4 Key Actions to Advocate for LGBTIQ+ Patients

Nurses have interfaced with the LGBTIQ+ community for as long as nursing has existed.

The nuanced language surrounding the LGBTIQ+ community continues to change in the 21st Century, and nurses should be at the forefront of treating LGBTIQ+ patients with the highest level of sensitivity and respect.

According to the Pew Research Center's 2019 study, The Global Divide on Homosexuality Persists, Australia is one of the top countries worldwide in terms of acceptance of homosexuality.

In light of this, here are four key actions towards being an even stronger nurse advocate for your LGBTIQ+ patients.

1. Never Assume

When a female patient approaches the nursing station and asks if her spouse will be able to accompany her into pre-op, do not automatically assume her spouse is male.

When a patient is admitted to your unit, do not assume what pronouns they would like to be addressed with. Instead, you can simply ask, 'What pronoun do you prefer we use when referring to you?... How do you like to be addressed?'

This removes assumption from the equation and gives the patient the power to educate you.

For any trans patient, do not assume they have had sex reassignment surgery. Trans people vary widely on the transition spectrum.

It takes sensitivity and a healthy nursing curiosity to navigate the needs of these patients. If you don’t make assumptions about what body parts a patient does or doesn’t have, the less room there is for embarrassment, awkwardness and a negative healthcare experience for the patient.

2. Be Curious and Respect Boundaries

Curiosity is natural, but be certain not to use a patient interaction to satisfy your own curiosity.

Questions like, 'Do you still have your original genitals?' or 'Do you date women or men?' may or may not be appropriate in all situations. Only ask questions that pertain to providing the care the patient seeks.

If you’re uncertain how to verbalise something important, ask polite questions. It’s also acceptable to plead ignorance and ask the patient to educate you.

For example, you can say, 'I’m new to working with the trans community. Can you help me understand your needs, the pronouns you use and how I can make this visit as comfortable for you as possible?'

If you work in a clinical setting that tests for and treats sexually transmitted infections (STIs), more invasive questions are generally expected by patients – however, tactfulness is still paramount.

3. Be Kind

No matter how tolerant your particular facility, city or country may be when it comes to LGBTIQ+ citizens, understand that discrimination and poor treatment happen everywhere.

As a healthcare provider, your job is to provide the highest level of care and an optimal outcome. In order to do that, you need to treat patients with the utmost kindness and humility, especially those who have a history of being oppressed.

If an LGBTIQ+ patient has experienced poor treatment in the past, your ability to provide a positive experience is powerful.

4. Be an Ally

You no doubt have some colleagues who are more attuned to changes in culture and society than others.

Those who negatively judge certain segments of the population may allow their beliefs or values to impact how they treat certain patients.

If you notice a lack of knowledge or sensitivity in your colleagues that may negatively impact patient care, you can intervene by informally educating them.

You can request that your workplace provide sensitivity training and other pertinent information, and you can become involved in efforts to create updated policies and procedures for the LGBTIQ+ patient community.

A Book Still Being Written

The stories of our communities, cities and countries are still being written. Likewise, the evolution of the LGBTIQ+ members of our societies is also still unfolding.

Nurses are at the forefront of patient care, and we can choose to be fierce advocates for LGBTIQ+ patients no matter what they need or who they are.