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Aubrey Gordon is the creator of Your Fat Friend, the co-host for the Maintenance Phase podcast and the author of two books, “You Just Need to Lose Weight” and 19 Other Myths about Fat People and What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat. Gordon’s writing critically examines the messaging around health, wellness and weight, particularly in the social and cultural environment in the United States. She writes in the introduction of What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat, “...fat people face overwhelming discrimination in employment, healthcare, transit, the treatment of eating disorders, and more.” (Gordon, pg. 5, 2020)

Gordon describes her body of work as fat justice which is distinct from body positivity. She acknowledges the benefits of the body positivity movement, but also notes that like many mainstream movements, it leaves the more marginalized members behind. “Acceptance is a step forward, but it’s a far cry from centering fat people’s humanity in our cruel and ceaseless conversations about fat bodies.”(Gordon, pg. 7, 2020)

What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat is a text that is accessible to many readers. Gordon uses a strong personal voice in each chapter. By drawing on her memories and experiences as a fat person, she shows the cruelty she and others face because of their weight. From those anecdotes, she extrapolates broader messages around weight and fatness and how those messages harm people in larger bodies. 

In the chapter ‘First, Do No Harm’ Gordon opens with a story about a negative medical appointment, one of many such disappointing appointments she experienced whenever she sought medical care. The chapter starts with the line “I was twenty-six years old the last time I saw a doctor.”(Gordon, pg. 139, 2020) From there, Gordon lays out what brought her to the doctor, the anxiety she experiences prior to her appointment and the defense mechanisms she relies on to endure the encounter. Near the end of the visit, Gordon describes a terse exchange where the doctor suggested she lose weight in response to her diagnosis of an ear infection. “He glared for a moment, heaved another sigh, then left, his door slam thwarted by the muted, slow work of the door’s quiet hinge. We were both frustrated, and neither of us got what we were looking for.”(Gordon, pg. 140, 2020) To contrast this opening story, she ends the chapter with a more recent appointment that was both cathartic and revelatory. “All the years of effort, all the machinations to avoid humiliation and erasure, and someone had finally noticed. Later that day, I realized that despite years of trying, no one had ever told me that I cared about my health. And I did. I do.” (Gordon, pg. 153, 2020)

Gordon also cites extensive research to support her claims in the book. She cites academic journals such as BMC Medicine, Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. She also pulls information from mainstream news and media outlets such as pop culture shows like Law & Order, The New York Times, Allure Magazine and the Chicago Tribune. As Gordon writes in the opening chapter, this book is “a mix of memoir, research, and cultural criticism…” (Gordon, pg. 4, 2020) The analysis in the book provides a much more complex portrayal of weight, dieting and weight stigma than what is often presented in mainstream media or in virtual spaces. 

What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat is a challenging, but worthwhile read. Gordon confronts common and harmful myths about weight and people living in larger bodies. She ties her work with the broader theme of body autonomy and her book ends on a hopeful note as she imagines a world that is not obsessed with weight loss or harmful dieting messaging. “I also believe that my life is worth living, worth embracing, worth loving, and celebrating. And it’s worth all of that now–not two hundred pounds from now.” (Gordon, pg. 161, 2020) For some readers, this book may be an introduction to concepts such as Health At Every Size, fat liberation, universal design and other ideas. For other readers, Gordon’s book may be an affirmation of their own lived experiences and a source they can rely on when engaging in these conversations with the people in their lives. Though this book is short, it is packed with information that will encourage you to reflect on the impacts of diet culture and how we can build a more holistically healthier society.

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Going to the doctor can be an anxiety-inducing experience. Regardless of how comfortable one is with their medical provider, the prospect of test results bearing bad news can make a routine visit understandably nerve-wracking. 

But what if one’s apprehension regarding medical care was due to other reasons? What if going to the doctor meant being called the wrong name and pronouns for the entire visit? What if your visit led to being grilled about your life and hobbies as if they’re to blame for whatever ails you? What if you had to change how you looked or dressed to get treatment?

