Pride Month: Celebrating Progress and Acknowledging the Work Ahead
— THE SHORT VERSION
Pride Month is a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and recognize the ongoing work needed to achieve health equity for all.
Inclusive language matters. Terms like “people who menstruate” help ensure everyone can access information and care that reflects their experiences.
LGBTQ+ individuals continue to face barriers to healthcare, including discrimination, gaps in provider training, and limited health data.
These barriers contribute to disparities in mental health, chronic disease, cognitive health, and access to preventive screenings.
Progress is happening thanks to LGBTQ+ healthcare workers, advocates, and organizations working to make care more affirming, accessible, and equitable.
Everyone deserves healthcare that respects their identity, supports their autonomy, and helps them make informed decisions about their health.
It is officially June, which means it is Pride Month! Here at Comma, we want to recognize the importance of this month and recommit to using language that is inclusive, affirming, and supportive of everyone.
One of the core beliefs of Comma is that everyone deserves healthcare autonomy. This Pride Month, we want to draw attention to the gaps in our healthcare system that continue to perpetuate disparities for LGBTQ+ individuals — and celebrate the progress being made to close them.
"People Who Menstruate" — And Why Language Like That Matters
Using precise and inclusive language means nobody gets left out of the conversation about their own body. This is why we use the term “people who menstruate,” rather than assuming everyone who menstruates identifies as a woman. Menstrual healthcare includes everyone: cisgender women, transgender men, and non-binary individuals alike.
Additionally, using the term “period products” instead of “feminine hygiene products” is another intentional choice of ours. We always avoid using exclusive language that implies these products are only designed for cisgendered women.
Access to Healthcare Services
Discrimination and stigma affect how LGBTQ+ individuals receive and experience healthcare. Many people avoid seeking care altogether out of fear of being mistreated, misgendered, or dismissed by a provider. To put it simply, this is a public health crisis. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, especially when it comes to their own health.
So where does this problem stem from? Two major drivers of this gap are the lack of LGBTQ+ health data and the lack of LGBTQ+ health training in medical schools. Most medical schools still dedicate very little time to LGBTQ+ health competencies, which means many providers are ill-equipped to offer affirming, competent care. Without that foundation, collecting accurate and representative health data becomes much more difficult. And as we know, without health data, it’s even harder to understand trends, close gaps, and improve outcomes.
Disparities in Care
When people don’t feel safe seeking care, it shows up in their health. Here are just a few of the ways LGBTQ+ individuals are disproportionately affected:
Higher rates of depression and anxiety. Navigating a world that wasn't built for you takes a real toll. LGBTQ+ individuals experience significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and loneliness — not because of who they are, but because of the barriers they face.
Greater risk of cognitive decline. Chronic stress over a lifetime isn't just emotionally exhausting; it's physically harmful. Research links lifelong minority stress to a higher risk of premature cognitive aging and dementia in LGBTQ+ older adults.
More chronic physical health conditions. From cardiovascular disease to chronic pain, LGBTQ+ individuals carry a heavier physical health burden, which is often worsened by delayed or avoided care due to fear of discrimination.
Gaps in reproductive and sexual health screenings. Provider assumptions about gender and sexuality mean many LGBTQ+ individuals miss critical screenings they actually need. Inclusive, affirming care isn't just kind — it's clinically important.
Working Towards a Better Future
LGBTQ+ healthcare workers have been essential in working towards building an inclusive and effective healthcare system, and this is not new. For decades, these professionals have been shaping inclusive care from the inside. From early activism and advocacy during the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, providers and advocates have driven real progress in treatment, prevention, and destigmatization.
Alongside this, healthcare professionals have worked to create safe spaces where patients feel welcomed, respected, and free from judgement. The mental and emotional toll that many LGBTQ+ individuals face is real; safe, affirming care is one of the most powerful tools we have to address it.
The growth of LGBTQ+ specialized healthcare services has also helped fill critical gaps in access. At Comma, we believe that access to care (and to your own health data), is something everyone deserves. That belief begins with the language we use and extends to our commitment to helping you understand your body, make informed decisions, and advocate for yourself with confidence.
Resources for Support
If you or someone you know needs support, these organizations are here to help:
The Trevor Project: Crisis Services + Peer Support
Text “START” to 678-678 or call 1-866-488-7386 for free, confidential support 24/7/365
To find local LGBTQ+ friendly care by you
BlackLine: a culturally responsive crisis and support line centering Black, Indigenous, and People of Color who are also LGBTQ+
Call 1-800-604-5841
Trans Lifeline: peer support and crisis hotline run by and for transgender people
1-877-565-8860 (United States)
1-877-330-6366 (Canada)
LGBT National Help Center: Free, confidential peer support
National Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
Coming Out Hotline: 1-888-688-5428
This Pride Month and every month, know that you are not alone. Your health matters, your identity matters, and you deserve care that reflects that. We're in your corner.
Written By:
Caroline Morin
Caroline is a Comma intern who is a Communication major at Virginia Tech. Her interests lie in brand communication, marketing, and publishing.
