Vancouver Pride week is well under way, with dozens of events aimed at strengthening the sense of togetherness, health and overall well-being of the 2SLGBTQAI+ community and it’s allies. While Evolve and many other health and wellness clinics believe in providing quality, compassionate care to everyone regardless of sexual orientation, gender, race, or other socio-economic status, many health care providers do not maintain that same commitment. This can have a huge impact on the mental health and wellness of members if the 2SLGBTQAI+ community. Below is a breakdown some of the top health disparities facing LGBTQIA+ communities, and insight on what you can do to navigate these disparities as an LGBTQIA+ person, as well as an LGBTQIA+ ally.

We all deserve compassionate, medically accurate, informed healthcare

If you’re reading this, hopefully you agree with that statement full-heartedly. Unfortunately, members of LGBTQIA+ communities do not always receive that kind of care.

“Despite the progress we have made as a country toward granting equal rights to those who identify as LGBTQ+, this community continues to experience worse health outcomes and reduced access to care when compared to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts,” says Brentton Lowery, PA-C.

Lowery is an AAHIVS certified specialist in HIV prevention and a sexual health and medical provider with Nurx.

There are a number of factors at play, such as higher rates of behavioral health issues, lower rates of insurance coverage, a lack of cultural competence in the medical setting, and, sadly, even outright discrimination on the part of some medical professionals, he says.

“These disparities are even more likely to impact LGBTQ+ individuals who are part of a racial or ethnic minority group.”

LGBTQIA+ health disparities are about systemic inequalities

As you read through this guide, keep in mind that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines health disparities as “preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health that are experienced by socially disadvantaged populations.”

So to be very clear: LGBTQIA+ communities are not innately more prone to the issues discussed below.

LGBTQIA+ communities have higher rates of things like anxiety, depression, and substance misuse due to systemic inequalities. These inequalities lead to worse care and worse health outcomes for LGBTQIA+ people.

Higher rates of anxiety

Across the board, LGBTQIA+ people have worse mental health outcomes compared to other communities. This includes anxiety.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) estimates that somewhere between 30 and 60 percent of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, or transgender people deal with anxiety and depression at some point in their lives.

That rate is 150 percent to 200 percent higher than that of their straight or gender-conforming counterparts, the ADAA says.

Why? A combination of discrimination, bullying, and lack of acceptance, according to mental health professional Dr. Kryss Shane, LSW, LMSW, author of “The Educator’s Guide to LGBT+ Inclusion.”

What you can do to help as an ally

There’s no shortage of things you can do to support the well-being of LGBTQIA+ people. You can:

  • Create an atmosphere in which someone who is LGBTQIA+ feels safe sharing information about their identity with you.
  • Believe people when they share their identity with you.
  • Actively fight for the rights of your LGBTQIA+ friends.

What you can do as an LGBTQIA+ person who wants to prevent this

If it’s safe for you to do so, you might consider sharing this information with those around you.

Why? “Being ready to be open [about your sexuality] and not being able to be — due to family, society, career — can lead to having to live a double life,” says Shane.

“Having to keep that type of secret and having to always live in fear of being discovered can be exhausting and result in anxiety.” she says.

Other things you can do to reduce anxiety:

Higher rates of depression

The National Institute of Mental Health says that out of the entire US population, about 7 percent of people will have a bout of depression at least once in their life.

For LGBTQIA+ communities, that rate is much higher. The advocacy group Human Rights Campaign found that 28 percent of LGBTQ youth, and 40 percent of transgender youth, report depressive symptoms some or all of the time.

Kids may be especially prone to depression, according to educators, due to a combination of the below:

  • lack of representation in school, media, or peers
  • lack of access to language to name what they are experiencing and who they are
  • lack of access to community

What you can do to help as an ally

Ask yourself what you can do to unlearn the narrative that someone is cisgender and straight unless “proven” otherwise.

“Straightness and cis-ness are still assumed until an LGBTQ+ person announces otherwise,” says Jesse Kahn, LCSW, CST, director and sex therapist at The Gender & Sexuality Therapy Center in New York City. “For some people that means having to hide or shield parts of themselves in all, a variety of, or in certain situations.” This can be painful, difficult, or fragmenting.

As an ally, you can do things like use gender-neutral language and pronouns until a person shares their gender and dating preferences with you.

You can also:

  • Implement clear policies against discrimination in your places of work and play.
  • Donate to LGBTQIA+ support groups.
  • Include LGBTQIA+ topics in your media consumption.

What you can do as an LGBTQIA+ person who wants to prevent this

If you’re in a dark place, you can:

  • Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or healthcare professional.
  • Stay with a person you can be yourself with.
  • Ring a crisis or suicide prevention hotline.

Where to learn more

These health disparities are just the tip of the health disparity iceberg for queer people.

To continue learning more about the health disparities LGBTQIA+ individuals face, check out the following resources:

Pride can be a great time to tap into support resources. Many community organizations engage in outreach efforts during this time.

“Pride is an opportunity to get out information about what’s available in communities. Educate yourself, find your resources, and do not ever think that you’re by yourself,” said Kat Hammer, a licensed clinical social worker.

Below are a list of resources available in BC and Canada. Depending on where you’re located, there may be local organizations that offer mental health services or social support to members of LGBTQAIS2+communities in your area:

  • Qmunity, BC’s queer, trans and two-spirit resource centre. They have created a community where LGBTQAIS2+ folx can come together to meet, guide, and support each other.
  • Vancouver Pride Society strives to produce inclusive, celebratory events, and advocate for LGBTQAI2S+ communities through an intersectional lens.
  • Pride at Work empowers Canadian employers to build workplaces that celebrate all employees regardless of gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Since many of us spend 40+ hours a week at work, it is imperative that work places provide a safe and inclusive space for all employees.
  • Youth Line offers confidential and non-judgemental peer support through our telephone, text and chat services.
  • The Native Youth Sexual Health Network (NYSHN) is an organization by and for Indigenous youth that works across issues of sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice.
  • Trans Lifeline is a nonprofit organization that runs a peer trans support hotline.

If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or another mental health condition, talk with a doctor as soon as possible. They can refer you to a mental health specialist for counseling or other treatment.

“The process of counselling can decrease isolation and provide a safe space to express concerns,” said Hammer, “but it’s also important for people to ensure that they find a therapist that makes them feel safe and that they feel a connection with. They should try people out, and if someone doesn’t feel good, trust that.”

At Evolve Wellness Centre, we strive to be a safe and inclusive space for everyone, regardless of gender, race, sexual-orientation or expression. If you are struggling and in need of support, email us at info@evolvevancouver.ca to book an appointment with Registered Professional Counselor, Deedee Poyner. Deedee offers both counselling and breathwork sessions as a way to help her clients move through challenges and find healing and support.

Please note that any advice in this article doesn’t replace personalized medical advice from a professional.