Sadly, these experiences are not uncommon for adults who identify as LBGT. According to a new survey out of the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), one third of adults who identify as LBGT have experienced discrimination when they are treated by a health care provider. Negative experiences included but were not limited to:

  1. A provider assuming something about them without asking (1).
  2. A provider implying or suggesting they were to blame for a health problem (1).
  3. A provider ignoring or rejecting a request or question (1).

These negative experiences make patients less likely to seek care and can impact their health as a result. Even when LBGT adults continue to seek care despite these negative experiences, discrimination can lead to increased levels of anxiety or distress, which in turn can contribute to mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. Given that 46% of  LBGT adults report being unable to receive mental health services when they needed them in the last three years, this only worsens existing issues (1). 

LBGT patients are people, just like anyone else. Thankfully, there are things practitioners can do to provide a more welcoming attitude to  LBGT patients. 

  • Don’t assume one’s legal name and gender markers are what they use. Ask patients what they wish to be called by and what pronouns they want you to use. 
  • Don’t make assumptions: Never assume something about a patient just because they are LBGT. 
  • Have material in your office or medical facility that identifies your practice as a safe space. This can include patient materials about health concerns that disproportionately impact LBGT individuals, having a private policy on display, and showcasing rainbow stickers or signs that state the area is a safe space (4). 
  • Ensure your intake forms are inclusive. There are examples online one can use as templates like those available from Queering Medicine (3). 
  • Explicitly use inclusive language and images both in the office and on all social media. 

As pride month approaches, let’s work to ensure medicine is welcoming to all our patients, regardless of who they are. 

1.Survey: LGBT Adults Are Twice as Likely as Others to Say They’ve Been Treated Unfairly or with Disrespect by a Doctor or Other Health Care Provider. KFF. Published April 2, 2024. Accessed May 20, 2024. https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/press-release/survey-lgbt-adults-are-twice-as-likely-as-others-to-say-theyve-been-treated-unfairly-or-with-disrespect-by-a-doctor-or-other-health-care-provider/

2. Queering Medicine - Intake Form Guidance for Providers. Queering Medicine. Published July 8, 2021. Accessed May 20, 2024. https://www.queeringmedicine.com/resources/intake-form-guidance-for-providers

3.  Daniel H, Butkus R. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health Disparities: Executive Summary of a Policy Position Paper From the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2015;163(2):135-137. doi:10.7326/M14-2482

4. Bourns A, Kucharski E, Peterkin A, Risdon C, eds. Caring for LGBTQ2S People : A Clinical Guide. Second edition. University of Toronto Press; 2022.

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International Day of Women and Girls in Science is recognized every year on February 11th. It is a day to recognize the contributions women and girls have made to the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field, while also addressing the lack of gender diversity within various STEM-related professions. António Guterres, the Secretary General for the United Nations, wrote in his message honoring the day that “From climate change to health to artificial intelligence, the equal participation of women and girls in scientific discovery and innovation is the only way to ensure that science works for everyone.” (United Nations, 2024) While significant strides have been made in the representation of women in science and technology, there are barriers that must be dismantled to recruit more women into the field. 

According to data from the United States Census Bureau, from 1970 to 2019 the percentage of women in the STEM workforce increased from 8% to 27%. Men represented 73% of STEM workers in 2019. Despite the gains for women in the STEM workforce, they are not evenly distributed among the different career paths under the STEM umbrella. For example, women “made up nearly half of those in all math (47%) and life and physical science (45%) occupations” while “Women represented only about a quarter of computer workers and 15% of those in engineering occupations.” (United States Census Bureau, 2021) Pew Research Center data supplements this information. “Women earned 85% of the bachelor’s degrees in health-related fields, but just 22% in engineering and 19% in computer science as of 2018.” (Pew Research Center, 2021) For the women working in these careers, they often earn less money than their male colleagues. The median earnings for women in STEM careers was $66,200, while the median earnings for men was $90,000. (Pew Research Center, 2021)

Women in STEM frequently encounter additional personal and systemic challenges when they enter the career field. The 2020 documentary Picture a Scientist follows several women in different STEM-related careers. The women discuss why they entered into their respective fields, their research interests and some of the challenges they have encountered while working as a scientist. They speak candidly about workplace harassment, lack of institutional support and other barriers, shining a light on some of the harsh realities women face from their fellow colleagues or from professional organizations. Picture a Scientist is available to users through the Himmelfarb Library’s Streaming Video Collection and is worth watching to learn more about the experiences of women in STEM.  

