As the Corewell Health Executive Inclusion Champion for the Healthy Pride BRG, I had the honor of kicking off Pride Month with this blog...
According to a 2021 United States Census Bureau pulse survey, 9.6% of respondents identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual or something else (0.6% identified as transgender)1. This translates to approximately 1 out of every 10 of our colleagues identify as LGBTQIA+. Many of our colleagues are also patients of Corewell Health and have more than likely experienced some form of discrimination. A 2018 Harvard poll found that “nearly a sixth of LGBTQ adults have experienced discrimination at the doctor’s office or in another healthcare setting, while a fifth say they have avoided seeking medical care out of fear of discrimination2.” At Corewell Health, we cannot improve health, instill humanity, and inspire hope if our patients avoid seeking medical care.
Over the last several years, I have spent considerable time with this community and have heard countless stories of how they have been treated when seeking healthcare, from subtle microaggressions, to outright discrimination, and sometimes refusal of care. It truly hurts my heart to hear these stories, but it also fuels my passion to make it better! This is one reason why I chose to accept the Executive Inclusion Champion role because I knew it would allow me to influence change. Recently, I have also heard several positive stories which makes me hopeful that our hearts and minds are changing.
Our organization has developed or resourced many educational tools to improve our knowledge of the LGBTQIA+ community, their health disparities, and managing bias with cultural intelligence. I encourage each and every one of you to either start or continue to deepen your knowledge of the LGBTQIA+ community, because they are 10% of our colleagues and patients, and they deserve our respect and inclusion.
Lastly, it is Pride Month – a time to celebrate! Check out the Healthy Pride BRG page to view upcoming Pride events, join Healthy Pride, and/or discover the several volunteer opportunities across the state. Happy Pride, Healthy Pride!
Educational tools:
· The People Behind the Alphabet: LGBTQIA+ 101
· LGBTQIA+ Education for Providers
· LGBTQIA+ Education for Clinical Leaders/Team Members
· LGBTQIA+ Education for Non-Clinical Leaders/Team Members
· CQ Your Bias
· LGBTQ+ Patient-Centered Care Training Offered by HRC
· ELEVATE | Show Your Pride: What’s Your LGBTQIA+ Allyship Style?
Citations:
1. Census Bureau Survey Explores Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
2. Health care providers need better understanding of LGBTQ patients, Harvard forum says — Harvard Gazette
Director, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Petco
3wThank you for all you taught me. Michelle, you are as effective in one to one connections as you are facilitating learning for a thousand people. Both are necessary as we make the world more inclusive of trans and nonbinary people.