Affirming Practices With LGBTQIA plus Patients Seeking Speech and Hearing Care

Due to heightened risks of healthcare discrimination as well as ongoing worldwide attacks on their rights and liberties, LGBTQIA+ people need safe and affirming environments to access their medical care. Studies have found that 8% of all LGBTQ individuals and 22% of transgender individuals avoid seeking health care when they need it due to fears of discrimination. Audiologists and speech pathologists must take a hard look at their practices to ensure that both LGBTQIA+ patients and staff are welcome, safe, and affirmed. This article proposes both short- and long-term interventions to patient interactions, office environments, and patient paperwork that can be easily implemented in most practices to ensure that LGBTQIA+ individuals are safe and comfortable to seek the care they need.