LGBT

Question 1

What is sexual orientation?

Answer 1

Sexual orientation describes what gender you are attracted to depending on one’s feelings, behaviour and identity

Question 2

Can sexual orientation change?

Answer 2

• May be life-long / vary over a lifetime
• Can change but cannot be changed!

Question 3

What does MSM and WSW stand for?

Answer 3

• MSM – Men who have Sex with Men
• WSW – Women who have Sex with Women

Question 4

Outline the gender binary model

Answer 4

• Two separate categories: male and female
• Clearly distinguished by anatomy
• Men should look and act masculine
• Women should look and act feminine

Question 5

Discuss diversity in the gender binary model

Answer 5

There is a whole rainbow spectrum of diversity when it comes to gender in terms of anatomy, gender identity and gender expression

Question 6

Define gender identity

Answer 6

Gender identity is someone’s internal perception and experience of their gender

Question 7

What is a gender role or gender expression?

Answer 7

Gender role or expression is the way the person lives in society and interacts with others

Question 8

What is transgender?

Answer 8

• Transgender is an umbrella term for those whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from their birth sex
• Includes transsexuals, transvestites, crossdressers and genderqueer

Question 9

Who is a transsexual person?

Answer 9

Transsexual person: someone who feels a consistent and overwhelming desire to transition and fulfil their life as a member of the opposite sex

Question 10

Are all trans people transsexual?

Answer 10

• No, some trans people undergo ‘gender reassignment’ under medical supervision
• Many trans people do not wish to surgically alter their bodies to ‘fit’ either gender category

Question 11

The LGBT population experience poorer health

Identify some LGBT problems with regards to healthcare

Answer 11

• 35% suffer anxiety
• 52% suffer depression
• 50% are smokers

Question 12

Why does the LGBT population experience poorer health?

Answer 12

The problems are not about being LGBT but about discrimination & marginalisation

Question 13

Identify 5 ways in which discrimination can lead to poorer health

Answer 13

• Increased stress
• Low self esteem
• Isolation
• Increased conflict
• Distrust of authorities

Question 14

State 5 examples of the poor experiences of LGBT people in heathcare

Answer 14

• Prejudice
• Lack of confidentiality
• Refusal pap smears for lesbians
• Inappropriate questions & comments
• GP reluctance to help trans people with their trans orientation

Question 15

With regards to identity, how can one be a good doctor to LGBT people?

Answer 15

• Validate patient’s identity: more than being ‘neutral’

- Do not pathologise or moralise patient’s identity

• Be able to distinguish between patient’s problems and their identity

Question 16

How can one be a good doctor to LGBT people in terms of:

• Knowledge
• Respect
• Confidentiality

Answer 16

• Knowledge: don’t rely on patient for information; do your homework
• Respect patient’s lifestyle & identity: do not show inappropriate, prurient interest
• Confidentiality: Don’t out them without their consent

Question 17

Identify 3 examples of assumptions & stereotypes and how they affect healthcare

Answer 17

• Assuming a patient has an opposite sex partner
• Assuming a married man does not have anal sex or does not need an STI test
• Assuming a butch-looking woman doesn’t need contraception

Question 18

What are one’s professional duties in healthcare?

Answer 18

• Do not let your views prejudice treatment
• Challenge colleagues’ behaviour

Question 19

What are one’s legal duties in healthcare?

Answer 19

• Tomorrow’s Doctors 2009: respect all patients, colleagues and others regardless of their sexual orientation
• Equality Act 2010: illegal to discriminate on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. In provision of goods & services, in education & in the workplace