Experts raise awareness of neurosexuality challenges faced by members of the LGBTQIA+ community
What is it about?
The particular needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and people with other sexual orientations and forms of gender expression (LGBTQIA+) living with a neurological disorder are neglected in clinical practice and research. The invisibility of LGBTQIA+ individuals with neurological disorders reflects the historical exclusion of marginalized identities and creates disparities of access to healthcare. The relative neglect of LGBTQIA+ individuals with neurological disorders in clinical practice and research is striking. Taken together, dementia is the most common neurological disorder documented in LGBTQIA+ people. On the contrary, there is much less research conducted in LGBTQIA+ individuals with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, stroke, and epilepsy. When the realities of LGBTQIA+ individuals with neurological disorders are not acknowledged, there is a potential for the violation of their basic rights, including access to quality healthcare. As such, healthcare professionals working with individuals with neurological disorders have the responsibility to create safer spaces in their clinical practice, including the use of inclusive language, the modification of admission forms to reflect diverse realities, the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in their institutional policies, and participate in continuing education to challenge misconceptions, stereotypes, and negative attitudes.
Why is it important?
In the current political climate, advocating for individuals with neurological disorders whose realities intersect with minority identities is extremely important. When a neurological disorder affects individuals being part of minority identities, the lack of safer spaces produces fear and increases mistrust in the healthcare system. A positive change in the culture of neurological disabilities needs to provide everyone with the opportunity to receive optimal and high-quality care. LGBTQIA+ individuals with neurological disorders want their realities to be acknowledged and their identities recognized and affirmed when accessing the healthcare system. The invisibility of LGBTQIA+ individuals with neurological disorders translates into diminished quality of care or inappropriate care, lack of recognition of all family configurations, exclusion of family caregivers, and violations of human rights (e.g., the right to be treated with dignity).