Gay Healthcare is Hard to Find

While recently sitting in a jacuzzi with a bunch of hot naked men (I was on vacation), I got into a discussion with a nurse about the need for gays to have better access to healthcare. You see, many of us see straight doctors, and even many gay-friendly doctors aren't aware of how they should be treating us differently from their straight male patients. They're oftentimes not aware that we need regular pap tests for HPV virus, hepatitis vaccination, and STD testing for those of us who are, well, er, sexually active.

According to the Gay Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA), "there is still considerable ignorance about LGBT health issues, with many assuming that LGBT health involves only HIV/AIDS. In fact, the full scope of the LGBT health agenda includes breast and cervical cancer, hepatitis, mental health, substance abuse, tobacco use, depression, access to care for transgender persons, and other concerns."

So, how can one go about finding a doctor who's aware of health issues affecting gay men? Well, in the USA, check out GLMA's website, where they have a Doctors Referral webpage. In other countries, check out the following:

The UK's Gay and Lesbian Association of Doctors and Dentists
secretary@gladd.org.uk
http://www.gladd.org.uk

Homoscarabins
A group for French lesbian and gay medical students
E-mail - homoscarabins@free.fr
http://fr.groups.yahoo.com/group/homoscarabins/

Netzwerk lesbischer Aerztinnen
A group for lesbian doctors in German-speaking countries
http://www.netzwerk-charlotte.de

SOGLAD
The Southern Ontario Gay & Lesbian Association of Doctors
Email - SOGLAD@web.net
http://www.utoronto.ca/diversity_in_medicine/glbtmeds/events.htm

ALMA
The Australian Lesbian Medical Association
A group for lesbian doctors, medical students and their partners.
http://www.almas.net.au