| Abstract: | Women who are in the sexual minority or are gender nonconforming experience more physical and mental health disparities compared with those in the sexual majority. Individuals in the minority have reported a fear of being judged or a feeling of being invisible to health care providers. Many nurses believe that they treat all patients the same, but they may be unaware of the special cultural needs of individuals in the minority. In this article, we describe health disparities experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) populations; explain definitions and terms to improve communication; and discuss best practices to provide inclusive environments for these individuals. We also discuss the process of coming out and how nurses can best meet the needs of individuals in the different stages of coming out. |