International Day of Women & Girls in Science is an important day to draw more women interested in STEM and openly discuss effective strategies to keep women in the field. Having women in STEM positions will provide space for new perspectives and insights into technical and scientific issues currently facing the world. 

References:

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In 2022, Himmelfarb Library published a list of books to read by African-American authors in honor of Black History Month. The list featured authors across different genres such as Young Adult, Science-Fiction, Contemporary Fiction and more. We wish to revisit this list of recommendations and offer more titles that shine a light on the experience of African-Americans in the United States. 

  • Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward:  This novel follows Annis, a teenager living through the system of slavery in the United States as she is forced from the Carolinas down to New Orleans. Reviewer Gabino Iglesias wrote in their NPR review: “Readers will walk with Annis, see the world through her eyes, and feel the pain of everything she experiences–but that journey, that suffering, will give them clarity and help them develop a deeper understanding of love, grief, and the realities of slavery.”
  • Chang Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenya:  This debut novel is a satirical examination of consumerism and the prison system. It follows the lives of prisoners and “prize-fighters” Loretta Thurwar and Hamara Stacker who participate in televised fights to gain their freedom from the prison system. This novel was named one of the Top 10 books of 2023 by the New York Times. Giri Nathan writes in their review “As the plot careers forward, Adjei-Brenyah uses footnotes as tethers between fiction and reality, reminding us that his gladiatorial farce is just a little tragicomic leap from an extant American horror.” It may feel easy to get lost in the action between fighters, but readers will also be forced to reflect on their own attitudes towards incarcerated people and the prison system in America. 
  • The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride: This is a murder mystery set in Pennsylvania in a multicultural neighborhood and moves non sequentially through time, starting in the 1970s before jumping back to the 1920s and 1930s as it examines themes of community, prejudice and class. Maureen Corrigan writes that “McBride’s roving narrator is, by turns, astute, withering, giddy, daming and jubilant. He has a fine appreciation for the human comedy: in particular, the surreal situation of African Americans and immigrant Jews in a early-to-mid-20th-century America that celebrates itself as a color-blind, welcoming Land of Liberty.” This novel is an enlightening, hopeful and entertaining piece of literature from a well-established and celebrated American novelist. 
  • Thicker than Water by Kerry Washington: From a GWU alum, this memoir provides an intimate look at Kerry Washington’s life and career. Washington is a well-known TV and film actress who rarely shares details about her personal life. The memoir is Washington’s space where she discusses the hard moments of her life such as disordered eating, her career after the TV show ‘Scandal’ and other events. To learn more about Washington’s thoughts about her memoir, watch her Good Morning America interview with Robin Roberts:
  • The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson: Wilkerson is well known for investigative book Caste: the Origins of our Discontents, her Pulitzer Prize winning journalism while working at the New York Times or from the new Ava DuVernay film, Origins. But her first book, The Warmth of Other Suns is another important piece of work that details the Great Migration, the time between 1910 and 1970 when many African-Americans and their families left Southern states for Northern cities. “The driving force behind the mass movement was to escape racial violence, pursue economic and educational opportunities, and obtain freedom from the oppression of Jim Crow.” (National Archives, 2021) The Warmth of Other Suns covers an important historical event that is not often discussed and the book is a good introduction into Wilkerson’s work as a whole.
  • Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman: Many people first encountered Amanda Gorman during the 2020 Presidential Inauguration when she read her poem, The Hill We Climb. Her first poetry collection,  Call Us What We Carry was published in December 2021 and was instantly recognized as a best seller. In this collection, “Amanda Gorman captures a shipwrecked moment in time and transforms it into a lyric of hope and healing.”  (Penguin Random House, 2024 ) If you were moved by Gorman’s poem The Hill We Climb, then read more of her work in Call Us What We Carry. 
  • The Study of Human Life by Joshua Bennett: Dr. Joshua Bennett is an author and educator who currently serves as a Professor of Literature and Distinguished Chair of the Humanities at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Study of Human Life is a collection of work that “recalls and reimagines social worlds almost but not entirely lost, all while gesturing toward the ones we are building even now…” (Penguin Random House, 2024) Some of the book's themes include family, parenthood, vulnerability and ecology. The book blends multiple genres including autobiography and speculative fiction and will challenge many readers. 

