Queering nursing curricula: Understanding and increasing attention to LGBTQIA plus health needs

Background: The LGBTQIA+ community has a long history of marginalization, disenfranchisement, and structural violence within the healthcare sector. Sexual and gender minority individuals may be wary of disclosing sexuality-related information to providers, and providers may not have received education on creating therapeutic relationships with these individuals. Purpose: This paper explores factors that shape LGBTQIA+ individuals' daily lives and how these may influence care encounters. We argue for broadening nursing education to incorporate more specific and efficacious LGBTQIA+ education. Discussion: We propose that consideration of LGBTQIA+ care in nursing education is an important means of meeting the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing. We further suggest specific strategies for so doing. Conclusion: Attending to the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ populations when developing and planning nursing education activities assures that newly-graduated nurses can be safe, effective, and nonjudgmental providers of care to a variety of populations.