Building Inclusive, Affirming Care for LGBTQIA+ Patients

Understanding terms that patients may use to identify themselves is an easy first step to improving patient care. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transg­­­ender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual/aromatic/agender (LGBTQIA+) — with the plus sign referring to any nonheterosexual/noncisgender identities that are not explicitly listed in previous terminology — is a frequently used acronym. These terms are not exhaustive as there are many nuances that continue to evolve as patients’ identities do. These terms serve as a foundation to build an understanding of LGBTQIA+ patients and their identities to facilitate respectful communications (Table 1).

Sexual orientation, biological sex, gender identity, and gender expression are all spectrum-based components of LGBTQIA+ terminology. Sexual orientation describes sexual or romantic attraction to others.¹ Terms used to describe sexual orientation include heterosexual, homosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, pansexual, etc.

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* References and figures can be found in the original article via the link above.