We encourage people to contact their representatives and talk with them about their views on this and other subjects. Keep in mind that many LGBT people are resilient and strong, having weathered being treated poorly, and have developed strengths, such as culture, humor, community organizing. Coming out is an ongoing health issue, as that process continues throughout life. Identifying a support network is important for college students planning to come out to their families. At the same time, prejudice, ignorance, and fear may mean that a LGBT student has avoided using health services and may have later diagnosis for a health condition.
Women often access health services through gynecology, seeking birth control.
For women who partner only with women, birth control is of course not needed, and therefore a student may not have a routine gyn exam, missing out on her Pap smear and clinical breast exam. Gay or bisexual men, and transgender people, also often avoid using health services, until it is clear that services are culturally and clinically competent. At the RUHS we provide periodic training, designed and implemented by staff and students, to improve upon our care and services. We can all support the health of LGBT students by being active as members of the community or as allies, working to change the culture, prejudices, and institutional barriers to health. Working with legislators to pass Hate Crimes legislation, and working for benefits equal to those provided to heterosexual colleagues is crucial to health.