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FDA to Allow More Gay and Bisexual Men to Donate Blood
The Food and Drug Administration is finally reversing its policy on when and how gay and bisexual men can donate blood. Men who have sex with men (MSM) have long faced discrimination when trying to donate. Since the AIDS epidemic, MSM were asked to abstain from sexual activity before donating blood. The abstention period has periodically shortened over time, but now the FDA says it will conduct an individual risk assessment for each donor instead using time-based deferrals. The previous policy required MSM to abstain from sexual activity for three months before donating. But under the proposed change, any gay […]
Anti-Transgender Campaigns Targeted 24 Medical Facilities and Providers
Doctors and facilities that provide gender-affirming care to transgender, nonbinary, and question youth have come under attack over the last few months. These medical services help transgender and nonbinary youth feel more comfortable in their own skin, which can reduce rates of depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide. These treatments are completely reversible without inhibiting the child’s development. A new report from the Human Rights Campaign shows that online harassment campaigns targeted 24 medical facilities and providers over the last few months. The threats took place between August and November of this year across 21 states. They were targeted at […]
Biden Proposes Rule to Reinstate Health Protections for LGBTQ+ Americans
On Monday, the White House made moves to restore protections for LGBTQ+ Americans seeking healthcare services that were struck down during the Trump Administration. The proposed rule would also cover pregnant women seeking an abortion. Under the rule, decisions regarding “pregnancy termination” are included under protections that prevent discrimination on the basis of sex. The administration already warned pharmacists that denying patients medications that are used for abortions would violate federal civil rights law. Many states have moved to restrict access to gender-affirming healthcare for tansgender patients and reproductive health services. The new rule would help safeguard access to essential […]
Conservative Lawyer Calls for Reducing Access to PrEP Because It “Enables Homosexual Behavior”
It’s been 10 years since the FDA approved the medication known as PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, a once-a-day oral medication that prevents the transmission of HIV. It is sold under the brand names Descovy and Truvada and reduces the chances of infection during sex by up to 99% when taken as directed. The drug has dramatically reduced the number of new infections among gay and bisexual men since it first came on the market, but a new lawsuit filed by attorney Jonathan Mitchell argues insurance companies have the right to refuse to cover the cost of the medication. Taking Truvada […]
Joe Harding’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill Threatens the Life of Every LGBTQ+ Child in Florida
In what has become an unfathomable setting in Florida, Republican Rep. Joe Harding has introduced a bill that would threaten the life of every LGBTQ+ child in the State. Florida House Republicans are considering his bill that would forbid teachers and students from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity in the classroom. The bill seems to be inspired by the recent debate over critical race theory, which looks at U.S. history through the lens of slavery and the accomplishment of African Americans. Proponents of the bill argue that it’s inappropriate to discuss homosexuality in the classroom, but advocates for the […]
Married Lesbian Says Doctor Refused to Perform Hysterectomy Because Her Sexuality Might Change
Rachel Champ, 27, of Longwood, Ireland, says her doctors routinely dismissed her concerns while suffering from severe cramps and abdominal pain. She identifies as a lesbian and is happily married. When she asked about a hysterectomy to stop the pain, she claims her doctor denied her care because he thought she might one day find a man and decide to get pregnant. Living in Pain Champ says she’s suffered from period pain since she was just 10 years old. Her mother took her to the doctor, but they told her the pain was normal. Two years later, her doctors prescribed […]
Spanish Doctor Diagnoses Woman with Homosexuality in Alleged Charting Gaffe
One patient didn’t know what to think after her doctor gave her a strange diagnosis. Alba Aragón, 19, told her gynecologist that she identifies as a lesbian during her first appointment. But by the end of the session, the office handed her a note that said in Spanish, “Current illness: Homosexual.” A Strange Diagnosis Aragón, who lives in Murcia, Spain, says she feels very comfortable with her sexuality. She realized she was attracted to women when she was just 15. She wanted to be upfront with her gynecologist when she went in for an appointment on Oct 4. She voluntarily […]
Shang-Chi Actor Caught Comparing Pedophiles to Homosexuality on Reddit
