How to find LGBTQ+ Affirming Healthcare

First, check your insurance website, many insurance companies now include filters for LGBTQ+ care as a filter in their in-network provider search.

If your insurance doesn’t offer this filter, or that search tool is not easily accessible to you, there are a couple of health care directories that have been made for this specific purpose:

The LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory

The OutList® LGBTQ+ Affirming Healthcare Directory

Community is another great resource, ask trusted friends and family members for recommendations of LGBTQ+ friendly providers, reach out to local LGBTQ+ community centers to see if they have a list of local recommendations, also ask current trusted providers for recommendations of providers in other specialties that they can recommend (My therapist suggested my primary care provider to me, and it has been a great fit).

Reddit can be a great anonymous community to help you as well. One of my favorite ways to get recommendations is to simply search “LGBTQ+ Friendly Doctors in [My City] Reddit”. This won’t be a comprehensive list by any means, but should give a strong starting place and you can hear other’s experiences with the providers that they recommend.

When looking at Doctor’s Websites keep an eye out for clues that their office may be affirming, such as blog posts about LGTBQ+ topics, listing providers pronouns, or statements about being LGBTQ+ affirming.

You can use the following scripts and questions to ask a doctor's office about their LGBTQ+ friendliness. If you aren’t comfortable making the call yourself, ask a trusted friend or family member to make the call for you.

Option 1: Phone call

To the receptionist:

  • "I'm calling to inquire about the doctor's experience in caring for LGBTQ+ patients."

  • "Does the office have a nondiscrimination policy that includes sexual orientation and gender identity?"

  • "Does the office have gender-neutral restrooms?"

  • "Does the doctor regularly work with LGBTQ+ patients, or would a patient be one of the first with a specific identity marker?"

  • "Do you have any LGBTQ+ community staff members?"

Option 2: During an appointment (if you feel comfortable):

To the doctor:

  • "How experienced are you with providing care to the LGBTQ+ community, specifically those who identify in a certain way?"

  • "Do you regularly work with transgender patients?"

  • "What training have you done to serve LGBTQ+ people?"