LGBTQIA+ October: Observances and Their Connections to Care

October is a month of great significance to the LGBTQIA+ community, being LGBTQ History Month as well as containing National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11 and Spirit Day on Oct. 20. Not to be overshadowed by Pride Month in June, the October observances focus on other, equally important aspects of LGBTQIA+ history, culture and life.

LGBTQ History Month is dedicated to honoring the community's historic struggle for equality as well as its broader history, paying tribute to the leaders, icons and movements which shaped it. National Coming Out Day, observed annually on October 11, celebrates "coming out of the closet," which is the act of revealing oneself as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community to friends, family and loved ones. The month's second day of LGBTQIA+ recognition, Spirit Day, comes on October 20 and focuses on bullying against LGBTIQA+ youth, raising support and awareness for victims. To explore the significance of these observances through the lens of healthcare, we spoke with Kjell Wiberg, M.D. medical director of Sinai Hospital's Division of Infectious Diseases and member of the LGBTQIA+ community here at LifeBridge Health.

Born in Sweden, Dr. Wiberg's entry into the medical field came as a result of his mandated Swedish military service, during which he worked in a military hospital. Eventually, Dr. Wiberg attended medical school in Gothenburg, Sweden, developing a special interest in infectious diseases. After arriving in the United States and doing his residency at Sinai Hospital, Dr. Wiberg accepted a fellowship at Washington Hospital Center, where he discovered a passion for treating patients with HIV. Because HIV disproportionately affects gay men, Dr. Wiberg was able to blend his medical expertise with his personal insight as a member of the gay community in his efforts to, in his own words, "remove barriers for people." For the LGBTQIA+ community, the barriers to which Dr. Wiberg refers are many. "Sometimes it's people who have been treated poorly in many ways. . .they can be a minority [within] the minority, and they may come from a family where their sexual orientation is not accepted whatsoever."

The challenges Dr. Wiberg witnessed firsthand testify to the importance of inclusivity and equity for LGBTQIA+ individuals in healthcare spaces - priorities which he believes are deeply connected to the history and identity of Sinai Hospital, for example. Sinai was founded as an answer to the exclusion of Jewish doctors and patients at other institutions in Baltimore. "Why should we accept that someone is turned away or treated in a not so good way, because of sexual orientation that is not a choice? It's something you're born with."

But a true commitment to inclusion must go beyond welcoming words, manifesting as actual respect, inclusivity and understanding at the point of contact between patient and provider. "It's so important to educate the medical profession about this. I've seen friends treated really poorly," explains Dr. Wiberg. This is an experience that many LGBTQIA+ individuals can relate to, for both themselves and their fellow community members. October's LGBTQIA+ observances serve as a reminder of the community's need for improved healthcare experiences. This much-needed culture shift requires the earnest efforts of providers who are willing to learn how to treat LGBTQIA+ patients more fairly and effectively. Dr. Wiberg advises fellow providers to reserve any personal expectations about how patients present themselves. "Have an open mind. Accept people for who they are. . . embrace that and encourage that. You as a provider will have a better relationship with a patient if you do, but it's also important for patients to love themselves, for people to be confirmed." For Dr. Wiberg, affirmation and support of the entire person is crucial to the effective treatment of all patients.

Still, providers and other healthcare workers must unify their efforts to provide patients with a comprehensively fair and inclusive experience. After all, "it only takes one person in an office to make an experience really bad," says. Dr. Wiberg. This point highlights the importance of spaces dedicated to the LBGTQIA+ individuals, staffed by team members who are already knowledgeable or willing to be educated in the proper treatment of LGBTQIA+ in a healthcare setting. This is why, as part of its commitment to inclusive care for our communities, LifeBridge Health looks to establish an LGBTQIA+ dedicated medical center.

The topics covered in October's observances - LGBTQ history, coming out and the bullying of LGBTQIA+ youth - are closely tied to the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals in healthcare. The community's history has been marked by struggles for equal and inclusive treatment, such as that in the area of healthcare. The fear of coming out and the bullying of LGBTQIA+ youth can subject community members to further repression which may lead them to avoid seeking medical treatment altogether. These tribulations may not to be known or understood by those who have no connection to the LGBTQIA+ community, and that is why this month's observances are so important. Dr. Wiberg explains that these observances are important "in order not to forget. . .We need these reminders, because sometimes we become comfortable and we forget about the world outside of our little bubble," adding that "If you're not aware of the problems that exist, you can't do anything about it."

To this end, LifeBridge Health team members have been asked to wear the color purple for Spirit Day on Thursday, Oct. 20. This effort helps to raise awareness for LGBTQIA+ youth subjected to bullying, but also to demonstrate the character of LifeBridge Health as an institution and the dedication of its team members to providing inclusive and empathetic care to all.

LifeBridge Health's LGBTQIA+ employee resource group provides an outlet for LGBTQIA+ people and their allies to share experiences, organize events, advocate for change and connect with fellow LGBTQIA+ team members. Team members interested in joining the group are encouraged to contact chairs Sterling Kelly at SnKelly@lifebridgehealth.org and PJ Dominiski at PDominiski@lifebridgehealth.org.