Other notable authors worth reading include Rivers Solomon, Jasmine Mans, Jericho Brown, Jason Reynolds, Audre Lorde and Colson Whitehead. Many of these titles may be requested directly from Himmelfarb Library, through the Consortium Loan Service or through Documents2Go.

African-American authors have contributed to all genres and learning more about their lives and works is a great way to expand your reading habits and discover a new favorite writer.

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International Transgender Day of Remembrance takes place on November 20th every year. It is a solemn day that honors the transgender and gender diverse people who died due to acts of transphobic violence. The day began in 1999 when trans rights advocate, Gwendolyn Ann Smith, held a memorial to honor Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. From that first memorial in the late 90s, Transgender Day of Remembrance was soon recognized both within the United States and around the world. As Gwendolyn Ann Smith said “Transgender Day of Remembrance seeks to highlight the losses we face due to anti-transgender bigotry and violence…With so many seeking to erase transgender people–sometimes in the most brutal ways possible–it is vitally important that those we lose are remembered, and that we continue to fight for justice.” (GLAAD, 2023)

Accurate statistics on the violent deaths of transgender people are difficult to find for many reasons. “Many hate crimes and murders go unreported or, crucially, misreported in the media–meaning the actual number of deaths could be far higher.”(Wareham, 2023)  Transgender Europe is a collective of different organizations that advocates for equal rights and protection for transgender and gender diverse people. Each year at the start of Transgender Awareness Week, the group releases their Trans Murder Monitoring Global Update. This report tracks news articles of murdered transgender people. Since 2008, the organization has released a global report on the deaths of transgender people as well as observations on data trends. In their 2023 update, they reported that between October 1, 2022 and September 20, 2023, “320 trans and gender diverse people were reported murdered…This total is very close to the 327 cases reported in the previous year, showing that deadly violence against trans people remains at a consistently high level.”  (Transgender Europe, 2023) Alongside their global update report, Transgender Europe also released an updated map that shows 2023’s data as well as the total data collected since 2008. This map tracks the global violence transgender and gender diverse people face.

The National Center for Transgender Equality, an organization based in the United States, recently released their Trans Remembrance 2023 report with their virtual Trans Remembrance memorial. “We crafted this digital space for both grieving and celebrating those we’ve lost. Countless precious trans lives have been extinguished, and to grieve is an arduous journey. However, in our period of grief, we persist. We pay tribute to and exalt the existence of those who have departed, and our brilliance remains unaltered.” (National Center for Transgender Equality, 2023) The memorial highlights the stories of transgender and gender diverse people who lost their lives due to bullying or overt transphobic violence. Visitors are encouraged to read the stories of the people memorialized on the website in an attempt to combat transphobia. 

Transphobic violence may be underreported or misreported, but there are news sources that accurately report these instances. Organizations such as Transgender Europe, the National Center for Transgender Equality and GLAAD are valuable sources. LGBTQ focused news organizations and reporters such as LGBTQNation, Autostraddle, Erin Reed and Washington Blade also provide comprehensive coverage of transphobic legislation and bigotry. 

International Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day to mourn the lives lost and work towards equality and safety for transgender and gender diverse people. “Any measure of society must include the value it finds in protecting its most vulnerable from harm and healing the wounds they have already suffered….Transgender Day of Remembrances has never been so important.” (National Center for Transgender Equality, 2023)

Citations:

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Native American Heritage Month occurs in November every year. The month “is a time to celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation.” (U.S. Department of the Interior, n.d.) Many governmental agencies and health organizations share resources that discuss the history of Indigenous groups within the United States. 

