Bringing in the Rainbow: Integrating LGBTQ Sexual Health Concerns in a Midwestern Public Health Department

Columbus Public Health has a long history serving the sexual health needs of the LGBTQ community in Central Ohio. Recently the department reinforced its commitment to serving this population by launching the LGBTQ Health Initiative. The purpose of the Initiative is to address gaps in care and issues of health inequity in the LGBTQ communities of Central Ohio.

Since the formation of the health initiative, several key strategies have been implemented to make sexual health programming LGBTQ inclusive.  Clinical and community based nursing staff have been trained in providing culturally competent care to LGBTQ clients. Patient non-discrimination policies are explicitly LGBTQ-inclusive and on public display.  Demographic fields on patient information forms are inclusive of diverse gender identity and sexual orientation categories.  A new sexual health clinic focused on serving the MSM community is now in operation. An LGBTQ Health Advocate has been hired to promote a wide range of community health issues through outreach, education, advocacy and quarterly citywide community health conversations.

Full integration of LGBTQ health concerns into sexual health programming has resulted in increased staff competence for serving the LGBTQ community, the creation of an LGBTQ Health Coalition, LGBTQ inclusive policy changes, improved data collection capabilities, targeted clinic time for the MSM population, and increased collaboration between the public health department and community based organizations.

Future plans include expansion of cultural competency trainings to external providers, development of an accreditation program to recognize culturally competent providers, and publication of a resource guide of accredited LGBTQ friendly providers.