The new Marvel movie Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has been dominating the box office for several weeks, but its leading star, Simu Liu, is wrapped up in controversy after several of his Reddit posts show him comparing pedophilia to homosexuality. Screenshots of his posts have since gone viral as members of the LGBTQ+ community call out his behavior. Problematic Posts The scandal first came to light after Reddit users connected Liu to an account called “NippedInTheBud” through multiple touch points. In one post, the account shared a headshot of Liu and asked for feedback. Later, in […]
Ohio Law Says Providers Can Deny Care to LGBTQ+ Patients If They Object on Moral Grounds
Another state is making it harder for LGBTQ+ patients to access healthcare. Ohio lawmakers snuck a provision into a 2,400-page budget bill at the eleventh hour that allows doctors to deny healthcare to members of the LGBTQ+ community if they object on religious, ethical, or moral grounds. Gov. Mike DeWine recently signed the bill into law, creating an uproar among advocates for the queer community. It’s also the latest bill that restricts what kind of procedures these individuals can receive, including gender confirmation surgery. The Freedom to Decline Care The provision says that every medical provider, from doctors and nurses […]
Doctor’s Jaw Wired Shut After Being the Victim of a LGBTQ+ Hate Crime in NYC
Pride Month has come and gone, but the need for LGBTQ+ equality will never go away. Dr. Sina Rezaie, 29, is in the hospital after being the victim of what looks to be a hate crime. He says he was on his way home after getting off the subway in Greenwich Village when a stranger yelled a homophobic slur at him. The brutal attack left Rezaie with a broken jaw, which had to be wired shut to make sure it heals properly. Attacked on the Streets Dr. Rezaie was on the same block that was full of members of the […]
WHO I AM: Living Your Truth with LGBTQIA+ Nurse and Advocate Ryann Kress
We’ve been talking to some of the brightest LGBTQIA+ voices in healthcare to celebrate Pride Month. From out and proud nurses to advocates defending the most vulnerable, these professionals are making the world a better place, one patient interaction at a time. This week, we sat down with nurse Ryann Kress, who knows what it’s like to be on the other side of the provider-patient relationship. She knows what it’s like to be disabled and was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Virginia in 2020. We spoke to her about how she’s using her experiences to help her patients feel a little more […]
WHO I AM: Dr. Chase Anderson Talks LGBTQIA+ Mentorship, Pride, and the Power of Twitter
We are in our second week of Pride Month here at Scrubs Mag. We’ve been sharing thoughtful interviews from a variety of exceptional leaders and influencers from the LGBTQIA+ healthcare community, and our chat with Dr. Chase Anderson was no exception. Scrubs Mag: How do you identify, and what are your pronouns? Dr. Chase Anderson: I’m a gay, African American cisgender male, and my pronouns are he/him/his. SM: What made you pursue a career in healthcare? CA: I was working on an experiment with melanoma cells, and hadn’t seen my friends in a week. That’s when I realized I was […]
WHO I AM: Taylor Chiang Talks “Trans Joy” During Pride Month
We recently spoke with Taylor Chiang, an M.D. candidate, about what Pride Month means to them. It’s been a long and difficult year for everyone, especially people of color and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. From racial justice protests to being a first year medical student during a global health pandemic, Chiang reflects on what it means to celebrate Pride Month this June after so many months of uncertainty. Scrubs Mag: How do you identify, and what are your pronouns? Taylor Chiang: I identify as a Chinese, Filipino, queer, non-binary medical student and athlete. My pronouns are they/them. SM: What […]
Celebrating LGBTQI+ Healthcare Workers with “PRIDE: Who I Am”
It’s sunny and consistently 80 degrees Fahrenheit outside, and summer has arrived. You can feel the sweat on your brow as you step out onto your front porch. With a simple flick of the wrist, the once closed fan in your hand opens with an empathic FLOP. Less to circulate the air in between infrequent breezes, your fan is sending the message: “I. Am. On. The. Way.” You can feel the vibrations make their way from the steaming hot asphalt to your feet and up your spine. The rhythmic beat of the music and singing in the distance is invitingly […]
Arkansas Governor Vetoes Bill that Would Bar Doctors from Treating Transgender Youth
The state of Arkansas was on the verge of passing a sweeping bill that would prohibit doctors and physicians from treating transgender youth with hormone treatments, puberty blockers, or surgery. The State Legislature passed the bill before sending it over to Gov. Asa Hutchinson for final approval. Nearly everyone on both sides of the aisle expected Hutchinson to sign the bill into law, but he surprised everyone by vetoing it instead. The debate has put a spotlight on trans lives in the U.S. and how the healthcare industry treats children looking to transition. Cracking Down on Transgender Youth When Gov. […]
Arkansas Bill Would Give Providers the Right to Deny Care to LGBTQ+ Community