Native Voices: Native Peoples’ Concepts of Health and Illness is a virtual exhibition that “explores the interconnectedness of wellness, illness, and cultural life for Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.” (National Library of Medicine, n.d.) The exhibit is split into five sections:

Along with the five sections, a collection of interviews touches on themes such as community, healing, nature and more. 

The virtual exhibit has educational resources that are useful in a classroom setting or for personal use. Their suggested readings bibliography features works by Native Americans or works that focus exclusively on Native Americans. 

The Office of Minority Health (OMH) provides current information about the health of indigenous communities. Their Population Health Data has census reports, links to additional health websites and statistics about indigenous communities. The health data is separated across multiple categories such as asthma, cancer, immunizations and other health concerns. Finally, the OMH’s American Indian & Alaska Native Health in the United States pathfinder guides users to appropriate resources such as journals, government websites and research articles. 

This month is an excellent time to explore the concerns and needs of American indigenous communities. The readings and resources listed above provide a glimpse of the long history and unique culture of American indigenous nations. 

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Many people are aware that June is LGBTQ Pride Month in the United States. But the community’s history is also recognized in October during LGBTQ History Month. This month began in 1994 when Rodney Wilson, a high school history teacher in Missouri, noticed a lack of LGBTQ representation in the curriculum. To address this gap, Wilson drafted a proposal and shared it with national organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign. Wilson worked with other historians and community organizers to ensure that LGBTQ History Month was nationally recognized. 

Wilson envisioned LGBTQ History Month becoming part of a school’s curriculum. This meant that he needed to consider the standard academic schedule when selecting when to honor LGBTQ History Month. October was selected because it did not overlap with other cultural or historical awareness months such as Hispanic Heritage Month (September) or Black History Month (February). October also had historical significance to the LGBTQ community in the United States. “The first March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1979 was in October. The second March on Washington in 1987 was also in October, specifically October 11–a date that would make the inaugural National Coming out Day the following year.” (Agassi, 2023)

For these reasons, October became LGBTQ History Month in the United States.

The 1979 & 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights:

Similar to the Stonewall riots and protests in 1969, the 1979 and 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights were two events that drew attention to the discrimination  the LGBTQ community faced. During both marches, community advocates listed their demands that would protect people regardless of their sexual orientation or gender. 

The 1979 march was inspired by the 1963 March on Washington where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr gave his ‘I Have A Dream’ speech. Openly gay San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk pushed for a similar march for LGBTQ people. Unfortunately Milk was assassinated before his idea could become reality. Two New York based activists, Steve Ault and Joyce Hunter, moved forward with Milk’s vision. (Chibbaro Jr., 2017). The 1979 march drew national attention as thousands of people came to DC to protest and share their demands for an equitable society. 

“A five-point platform for the march called for passage by Congress of a “comprehensive” lesbian and gay civil rights bill; a presidential executive order banning discrimination based on sexual orientation in the federal workplace, the military, federally contracted private employers; repeal of all ant-gay/lesbian laws; an end to discrimination in child custody disputes for gay and lesbian parents; and protections for gay and lesbian youth against discrimination at home or in schools.” (Chibbaro Jr., 2017)Several years later, the 1987 march took place in October and the group of marchers had similar demands as the one made in 1979. This march also focused on the impact of AIDS on the LGBTQ community and discriminatory laws. “Items added to the platform beyond those included for the 1979 march included a call for legal recognition of lesbian and gay relationships; repeal of sodomy laws applying to consenting adults; an end to discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS; reproductive freedom for women; and an end to racism in the U.S. and an end to apartheid in South Africa.” (Chibbaro Jr., 2017) The AIDS Memorial Quilt was displayed for the first time on the National Mall during the march. This NBC News report provides a historical view of the 1987 march and press coverage. Additionally, there is an original recording of the 1979 March and other resources available to the public.

