On Thurs., Dec. 14, about 100 people filled the seats of The Great Hall at Codman Square to talk about the health status of both the city at large and the Dorchester population specifically and hear from four experts, including Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, the executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC). Ojikutu shared citywide data from 2017-2021 about life
Why safe spaces in health care matter for LGBTQ+ patients wjnt.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wjnt.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Alexander Spatari/Getty Images(NEW YORK) Andrew, a 39-year-old New Yorker who identifies as queer, says he got lucky with his first primary care provider, who was very queer friendly.
"He was straight, but raised by two dads and created a very welcoming environment," Andrew told ABC News of his former doctor.
When his doctor moved, Andrew says he realized how much it mattered for his health. He says his new doctor was less comfortable around queer issues. "There was always a barrier and a sense of awkwardness," he said.
Andrew says the lack of good communication left him feeling he could not tell his doctor everything. "Having experienced queer friendly doctors and not queer friendly doctors you see the importance of nonjudgment," he said.
Being able to have open conversations about sexual identity can be important for health care, experts say, especially around issues like appropriate general health, STI, and mental health screenings.
The LGBTQ+ co
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