Republished with permission from Health Advocate
Pride month is celebrated in June in honor of the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York City. During that event, the LGBTQIA+ community protested for the right to socialize without harassment.
Today, Pride celebrations continue globally as jubilant expressions of how far the LGBTQIA+ community has come. The events also recognize the continued fight for equality and justice, drawing attention to the remaining disparities and discrimination many people still face, including obstacles to LGBTQIA+ people obtaining the healthcare they need.
Show your support and seek out resources if needed
Try these suggestions:
Attend Pride events. Participating in events provides a sense of community. Check local newspapers for events near you or find listings through LGBTQIA+ organizations such as pride.com or https://www.igta.org/events/pride-calendar.
Read books by members of the LGBTQIA+ community. You can browse your local library or look online to find fiction, non-fiction, and audiobooks about issues important to the LGBTQIA+ community, and written by LGBTQIA+ authors.
Donate to and/or volunteer with charities that support LGBTQIA+ issues.
Find resources for yourself or someone you know. Issues addressed may range from mental health and homelessness to discrimination. Check out these resources.
- The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) offers a comprehensive approach to health, wellness and inclusivity to help LGBTQIA+ individuals worldwide.
- The SAGE Project focuses on LGBTQIA+ elders, including helping them access senior care and find support.
- The Trevor Project offers crisis interventions and community resources for youth.
- PFLAG is an organization for LGBTQIA+ people, their parents, families, and allies. They offer virtual and in-person local support, including for members of the Black/African American, Latin/Latino and military communities.
How Health Advocate can help you
Our experts have received training on LGBTQIA+ issues so they can deliver the right information and support. If you are a Health Advocate member and need help, please reach out to us. We are committed to embracing diversity, equity and inclusion as we provide personalized support to improve your health and well-being.
If you are a Health Advocate member, depending on your Health Advocate services, you may have access to help with the following things:
- Getting answers to questions about employer-provided health benefits and those that apply to LGBTQIA+
- Locating LGBTQIA+-friendly providers and gender-affirming care matched to the member’s preferences
- Discussing treatment options and medical procedures and get help preparing for doctor visits
- Resolving medical billing issues; arranging appeals for coverage denials
- Providing coming-out support (at home and work)
- Accessing family and relationship counseling
- Getting help with gender identity/questioning and transition counseling
- Help finding LGBTQIA+ friendly support groups for individuals and family members
- Getting short and long-term counseling for stress, depression, and bullying
- And more!
Nextep clients: read more about your Nextep Health Advocate benefits here!