A new bill in Arkansas would give healthcare providers the right to deny care to someone based on the provider’s “religious, moral, or ethical” beliefs. The bill would affect EMTs, first responders, nurses, doctors, and anyone providing care to a patient in a clinical setting. The authors and proponents of the bill argue that it gives workers more agency over whom they treat, but its critics say it would put the lives of certain individuals in danger, including atheists, Muslims, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. What’s in the Bill? The Arkansas legislature just passed the bill, officially known as […]
Gay Men Who’ve Recovered from COVID-19 Face Challenges When Donating Plasma
Throughout the pandemic, health officials have been urging individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 to donate their blood plasma, which can be used to treat patients suffering from the disease. Preliminary research shows that patients with (or at risk of) severe COVID-19 who receive convalescent plasma within three days of diagnosis are less likely to die than patients who receive convalescent plasma later in their illness. Despite the need for blood plasma, many men who identify as gay or bisexual who have recovered from COVID-19 are waking up to the fact that they still can’t donate blood. The policy is […]
San Diego Politicians Take Massive Pay Increase Amidst Shuttering Businesses
Southern California is in the middle of the one of the worst outbreaks of the coronavirus in the country as thousands of businesses shutter their doors. Shifting safety guidelines have made it difficult for local business owners to earn a living during the pandemic. As the situation grew increasingly dire, the new mayor of San Diego and the new city council members received a massive pay increase on the day of their inauguration, sparking outrage across the city. Many people, including sitting city council member Carl DeMaio, are calling on these elected officials not to accept the pay raise, so […]
2020: The Deadliest Year on Record for the Transgender & Non-Binary Communities
The U.S. passed a grim milestone this week, and we’re not talking about COVID-19. 33-year-old Felycya Harris was found dead in Georgia earlier this week, and police are still searching for a suspect. Harris is now the 31st transgender or non-binary person to be killed in the country this year, making 2020 the deadliest year on record since the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) started tracking these statistics back in 2013. With still three months to go until the end of the year, we’ve already seen dozens of innocent lives lost due to what the HRC sees as “a toxic mix […]
Can Talking Robots Reduce Loneliness and Improve Mental Health?
For millions of people, the pandemic means spending more time inside and away from others. However, this can lead to feelings of isolation, loneliness, depression, and poor mental health. With few visitors and rigorous safety precautions, seniors are spending more time at home than their younger counterparts, at least until the pandemic subsides. Even before the spread of the novel coronavirus, seniors faced increased risk of loneliness and social isolation. They tend to be less mobile, have fewer social contacts, and spend more time at home than others. That’s why scientists are so excited about Pepper, a new talking robot […]
Nearly Half of LGBTQ+ Youth Say They Have Considered Suicide Since the Pandemic
For many families and kids, being stuck at home is just part of our “new normal” during the coronavirus pandemic. For others, it can feel like punishment – especially for those who live with family members that do not share or accept their personal beliefs or ways of life. Such is the case for many LGTBQ+ youth in the U.S. Isolated from friends and a community that loves them for who they are, many of these kids have had to quarantine with unsupportive family members. For this demographic, sheltering in place and staying at home can lead to depression, anxiety, […]
Michigan Now Requires Implicit Bias Training for All Health Professionals
The coronavirus pandemic continues to reveal stark health disparities across the country, particularly for African Americans. Black people are much more likely to get infected and die from COVID-19 than white individuals. This divide is perhaps most notable in Michigan. Black people make up 40% of all COVID-19 cases and deaths in the state, even though they make up just 13.6% of the local population. The Detroit area and the surrounding suburbs have been hit especially hard. Testing centers are overwhelmed, and many patients remain in the dark about the virus. To counter these trends, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has just […]
LGBTQ+ Clinics Fight for Transgender Patients: “Everyone Deserves Easy Access to Healthcare”
It’s been nearly a week since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that employers could no longer terminate their workers for identifying as LGBTQ+, but some in the healthcare industry are still worried that their transgender patients are being discriminated against. The Trump Administration recently announced a new rule that would strip “sex discrimination” protections for transgender patients – and healthcare providers are fighting back. Transgender individuals already face many obstacles when seeking medical care. They are also murdered and assaulted much more often than cisgender patients. If this new law holds up in court, providers will be able to deny […]
Breaking Down Barriers: Standing Up for LGBTQ Patients
