Demand that California continue to fund $15 million for the LBTQ Health Equity Fund to prioritize the health of LBTQ people.
LBTQ people have for far too long been invisible in healthcare settings despite significant health disparities. This population has historically faced significant barriers to accessing health care, including anti-LGBTQ bias and insufficient access to culturally appropriate care, particularly for preventive services like mammography and other cancer screenings. Further, few funding sources exist that specifically target LBTQ women, non-binary people and trans men, and there is currently an alarming lack of medical services and research tailored to the medical needs of LBTQ people.
LBTQ women are an underserved population facing significant health disparities throughout their lives compared to heterosexual women. Important factors that affect LBTQ women’s access to health care include experiences of discrimination, higher rates of poverty (especially among bisexual women and women of color, and lack of access to effective, culturally appropriate healthcare options tailored for LBTQ patients, which includes lack of knowledge and comfort regarding transgender care. Many trans men retain their uteruses, and they may still require gynecological care. However, they often report discomfort or discrimination when seeking care. For trans men who are sexually active and do not wish to become pregnant, access to contraception can be challenging. Some may fear being misgendered or may have concerns about their ability to carry a pregnancy due to their transition. It is time for California legislators to prioritize LBTQ persons’ health.
Ask the Legislature to revert the rescission with two years to spend out the remainder of the funding, or until June 30 2027, and to approve the request for $15 million in new funding.
Demand that California continue to fund $15 million for the LBTQ Health Equity Fund to prioritize the health of LBTQ people.
LBTQ people have for far too long been invisible in healthcare settings despite significant health disparities. This population has historically faced significant barriers to accessing health care, including anti-LGBTQ bias and insufficient access to culturally appropriate care, particularly for preventive services like mammography and other cancer screenings. Further, few funding sources exist that specifically target LBTQ women, non-binary people and trans men, and there is currently an alarming lack of medical services and research tailored to the medical needs of LBTQ people.
LBTQ women are an underserved population facing significant health disparities throughout their lives compared to heterosexual women. Important factors that affect LBTQ women’s access to health care include experiences of discrimination, higher rates of poverty (especially among bisexual women and women of color, and lack of access to effective, culturally appropriate healthcare options tailored for LBTQ patients, which includes lack of knowledge and comfort regarding transgender care. Many trans men retain their uteruses, and they may still require gynecological care. However, they often report discomfort or discrimination when seeking care. For trans men who are sexually active and do not wish to become pregnant, access to contraception can be challenging. Some may fear being misgendered or may have concerns about their ability to carry a pregnancy due to their transition. It is time for California legislators to prioritize LBTQ persons’ health.
Ask the Legislature to revert the rescission with two years to spend out the remainder of the funding, or until June 30 2027, and to approve the request for $15 million in new funding.