Ensuring Equity: Interdisciplinary Practice With Rural LGBTQ Clients

The experiences of rural Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and/or Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals are often overlooked. While LGBTQ individuals, regardless of location, continue to face health inequality and poorer health outcomes than their heterosexual peers, rural environments may exacerbate these inequities. LGBTQ individuals in rural environments may face greater difficulty accessing affirming care resulting in poorer health outcomes. They may face more significant pressure to not self-disclose their identity and fear being identified as members of the LGBTQ community. In this presentation, we will discuss the experiences of rural LGBTQ populations across the life course and highlight promising approaches to delivering interdisciplinary affirming care.

• Describe the role of interdisciplinary teams in providing care to rural LGBTQ clients.
• Assess their practice environment for barriers that may prevent rural LGBTQ clients from seeking care.
• Implement affirming practices in their organization to increase engagement of rural LGBTQ individuals.

Aaron Guest, PhD, MPH, MSW