Members of the LGBTQ community may not be as comfortable seeing their doctors as you might think. A new study shows many individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning their sexuality can often face discrimination at the doctor’s office – and this can discourage them from seeking care again in the future. Finding another doctor to deliver the same services isn’t always an option, forcing some members of the LGBTQ community to forgo care altogether. We’re here to shed some light on LGBTQ discrimination in healthcare, so you can make sure everyone feels welcome at your facility. […]
Supreme Court Extends Protections for LGBTQ+ Workers
It’s been a long and difficult struggle for healthcare workers who identify as LGBTQ+. The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on health facilities and communities across the country. Many providers have been worried about their health and safety. Personal protection equipment has been limited at many facilities and testing for the virus remains scarce. On top of these concerns, LGBTQ+ providers have also had to worry about being fired due to their sexuality or gender identity. But not anymore. The U.S. Supreme Court has just ruled to extend protections for LGBTQ+ workers to all 50 states, a massive win for […]
From a Dentist to the Stars to Koala-Saving Vets: The Best Instagram Accounts to Follow in Healthcare for 2020
A picture says a thousand words, or in the case of our best accounts to follow, hundreds of thousands. From Dentist to the Stars Gabe Rosenthal, to an Australian Veterinarian who is saving Koala bears during Australia’s insane wildfires. Below are some of our favorite social media stars, earning a place on our list of the top Instagram accounts to follow in 2020, we start with med student JP Scott, the Ambassador to the new LGBTQ hub of Scrubs Mag. @jpscott.med View this post on Instagram A post shared by J.P., MS3⚕️ (@jpscott.med) on Jan 16, 2020 at […]
Nigerian Man Forced into Conversion Therapy by His Sister Tells All
A Nigerian man, who is keeping his identity a secret for his own safety, took a leap of faith when he came out to his family as a homosexual. Nigeria passed the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act back in 2013. Under the law, same-sex marriage comes with a possible penalty of life in prison. Homosexuality is outright banned across the country. “Homosexual acts” carry a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison. Soon after the Nigerian man came out to his family, his sister told him she wanted to meet, but when she arrived, she visited her brother with another […]
Introducing Project THRIVE: Improving the Health and Safety of LGBTQ Youth
Many young people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer can endure increased suffering from physical violence, harassment, and emotional distress, including depression and thoughts of suicide. Improving the health of LGBTQ youth means creating a safe space for those who identify as such at home, in school, and throughout the community. Earlier this year, the Human Rights Campaign launched what’s known as Project THRIVE, a new program that’s designed to improve the lives of these youth. If you work with these teens as a nurse, educator, or counselor, learn more about this historic program and how it […]
Religious and Moral Exemptions: What You Need to Know
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has just enacted a new regulation that allows healthcare providers to opt out of procedures and health-related services that go against their moral and religious beliefs. The Trump administration has long sought to reaffirm the religious rights of healthcare workers, but opponents of the new rule say it could decrease access to care and lead to discrimination against women, members of the LGBTQ community and religious minorities. If you or someone you know may want to take advantage of this rule or you’d like to know more about how it could affect […]
New Trump Rule Reverses Health Care Protections for LGBTQ Patients
Emmarie Huetteman A new Trump administration proposal would change the civil rights rules dictating whether providers must care for patients who are transgender or have had an abortion. Supporters of the approach say it protects the freedom of conscience, but opponents say it encourages discrimination. The sweeping proposal has implications for all Americans, though, because the Department of Health and Human Services seeks to change how far civil rights protections extend and how those protections are enforced. Roger Severino, the director of the HHS Office for Civil Rights, has been candid about his intentions to overturn an Obama-era rule that […]
5 Trailblazers Making Waves in LGBTQ Healthcare
It’s Pride month, and we’re taking some time to honor some of the most influential people at the intersection of the LGBTQ community and healthcare. Accessing life-saving medicine and medical care can be difficult for many LGBTQ individuals across the U.S. and abroad. Learn more about what these trailblazers are doing to increase access to healthcare for the community. Gilead Sciences HIV has long been a cause for concern for members of the LGBTQ community. Gay and bisexual men remain the most affected by HIV in the United States. According to the CDC, gay and bisexual men accounted for 67% […]
