Coming out as LGBTQ to your health care professional

By Mayo Clinic Health System staff

Pride Month is celebrated each June to commemorate the impact that LGBTQ, or gender-nonconforming people have had — and continue to have — on society. While millions may celebrate, many members of the LGBTQ community continue to experience stigma and keep their identity hidden. That may mean not sharing their sexual identity or orientation with their health care professional.

Natalie Erbs, M.D., a family medicine physician at Mayo Clinic, says it's important information to share to ensure everyone gets the best care possible.

When filling out forms before seeing your health care professional, you might see a line asking about your sexual orientation or gender identity.

"Sometimes it's hard to say the words out loud, but it's much easier to click a button. But again, we want to know that about you to get you the right care and get you to the right place," says Dr. Erbs.

But why does it matter?

"We want to know that about you so that we can get you the right care and get you to the right place," Dr. Erbs says.

Talking about sexual behaviors is essential when it comes to your health.

"It affects what type of screenings you might need for certain sexually transmitted infections, depending on the type of sex you're having, and what exposures you might have to other things like HIV," says Dr. Erbs. "Some of my patients might qualify to be put on HIV prophylaxis to prevent HIV, depending on the type of sex and who they're having sex with."

Dr. Erbs says she hopes you choose to come out to your health care professional.

"We in Primary Care want to see you, and we want to know about you and get to know you as a person," says Dr. Erbs.

Read more about issues affecting the LGBTQ community:

• During uncertain times, trust your primary care provider
• Current sexually transmitted infection trends
• Advocating for transgender children's health care
• Health concerns for transgender people