Providing care to LGBTIQ+ communities

​​​On this page

1. For health professionals
2. For health organisations

For health professionals

When each of our diverse needs and experiences are understood and respected, and we are supported to be healthy, safe and well, everyone is able to make a positive and productive contribution to our communities.

When providing care to LGBTIQ+ people it is important to:

• recognise and respect the diversity of bodies, genders and sexualities in all people
• respect people’s rights to affirm their gender as is authentic and meaningful to them
• use gender neutral language where appropriate
• use a person’s preferred name and pronoun
• show empathy for the impact that stigma, discrimination and prejudice might have on an individual or communities
• acknowledge that trauma may be a factor for LGBTIQ+ people
• remember that race, ethnicity, religion, age, class and professional identities will be important in understanding any support needs.

You can further build your own and colleagues’ capabilities and confidence to deliver and improve inclusive health practice through:

• reading the NSW LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy and First Phase Implementation Plan
• accessing education and training materials, both within and outside of NSW Health, on LGBTIQ+ health experiences and needs
• including your pronouns in your Microsoft 365's profile, email signature, on your name tag and when introducing yourself
• showing support by using pins, lanyards, flags, posters and other materials to indicate a safe, inclusive healthcare service or space, and ensure co-workers are well informed about what this means for the organisation, individuals and LGBTIQ+ communities
• joining or starting a local Pride network.

Further information

• ACON – Video on healthcare experiences of people with a diverse gender and sexuality
• TransHub Talks – Video on Healthcare experiences
• TransHub - 10 tips for clinicians working with trans and gender diverse people
• Intersex Human Rights Australia - Inclusion guide to respecting people with intersex variations
• NSW Health Diversity and Inclusion poster

For health organisations

As a health organisation, you can support inclusive health practice through actions such as:

• reading the NSW LGBTIQ+ Health Strategy and First Phase Implementation Plan and:
• conducting an audit of how your health service is responding to LGBTIQ+ people’s needs
• identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement
• considering how internal and external partners could be involved in achieving the improvements
• considering how LGBTIQ+ communities can be meaningfully engaged
• assessing what resources and tools will be needed to build capability and confidence
• developing a service or organisation based local strategy to drive changes.
• reviewing clinical environments and considering ways to improve safety and trust for LGBTIQ+ people - this may include putting up posters, ensuring staff are aware of specialised referral services, reviewing intake processes/forms, collecting feedback from LGBTIQ+ communities and exploring formal accreditation opportunities
• identifying local LGBTIQ+ champions who can work with others to build an organisational culture where diversity is celebrated. Champions can be go-to people for expertise and advice, as well as a trustworthy person who can direct LGBTIQ+ colleagues and allies to support services when needed
• exploring opportunities to build relationships with LGBTIQ+ community organisations in your local area
• holding events for days of significance like Wear It Purple Day or Intersex Awareness Day to encourage your staff to learn more about diversity, inclusion and belonging in their work and the organisation, as well as to show support and solidarity with LGBTIQ+ colleagues
• considering implementation improvements in the design and operation of healthcare facilities to support LGBTIQ+ inclusion and safety.