Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,Transgender Nurses

Nurses General Nursing

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I have long searched for a LGBT nursing association. At least in Florida, none exists. What I did find was the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association--hold on--this is for ALL healthcare professionals. I went to their annual conference last week in Washington, DC. I was struck by the MDs their, almost all of whom are committed to a team model for health care--with a strong understanding that they are not "MDeities", but part of a team which includes the patient, the nurse, other health care professionals, and the doctor. The thing that was needed, however, was a MUCH stronger nursing presence, both for membership and for presentation of studies. I think there are a lot of us eager to join in and work in this direction. You don't have to be LGBT, just interested in working towards healthcare for the LGBT community. If interested, contact me--I will respond here or elsewhere. The LGBT presence needs to be strong in nursing and in healthcare in general!

Penny, edit out your email address. It is a violation of the TOS.

Do you have a link to a site you can post? I am very interested in this and would like to learn more.

The link is http://glma.org.

Hello Penny:

I am a student nurse and was interested in your post. I have joined the GLMA as a RN student (which I am). I believe I am the one of two GLBT members in my class of 100. (at least open). I want to bring information to my educators about any events, etc that I can talk about in the program. they are progressive in that they recognize diversity and have received grants based upon that.

What were some of the highlights of the conference in D.C.? also any interesting speakers, books, organizations, etc that were represented there that which you would share with me?

It seems there website does not display a lot of information about what they actually do.

thank you,

vincent

Specializes in ABMT.

Hot diggity, I didn't know such a thing existed. Thanks for the link to the website. Great resources there! I love "10 things trans persons should discuss with their providers." Some good educational stuff for patients.

I bet the conference was excellent. Anything you'd like to share about it?

Rebecca

A patient asked me once about gynecologic screening. During the course of the telephone conversation, he told me that he was a lady who had become a gentleman without surgery, but with hormonal treatments. He still had a uterus. His hilarious comment, "How would you like to have the only beard in a gynecologist's waiting room?" After speaking with others far smarter than I, it was advised that regardless of hormone therapies, the rule is to take care of it if you have it. When researching this situation, there was little credible literature available. I felt like health care providers had let people down. That was in 2003. Now, though, I don't feel that way. :yeah:

Vincent,

There were many, many presentations and workshops to choose from, as well as plenary sessions. The range is from genetics and sexual orientation, to addressing the actual research on the "downlow", to housing and healthcare issues for GLBT seniors in the UK (which is relevant here). Also, I would be happy to keep you posted on the developments with the Nursing Caucus.:specs::specs

A good deal of this was addressed in the recent conference, and our brand new President is Becky Allison, who is a MTF transgendered lesbian and a delight.

OK. You need to go to glma.org. Hopefully we will have more on the developing nursing caucus on their very soon!

One other thing: I see you have experience with Informatics. Interested in helping in that area?

Specializes in Family Medicine, Tele/Cardiac, Camp.

Tra-la! 2 years later and I stumble upon this post!

This is very exciting. I didn't know nurses could join the GLMA though I've been searching for providers through it for a couple of years now. More than once I've wished for a GLBTA for nurses.

I'm absolutely going to join.

Tra-la! 2 years later and I stumble upon this post!

This is very exciting. I didn't know nurses could join the GLMA though I've been searching for providers through it for a couple of years now. More than once I've wished for a GLBTA for nurses.

I'm absolutely going to join.

I'm bumping this, because I think it's an important resource for the health of a significant American population. What I am wandering about, is does anyone else have experience with GLMA? Is it really a good way to network (escpecially for students like myself), and any local chapters?

Specializes in Family Medicine, Tele/Cardiac, Camp.

I'm not sure why you're quoting me. Are these questions meant to be directed at me or in response to something I've written or are you addressing the community at large?

I haven't used the GLMA to network with other professionals (not yet!), so to speak, but I have used it to find my own care providers and sometimes through them I've gotten information or ideas about other care providers/support groups/communities, etc.

I guess what I'm trying say is that I've used it from the standpoint of a queer (I use that term for myself, sorry if it offends some of the older GLBTA's which I find it sometimes does) patient, but not as a health care professional. Again, at least not yet.

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