LGBTQ+ Nursing And Healthcare Organizations To Join Or Support

LGBTQ+ patients face real inequities in healthcare: discrimination, barriers to access, and providers who were never trained to meet their needs. Delivering competent care to this community is part of your job, and several organizations exist to support that work through advocacy, research, and education. Here are 10 worth knowing, with how each one accepts support.

These groups focus on better healthcare access, reducing health disparities, HIV prevention and care, protecting LGBTQ+ elders, anti-bullying work in schools, and legislative advocacy. The American Nurses Association backs this directly: its 2019 position statement commits nurses to eliminating health disparities and discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

10 Organizations to Join or Support

Black Trans Advocacy Coalition (BTAC) advocates for Black transgender equality across health, housing, and employment. Support it through the FOLX Health Transgender Hormone Replacement Therapy Fund, which helps trans, nonbinary, and intersex people access hormone therapy.

Gay & Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) has a 30-year record of advocacy and education for LGBTQ+ healthcare. Its Lesbian Health Fund supports research on reproductive health, osteoporosis, stress, domestic violence, and STI prevention.

The Fenway Institute runs policy research, health education, and care programs for sexual and gender minorities and people affected by HIV, including protections for LGBTQ+ elders. Support it through a donation to Fenway Health.

National Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Addiction Professionals and Their Allies (NALGAP) was founded in 1979 to address substance misuse and addiction in the LGBTQ+ community. It offers training and networking, and you can support it by attending its events.

HealthHIV is a national nonprofit that trains providers on HIV prevention and care and runs programs for related issues like hepatitis C. It offers certification in HIV primary care and prevention. Support it by joining the National Coalition for LGBTQ Health.

National LGBTQ Cancer Network educates the community on elevated cancer risks and early screening, trains providers, and offers cultural competency training. Join its mailing list to track its advocacy and training.

LGBT HealthLink is a national network of providers working to reduce health disparities through grassroots collaboration between community organizations and public health systems. Follow its HealthLink News page to stay current.

PFLAG was founded in 1973 and is the largest organization for LGBTQ+ people and their families, with hundreds of chapters and more than 250,000 members. It runs newsletters, a student scholarship, and an online learning community. Membership starts at a $50 donation.

Human Rights Campaign Foundation was started in 1984 and works on LGBTQ+ rights through public education, research, and policy change at local, state, national, and international levels. Get involved through its newsletter, conferences, or donations.

The Trevor Project is the largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention group for LGBTQ+ young people. It estimates more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ young people consider suicide each year, and its counselors are available 24/7. Support it with a one-time or recurring gift.

This article touches on suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to a crisis line or a trusted professional for support.