Until recently, nursing policy organizations failed to take notice of the numerous health issues encountered by LGBTQ people. The American Academy of Nursing declared its support of the community only in 2012, which was two years after the Institute of Medicine had advocated for LGBTQ-related research (Shattell & Chinn, 2014). Rebel Nursing is an advocacy group that has been created to eliminate the awareness gap. The group’s policies are aimed at the promotion of progressive nursing agenda and creation of a world in which “all people receive and have a say incompetent, compassionate, and respectful care in their communities” (Rebel Nursing, n.d., para. 1).
The American Nurses Association (ANA) and Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) have also been raising awareness around LGBTQ health issues (ANA, n.d.; GLMA, n.d.). Recently, GLMA has developed policies aimed at the provision of support for LGBTQ medical students (GLMA, n.d.).
Given that advanced practice nurses habitually encounter sexual minorities, the adoption of a more progressive attitude towards their health issues is needed. To raise a level of activism around LGBTQ health, advanced practice nurses can champion the Lesbian Health Fund (LHF) and other similar programs that are dedicated to sexual minority women (SMW)-oriented research (GLMA Nursing, n.d.). Another step that can be taken is to campaign against the use of diminishing labels such as gender dysphoria (GD) that harm transgender people.
Health Policy and Advocacy is a core nursing essential that most pertain to the issue of LGBTQ health promotion. The essential’s rationale is to advance social justice values, thereby changing the social determinants of health (AACN, 2011). Furthermore, this part of master’s degree programs focuses on advocacy for patients, which is essential for changing the current environment around LGBTQ health issues.
References
AACN. (2011). The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing. Web.
ANA. (n.d.). LGBT individuals & communities. Web.
GLMA Nursing. (n.d.). Virtual journal club—gender queer: Politics is killing us. Web.
GLMA. (n.d.). About GLMA.
Rebel Nursing. (n.d.). About us. Web.
Shattell, M., & Chinn, P. (2014). Nursing silent on LGBTQ health: Rebel nurses provide hope. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 28(1), 76-77.