LGBTIQ+ health
This page provides information, services and advice for people that identify as LGBTIQ+ people, as well as parents, friends, carers and medical practitioners across the ACT community.
Understanding LGBTIQ+ health
LGBTIQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer or questioning and other diverse sexualities, gender identities and variations in sex characteristics.
ACT Health recognises that people who identify as LGBTIQ+ are valued members of our community and provide important contributions as consumers, clinicians and advocates in our health system.
We also recognise that the term LGBTIQ+ is not exhaustive and does not cover all forms of diversity in sex, gender or sexuality.
ACT Health understands that your identity is not singular and that different identities may overlap and contribute to your experience. For example, you may identify as a queer person and a refugee whose first language is not English. This overlap can make it challenging to access services that recognise and respond to your individual experience.
Health concerns for the LGBTIQ+ community
LGBTIQ+ people experience disproportionate rates of ill-health and disadvantage compared to the other members of the general population.
LGBTIQ+ people experience barriers to accessing health services because of stigma, stereotyping, discrimination, harassment and exclusion.
We understand that health issues experienced by different groups of LGBTIQ+ people aren’t always the same. For example, the experience and health issues experienced by a gay man may be very different to those faced by the transgender or gender-diverse communities.
Understanding the challenges
Specific health issues can occur for people within the LGBTIQ+ community. Myths and misunderstandings can impact support and preventative care.
One myth is that lesbian women don’t need to have cervical cancer screenings. This is false and harmful and may result in a greater risk of cervical cancer not being detected early in lesbian women.
If you identify as LGBTIQ+ you might be hesitant to disclose your sexual orientation to health practitioners. That might be based on previous negative experiences or fear of discrimination, meaning you might be less likely to receive the screening and healthcare support you need.
LGBTIQ+ Health Scoping Study
ACT Health undertook the LGBTIQ+ Health Scoping Study in 2019-20. The study identified 24 recommendations to improve access and inclusion for the LGBTIQ+ community in health services across the ACT.
The study is aligned with the Capital of Equality Strategy 2019-2023, which sets out how the ACT Government will continue to make Canberra the most LGBTIQ+ welcoming and inclusive city in Australia.
Health and community services
| Service | Description |
|---|---|
| A Gender Agenda | A Gender Agenda aims to support the goals and needs of the intersex, transgender and gender diverse communities of Canberra and the surrounding region. |
| Australian Professional Association for Trans Health Directory | National peak body representing, supporting, and connecting those working to strengthen the health, rights and wellbeing of all trans people – binary and non-binary. Search their diverse register of health practitioners as well as standards of care, clinical resources and events for clinicians. |
| Canberra Sexual Health Centre | Specialist clinic providing professional and non-judgemental care and services for people with or without Medicare. They provide free testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and are the region's largest HIV outpatient services. |
| Diversity ACT | A community based, registered charity run by volunteers. Offers a service hub, social worker, support networks, groups and community resources for the LGBTIQ+ community in the ACT. |
| Meridian | Community-controlled, peer-led organisation providing health and social support services to Canberra's LGBTIQ+ communities. The well-being team are qualified and registered mental health professionals, including counsellors, psychologists and social workers. |
| QLife | Anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. |
| Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT | SHFPACT provides clinical and education services in the Canberra area and aims to increase access to sexual and reproductive health services with a focus on young people, people on low incomes or experiencing financial hardship, and LGBTIQ+ people. |
| Silver Rainbow | Silver Rainbow supports LGBTI people as they age and enter the aged care system. The project is run by LGBTIQ+ Health Australia, to educate service providers, policy makers, LGBTI people and the community about how to meet the needs of LGBTI elders. |
| Women's Health Matters | An independent, non-partisan think tank working to improve the health and wellbeing of anyone who identifies as a woman in the ACT and surrounding region. They advocate on behalf of all ACT women, especially those experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability. |
Support and resources for community
| Service | Description |
|---|---|
| ACON Transhub | A digital information and resource platform for all trans and gender diverse people in NSW, families, allies and health providers. Find useful information resources and general advice for trans and gender diverse communities. |
| ACT Aces | A Facebook community group for asexuals and their allies in the ACT and surrounding areas. |
| Rainbow Mob | This network supports and raises awareness of Indigenous perspectives with the Canberra LGBTIQ+ community. |
| ACT Human Rights Commission | The ACT is a human rights jurisdiction, the ACT Human Rights Commission can offer support and guidance around experiences of discrimination and human rights complaints in a variety of areas including sexuality and gender identity. |
| EmbraceU | An inclusive digital information and resource on sexual health and blood-borne viruses platform for trans, gender diverse and non-binary community. |
| Emen8 | An online sexual health and wellbeing initiative for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. |
| Justice Connect | A national legal services that aims to increase access to legal support and progress social justice. Find out how to update gender on format documents, changing your name, legal rights and responding to gender discrimination and transphobia. |
| LGBTIQ.Directory | A central site to find support pathways, community networks, and inclusive businesses and services in Canberra and surrounding NSW region. |
Resources for clinicians
| Service | Description |
|---|---|
| Australian Professional Association for Trans Health Directory | National peak body representing, supporting, and connecting those working to strengthen the health, rights and wellbeing of all trans people – binary and non-binary. Search their diverse register of health practitioners as well as standards of care, clinical resources and events for clinicians. |
| Canberra Transgender Care Network | Healthcare professionals committed to the quality care of transgender and gender diverse people. Their aim is to improve care in the Canberra region through improved referral networks, learning from each other and their mutual patients, and advocating for better local services for this population. |
| Capital Health Network | Capital Health Network is the ACT Primary Health Network, they work collaboratively to integrate health care, improve health equity and achieve better health outcomes for Canberrans. |
| LGBTIQ support – North-Western Melbourne Primary Health Network | North-western Melbourne PHN provides a range of training modules, resources and services to enable better care for LGBTIQ+ people. |
| Meridian (ACT) Training and Education | Meridian offers comprehensive and engaging LGBTIQ+ awareness and inclusivity education packages comprising the LGBTIQ+[Ai] Foundation Training, Allyship Training, AOD training, HIV Awareness Education, and LGBTIQ+ Silver Rainbow Aged Care Training. |
| Mental Health Care for Trans, Gender Diverse, and Non-Binary People training module | This module is designed for a range of mental health professionals to become familiar with and sensitive to the diverse terminology, experiences, issues, standards, and referral pathways with respect to trans, gender diverse, and non-binary (TGDNB) clients. |
| Primary Health Care for Trans, Gender Diverse, and Non-Binary People training module | This module is designed for a range of health professionals to become familiar with how to create an affirming and inclusive environment for TGDNB people attending primary practice and community care. It also covers terminology, standards of care, key clinical issues and competency in providing psychosocial care. |
Government and non-government resources and articles
- ACON (NSW) Policy and Research
- ACT Health LGBTIQ+ Health Scoping Study
- ACT LGBTIQ+ Ministerial Advisory Council
- Capital of Equality – ACT Government LGBTIQ+ Strategy
- LGBTIQ+ Health Australia
- Rainbow Health Australia Research Resources
- The views of same sex attracted women in the ACT about their health: “This is what the real experience is like…” – Women’s Health Matters
- Thorne Harbour Health (VIC) Policy and Advocacy