When it comes to health equity, ensuring that individuals within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning — or LGBTQ+ — community receive adequate health care is essential. Unfortunately, health disparities, social stigma and discriminatory practices often negatively impact this community, making it difficult for them to receive necessary care. At Michigan Medicine, various providers work to bring gender-affirming and other forms of equitable care to patients on a daily basis. In a recent conversation, three of these individuals, Geoffrey Barnes, M.D., a cardiologist and vascular medicine specialist, Katherine McConville, M.A., CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist and Amy Jacobs, LMSW, a social worker and mental health expert, shared their perspectives on these issues.
