Rainbow Flashcards
Discuss different outcomes
LGBTQIA+ individuals tend to experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, substance misuse, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicide due to societal stigma and discrimination, including within the healthcare system.
Discuss discrimination
- Harming: Treating as if heterosexual or cis-gendered
- Intrusive questioning: Although some questions are essential and okay to ask
- Expressing judgement: Projecting one’s own morals and values
- Making negative, clichéd assumptions
- Exacerbating family estrangement
- Refusing to acknowledge trans identity and pronouns
Discuss key queer and health organisations
- Canberra Sexual Health Centre
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Meridian:
- Peer-led, community-controlled organisation
- Provides sexual health education, prevention, and targeted health promotion activities
- Offers low and no-cost counselling and mental health support
Other Key Organisations:
- A Gender Agenda (AGA)
- Canberra Gay and Lesbian Qwire
- Parentlink
- Qlife
- ReachOut
- SpringOut
Discuss general tips, STI testing advice and special considerations
General Tips for the Clinic
- Never assume someone’s gender or sexual orientation
- Be comfortable asking questions: It’s okay to ask
STI Testing Advice
- Ensure correct pronouns and names are used
- Offer screening based on anatomy and sexual practices
- E.g., people with a neovagina (surgically created vagina) should be offered first-pass urine testing over vaginal swab
Special Considerations for Different Populations
- Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Diverse People:
- Awareness of terms like cis and trans gender, top surgery, and bottom surgery
- Limited data on STI rates; screening should be based on anatomy and sexual practices
-
Women Who Have Sex with Women (WSW):
- STI rates are similar but vary depending on sexual practices
- BV is more common in WSW
- Mental health concerns are more prevalent
-
Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM):
- Higher rates of STIs; frequent testing is important
- Awareness of PrEP and PEP for HIV prevention