While Pride Month celebrates the accomplishments of the LGBTQ civil rights movement, LGBTQ History Month serves as a time to reflect on the history of the community and remind people of the hard work from activists and other historical figures. Rodney Wilson if believes it is vital to look to history and that history has a way to make people feel less lonely or uncertain about their lives. “For Wilson, history at its core is mystical, particularly “about this continuing conversation with the dead, and with the events that they worked on and completed in their lifetimes–some of which are still with us, and some aren’t. There’s a real mystical communion between the past, the present and the future in studying our history.”” (Agassi, 2023)

References:

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Addressing consumer health questions from a racial or ethnic minority group requires cultural sensitivity and understanding. Healthcare organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Minority Health provide consumer health resources that are available in multiple languages. The organizations also share resources on how to connect with minority groups in a healthcare environment. These resources allow providers to communicate health information with their patients and also establish a rapport between patients and providers no matter their background. To commemorate this year’s National Hispanic Heritage Month, we are highlighting several consumer and healthcare provider resources that specifically address the needs of the Hispanic community. 

The Office of Minority Health aims to “improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations through the development of health policies and programs that will help eliminate health disparities.” (Office of Minority Health, 2019, para. 1) The office recently released their “Better Health Through Better Understanding for Hispanics/Latinos” reading list. The list is divided into three sections and contains information for both health consumers and providers. The resources are free to access and download. Some of the resources are available in English and Spanish so they may be shared with patients who may not be fluent in English. Lastly, there are links to journal articles that discuss the treatment and health outcomes of the Hispanic/Latino population. 

The Office of Minority Health also provides resources based on the five social determinants of health. The listed information contains federal and non-federal options so the information is applicable to many individuals. Similar to their Hispanic Heritage Month reading list, the resources on this page are intended for both healthcare patients and providers. Some resources that may be of interest include:

If you’re looking for mental health resources, Palo Alto University’s curated list of Latinx Community Resources features books, videos, podcasts and more. There is also an extensive list of mental health organizations that serve the needs of the Hispanic community. 

Himmelfarb Library is home to a diverse collection of health information. The Antiracism in Health research guide is an excellent starting point for available resources. Links to student and national healthcare organizations are listed on the guide, directly connecting you to groups actively working to meet healthcare needs and dismantle barriers to access. Himmelfarb Library’s Diversity and Disparities in Health Care connects you to physical and electronic books, academic journals and other library materials. Please be aware that some resources will prompt users to login with their GW UserID and password to access.  If there are journal articles, books, podcasts or other materials that you believe should be featured on the antiracism research guide, please submit your suggestion through this Google form.

Finding additional resources to address the questions of a specific community may feel daunting. If you are interested in finding information similar to the sources listed in this article, Himmelfarb Library is here to help. There are several ways to contact a staff member including by email, phone, or instant message. Contact us with any questions you may have. 

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Gender-affirming care has been a topic within mainstream media for the past several years. While some people think of surgical interventions during these discussions, health care providers and organizations classify a range of treatments as part of a gender-affirming care routine. Research shows that transgender and nonbinary individuals who receive gender-affirming care experience greater health outcomes such as decreased levels of depression, anxiety and suicidality. Dr. Arjee Javellana Restar’s paper Gender-affirming care is preventative care, examines the relationship between mental health and access to gender-affirming care. “While there are established treatments available outside of GAC, preventing negative mental health outcomes before they occur requires widening the tools of prevention, and calling in medical, insurer, and policy communities to value GAC in improving mental health for trans people.” (Restar, 2023, pg. 2) In order to address the mental health outcomes of trans and nonbinary individuals, it is important that barriers to gender-affirming treatment options are eliminated and the patient’s autonomy is prioritized. 

