The Gay-Lesbian-Bisexual-Transgendered Patient

Abstract

The lesbian, gay, and possibly bisexual person is afforded no legal recognition or privilege by virtue of "marriage." In many cases, the only way a gay/lesbian/ bisexual partner of the same gender gets access is by showing legal documents that indicate the partner would be "allowed" to visit. The psychological split that this can cause for the lesbian, gay, or bisexual person and their partner is damaging. Because so much of American society functions in dualistic value judgment thinking, this leaves the lesbigate person dealing with shame and guilt. Inevitably, the gay/lesbian/bisexual person becomes aligned with the "bad" object, which is somehow juxtaposed to all that which is theologically and psychologically "good." There is much health care professional's need to be concerned about in their listening, assessing, and caring for the lesbian, bisexual, gay, and transgendered person. It is important that all patients feel their concerns are being heard and taken seriously.