Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health Resources: National LGBT Organizations

Produced by the National Library of Medicine, this MedlinePlus page offers information on health concerns of LGBT people, including overviews and news, clinical trials and research articles, and health information for specific populations.

This Healthy People 2020 goal is to improve the health, safety, and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals.

A guide to providing welcoming, safe, and inclusive healthcare environments for LGBT patients and their families, with a compilation of strategies, practice examples, resources, and testimonials. Published by the Joint Commission, which accredits and certifies health care organizations and programs in the United States.

First funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, this community-based project provides helpful resources for LGBT public health efforts on its website.

As part of our mission to advance LGBTQ+ health equity, GLMA produces and shares comprehensive LGBTQ+ health resources that cater to both healthcare providers and patients. For healthcare providers, GLMA provides evidence-based educational resources and training to help them provide competent, culturally responsive care to LGBTQ+ patients. For patients, GLMA offers a wealth of information and resources to help them navigate the healthcare system and find LGBTQ+ affirming healthcare providers.

These learning modules for health professionals offer Powerpoint presentations and handouts on areas of health concern including LGBT terminology, demographics, and welcoming environments; inclusive patient history taking and risk reduction counseling; health promotion and disease prevention; and separate modules on LGBT health care for youth, families, seniors, and transgender people.

Offers information and resources on health issues and inequities, with separate pages for gay and bisexual men, lesbian and bisexual women, transgender people, LGBT youth, and LGBT health services clinic information.

HHS works to ensure that LGBT Americans, families, and communities receive equal access to health services by providing enhanced resources for LGBT health issues; developing better information regarding LGBT health needs; and working to close the LGBT health disparities gap that currently exists.

Resources on the LGBTQI+ population include national survey reports, agency and federal initiatives, and related behavioral health resources.

The largest association of LGBT health professionals, GLMA supports research and advocacy, and provides consumer health information, including help with finding LGBT-friendly healthcare providers. GLMA initiatives include the Lesbian Health Fund, which funds research on a wide range of health issues, and (with the Human Rights Campaign Foundation) the Healthcare Equality Index, which evaluates healthcare facilities for equal and respectful treatment of LGBT patients and employees.

The Bisexual Resource Center was founded in 1985 by a group of bi activists after a regional conference. First named the East Coast Bisexual Network, it became a 501(c)3 in 1989 and was renamed in the mid-90s. The BRC is the oldest national bi+ organization in the U.S. that advocates for bisexual visibility and raises awareness about bisexuality throughout the LGBT and straight communities.

interACT uses innovative legal and other strategies, to advocate for the human rights of children born with intersex traits.

LGBT HealthLink, a program of CenterLink, is a community-driven national network of experts and professionals enhancing LGBT health by reducing health disparities within our communities.

The Sexual & Gender Minority Research Office (SGMRO) coordinates sexual and gender minority (SGM)–related research and activities by working directly with the NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices. The Office was officially established in September 2015 within the NIH Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI).

This national coalition for research, policy, programs and services has partnered with other organizations and federal and state agencies on a wide range of LGBT health issues such as hospital visitation rights and inclusion in federal health initiatives. The Resources page includes useful position papers and information resources on areas such as health disparities, data collection, and the Affordable Care Act.

Fenway Health, a major health provider in the Boston area, houses the Fenway Institute, which undertakes LGBT health research, health education, and public advocacy. The website is an excellent resource on LGBT health information for health professionals. A recent grant to the Fenway Institute from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration will fund the creation of a national training and technical assistance center for LGBT health issues.

The LBGT PA Caucus provides education, advocacy, and professional networking. Efforts we believe are essential to Healthcare Equality for LGBT patients, and achieving our full potentials as LGBT people.

UCSF’s Center of Excellence for Transgender Health (Trans CoE) formed in 2009 and has a mission to increase access to comprehensive, effective, and affirming health care services for trans and gender diverse communities. The Trans CoE’s goal is to improve the overall health and well-being of transgender and gender diverse individuals by developing and implementing programs in response to community-identified needs. The Trans CoE actively engages a national advisory board of transgender leaders from throughout the country.

As an international interdisciplinary, professional organization, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) will work to further the understanding and treatment of gender dysphoria by professionals in medicine, psychology, law, social work, counseling, psychotherapy, family studies, sociology, anthropology, sexology, speech and voice therapy, and other related fields.

In honor of Pride Month 2021, the team at NurseJournal.org created an important guide that provides assistance for caring for LGBTQ+ patients and how to foster a more inclusive environment, including pronoun usage, intersectionality, and effective methods for patient support.

Substance abuse and addiction rates in the LGBTQ+ community are higher than in any other sector of society. Societal stigma, discrimination, mental and physical abuse, and and co-occurring mental health disorders are just a few of the unique substance abuse triggers among this population. The good news, however, is that LGBTQ+ resources for addiction and mental health are readily available to help members of this community conquer substance abuse.