Gender-affirming care are treatment options that aim to affirm a person’s gender identity. Treatments may include speech therapy, hormone therapy, or surgical interventions. Gender-affirming care options are frequently discussed and created by patients, healthcare providers and if the patient is a minor, parental or legal guardians are also present. The Association of American Medical Colleges states that “For children in particular, the time of the interventions is based on several factors, including cognitive and physical development as well as parental consent. Surgery…is rarely provided to people under 18.” (Boyle, 2022) 

Research shows that transgender and nonbinary people who receive gender-affirming care often experience improved mental health outcomes than those who do not receive treatment. Dr. Restar writes “Addressing mental health problems among trans people necessitates explicit programmatic and investment goals that allow the equitable provision of not just treatment, but instead, an array of both preventative and treatment tools…” (Restar, 2023, pg. 1) Both Dr. Restar and the Association of American Medical Colleges note that people who receive gender-affirming care experience lower rates of negative mental health outcomes. (Restar, 2023; Boyle, 2022) “GAC is linked to improved quality of life and mental health among trans people…To date, no studies have reported findings that suggest GAC increases negative mental health outcomes.” (Restar, 2023, pg. 1)

There are social and structural barriers that prevent people from accessing the full range of gender-affirming care treatment options. Dr. Restar suggests that the healthcare profession should make changes to the existing structures to allow for more equitable access to care.  “Over the years, the benefits of GAC has become apparent, yet beneficiaries remain exclusive, leaving many trans people to wait until eligible for treatment at the cost of worsened outcomes…To address the high prevalence of mental health problems, GAC must be synergized as part of combined preventative mental health care options and strategies.” (Restar, 2023, pg. 2) 

Building a gender diverse and gender-affirming environment is important because it “allows for frank discussions about the patient’s gender identity and related stress, sexual activity, and potential transition toward a different gender identity.” (Boyle, 2022) Himmelfarb Library’s Diversity and Disparities in Health Care special collection contains materials to help you learn more about transgender and gender diverse healthcare needs. Additionally, Dr. Restar’s article provides suggestions that may lead to healthcare structural changes and improve healthcare access for transgender and nonbinary individuals. 

References: 

Restar, A. J. (2023). Gender-affirming care is preventative care. Lancet Regional Health - Americas (Online), 24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lana.2023.100544

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Would you like to learn more about healthcare related disability and accessibility issues? Would you like to hear perspectives from disabled individuals as they discuss how their disability impacts their lives? The Disability Visibility podcast, hosted by Alice Wong,  has one hundred episodes that center disabled individuals and activists who work to create a more accessible world. 

If you are interested in listening to the podcast, Himmelfarb Library’s DEI Committee suggests starting with episodes 95 and 98. In episode 95, Alice Wong speaks with Dr. Justin Bullock, an African-American medical resident who wrote the New England Journal of Medicine article Suicide–Rewriting My Story. The episode’s conversation focuses on Dr. Bullock’s experiences with Bipolar Disorder, suicidality and his medical school and residency journey. Episode 98 is another conversation with UC Berkeley undergraduate student, Alena Morales. Morales shares her experiences with creating the Disability Cultural Center on Berkeley’s campus and what that process taught her about creating communities for disabled people. 

Other episodes that may be of interest include episode 77: Mental Health Advocacy, episode 54: Disabled Scientists, episode 24: Disability Justice and Community Organizing, and episode 17: Invisible Disabilities. Additionally, Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century features work from over 30 authors and is an alternative way to learn from disabled individuals.

If you listen to the suggested episodes and would like to hold a community discussion, the DEI Committee created a starting list of questions that may guide the conversation:

  • Did this podcast change your perspective on disability? What surprised you?
  • If you or someone you know has disabilities, what challenges have you/they faced?
  • How does disability intersect with other identities such as race or sexual orientation?
  • Are you aware of ways that GW accommodates students with disabilities? What else could be done?
  • Dr. Bullock discusses his experience with bipolar disorder. Had you considered mental health issues as disabilities? In what ways are these disabilities similar to and different from a physical disability? 

The Disability Visibility podcast is one part of the ongoing Disability Visibility project. To learn more about the podcast or the larger multimedia project, visit the project’s website at disabilityvisibilityproject.com. If there is a DEIA resource that you would like to share with the committee, please contact the current chair, Rachel Brill at rgbrill@gwu.edu.

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