Coming Out To Your Doctor

Why you should come out to your doctor.

You may not feel comfortable coming out to your doctor, but there are specific gay health concerns (beyond HIV) that need to be addressed, such as HPV and anal cancer, hepatitis and syphilis. Coming out to your doctor gives you an opportunity to be more open about your life as it relates to your health and better discuss a plan to stay healthy. Doctors have an obligation to maintain patient confidentiality, so arm them with the information they need to better manage your care.

What to do if your doctor is not gay friendly.

Coming out to your doctor is about taking better care of your health. Know that some medical professionals are less gay-affirmative than others and may not provide advice (or a bedside manner) suitable for LGBT people. A friend recently came down with a severe flu. He went to his general doctor (of years) expecting a routine diagnosis. She callously asked if he was gay and (without diagnosing him) recommended he visit the nearest HIV clinic. He left the office in a panic—an unnecessary one. A second opinion confirmed that his illness was in fact the flu and not HIV.

Not all medical professionals are this callous when it comes to gay patients. Most are aware that being gay is not synonymous with HIV. By coming out to your doctor early, you can assess how receptive (and sensitive) they are to gay health concerns before you need them in an emergency.

Finding a gay-affirmative doctor.

These quick steps can help you find a gay-friendly doctor in your area.