Breaking Down Bias: How Healthcare Providers Can Improve LGBTQ+ Patient Care

This blog post is part of a series recognizing National LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week on March 17-21, 2025. THMS believes “everybody deserves a healthy body,” and we offer professional development and training in support of providers to accomplish this. 

Healthcare providers enter their field with a shared mission: to help, heal, and support every person who walks through their doors. Yet for many LGBTQ+ individuals, seeking medical or mental health care comes with anxiety—not just about their symptoms, but about how they will be treated. 

This isn’t necessarily because a provider has been overtly discriminatory. Rather, it’s the result of a long history of medical mistreatment, bias, and exclusion that has left many LGBTQ+ patients feeling unsafe in healthcare settings. 

All providers should be intentional to provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals. Cis-het providers and those who identify as LGBTQ+ may not recognize their personal biases that may stand in the way of affirming care.So, what can you do? How can you move beyond general acceptance and create a space where LGBTQ+ individuals feel truly affirmed and cared for? 

Acknowledge the Fear—Even If You Haven’t Been the Cause 

Imagine you’re about to see a new doctor, but before you even step into the room, you’re already on edge—unsure if your identity will affect the care you receive. This is the reality for many LGBTQ+ individuals. 

Studies show that nearly 50% of LGBTQ+ people have faced discrimination in healthcare (KFF, 2022). Some have been denied care outright. Others have had their concerns dismissed or been treated differently once their sexual orientation or gender identity was known. Even those who have never had a bad personal experience know someone who has. 

As a provider, you might think, “I would never discriminate,” and that may be true. But the fear doesn’t come from you—it comes from lived experiences and a broken system. 

Instead of feeling defensive, recognize this reality and actively communicate that your space is safe—not just through words, but through action. 

See the Whole Person—Not Just Their Orientation or Identity LGBTQ+ patients are often put in a double bind: 

  • Some providers hyper-focus on their sexual orientation or gender identity, assuming every health issue ties back to it. 
  • Others ignore it entirely, acting as though it’s irrelevant to care.

Both approaches miss the mark. 

Sexual orientation and gender identity can impact health—whether it’s through increased mental health stress, higher risks for conditions like HIV, or the effects of gender-affirming treatments. But they don’t define the entire patient experience. 

Affirming care means seeing LGBTQ+ individuals as whole people. It means asking thoughtful, inclusive questions while also recognizing that their identity may not always be the most relevant factor in their health concerns. 

A good approach is to ask rather than assume: 

  • “Is there anything about your identity that you feel is important for me to know as your provider?”
  • “Would you like to discuss how your relationships, identity, or experiences might be impacting your mental health?” 

This allows patients to share what matters most—without forcing them into a conversation they aren’t comfortable with. 

Assess Your Own Biases—We All Have Them 

Bias isn’t just about overt discrimination. It’s often unconscious, shaped by societal norms, personal upbringing, and even medical training. 

Take a moment to reflect: 

  • Do you feel more comfortable working with certain patients than others? 
  • Have you ever assumed a patient’s gender based on their appearance? 
  • Do you feel uncertain or hesitant when discussing LGBTQ+ issues in a healthcare setting? Self-awareness is the first step. If you’re unsure where to start, consider: 
  • Taking an implicit bias test (Harvard’s Project Implicit has a great one). 
  • Seeking out LGBTQ+ competency training (many medical organizations offer them). ● Practicing gender-neutral language in patient interactions (“partner” instead of “husband/wife” until a patient clarifies). 

No one is perfect—but intentional, consistent effort makes a difference. 

Healthcare Should Heal, Not Harm 

LGBTQ+ individuals shouldn’t have to enter a doctor’s office or therapy session feeling like they have to defend or hide their identity. A truly affirming provider understands that creating a safe space requires more than good intentions—it requires awareness, action, and a commitment to ongoing learning.

Whether you’re a provider, an ally, or an LGBTQ+ person navigating the healthcare system, you have the power to make healthcare more inclusive, more respectful, and more effective for everyone. Let’s build a world where every patient—regardless of identity—feels seen, heard, and cared for. #LGBTQHealth #AffirmingCare #InclusiveHealthcare #HealthEquity

THMS Youth Leader Shares Team-Building and Leadership Tips

When it comes to fostering leadership and team building among young advocates, few people understand the process better than Iesha Hayes, Youth Advocacy and Engagement Coordinator at THMS. What makes her story unique? Iesha isn’t just a staff member—she’s a former youth partner herself. Rising from a participant in the Mind Elevation Project in 2019 to a leadership role today, Iesha’s journey exemplifies the power of mentorship and community engagement.

In a recent reflection, Iesha shared her insights and innovative strategies for developing leadership and teamwork skills during the MYCouncil Orientation, a weekend dedicated to preparing young people for a year of advocacy and policy work. Here’s how she’s transforming traditional approaches into dynamic, empowering experiences.

My Journey With Depression

by Amber Helsel

This Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to have a candid moment about dealing with depression in the hope of helping others who may be struggling. I also want to share the power of therapy in helping me cope. This is part 1 of a 2-part series focused on mental health and the power of therapy.

Near the end of my first year of college at the University of Mississippi, I experienced my first bout of major depression. Since I had a single dorm room, I was lonely for most of the year. The loneliness didn’t bother me until I started dealing with issues that cropped up in my personal relationships. I cried for about two weeks straight near the end of the school year, and up until a few years ago, I didn’t understand why.

2024 Update: All About the FDA-Approved Birth Control Pill

Opill is now available at stores across the country and doesn’t require a doctor’s prescription!

Ever since the birth control pill first came onto the market in the 1970s, women and girls have had to get a prescription from their doctor. For those in under-resourced and underfunded communities, this can present a challenge. Women in those areas are less likely to have access to effective birth control methods than those in other communities, and Mississippi has the highest rate of teen birth in the U.S.

However, a drug approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has made accessing contraception easier. In July 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Opill, an over-the-counter method of birth control. It is now available online and in stores.

Welcome, SHARE Youth Advisory Council Members!

Say hello to our newest group of youth and young adult partners in the SHARE (Sexual Health for Adolescents Rooted in Equity) Youth Advisory Council!

Comprised of bright minds aged 15-24 hailing from all corners of Mississippi—from the Gulf Coast to Desoto County—this diverse group of young leaders is ready to make a difference in their communities!

Navigating Consent: A Simple Guide by Mariaha

Hey there, everyone! I’m Mariaha. The ME. Project Coordinator here at Teen Health Mississippi, and today, we’re diving into a topic that’s been buzzing around a lot lately—consent.

Mississippi Youth Council Hosts 10th Annual Capitol Day

On February 29, 2024, the Mississippi Youth Council (MYCouncil), a project of Teen Health Mississippi, will host its 10th annual Capitol Day, which will feature a press conference, legislative luncheon, and a tabling event at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson.

MYCouncil is a group of youth, ages 15-24, from across Mississippi that advocates for equitable health outcomes of Mississippi youth, such as high-quality sex education, youth-friendly healthcare, and sexual and reproductive and mental health resources. MYCouncil members will be meeting with state lawmakers throughout Capitol Day to advocate for issues that matter to them and what changes our legislature can make so that youth and communities can attain equitable health outcomes. MYCouncil is working to educate our legislators about their experiences, thoughts, and desires on issues that impact young people in our state.

Teen Health Mississippi Unveils New Vision for Holistic Youth Well-Being


Teen Health Mississippi (THMS) proudly announces the launch of its transformative mission and vision, signaling a significant shift towards equitable health outcomes for youth and communities through a comprehensive and holistic approach to youth well-being.

The Journey Towards Holistic Well-being

Founded with a focus on sex education and youth-friendly health care, THMS recognizes the necessity to embrace holistic approaches to address the myriad challenges faced by young people. The organization will now actively pursue equitable and supportive healthcare, community- and school-based sex education, mental health supports, innovation in youth-led programming, youth advocacy, workforce development, and leadership/life skills for all youth, including justice-involved and expectant/parenting youth.

Dr. Hope Crenshaw, Executive Director of Teen Health Mississippi, emphasizes the importance of providing resources and information to support youth on their journey to adulthood.

Giving Back for Healthy Youth and Whole Communities


This has been a good, busy, and at times challenging year for Teen Health Mississippi (THMS). Mississippi has had a year with tough moments, including the state legislature passing a law to take out the expiration date on the current sex ed law to the tornadoes in Rolling Fork and Silver City that affected communities we serve in the Delta. Even so, we pushed forward in our work to connect more youth and their communities to a variety of supports, ranging from mental and sexual health support to financial support. 

A Guide To Healthy Relationships

By A’Davion Bush, Youth Partner


Our personal lives are affected by the quality of relationships we have with our partners, family, and close friends. This is why we often look to other people for relationship advice. This is especially true for younger people who are looking for healthy relationships and advice on modern dating.