How to tell if a provider is LGBTQ+ affirming

In our 2025 survey of 126 LGBTQ+ adults, most people told us they feel anxious about being LGBTQ+ when they look for care, and most had dealt with a provider who didn't understand them. Finding someone who gets it shouldn't take detective work. Until it's easier, here's what to look for.

Before you book

Read the website

Look for a nondiscrimination policy that names sexual orientation and gender identity, not just a line saying all patients are welcome. If you need something specific, check that it's listed plainly.

Look at the intake forms

Many practices post their forms online. Affirming forms ask for the name you use and your pronouns, and ask about gender identity separately from the sex you were assigned at birth. Forms that only offer "male or female" or "husband or wife" tell you something too.

Check how the hospital scores

For hospitals and large health systems, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Healthcare Equality Index is a useful signal. It looks at whether nondiscrimination policies include sexual orientation and gender identity, and whether staff are trained in LGBTQ+ patient care. In 2026, 741 facilities took part and 323 earned the top "LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader" designation. It rates the facility, not any single doctor, so treat it as one clue among several.

Call and ask

You don't have to give your name. A few questions tell you a lot:

• Do you see many LGBTQ+ patients?
• Has your staff had training on caring for LGBTQ+ patients?
• How do you record the name and pronouns I use?

Notice how they answer, not just what they say. A good office answers plainly. Confusion or a long pause is information too.

At the appointment

• They use your name and pronouns. If they slip, they correct themselves and move on without making it about them.
• They ask instead of assuming. "Who are your partners?" rather than "Do you have a boyfriend?"
• Their questions match why you came. If you're there for a sore throat, your identity shouldn't become the topic.
• You don't have to teach them the basics of your life before they can help you.

A good provider makes you feel like a patient, not a teaching moment.

Red flags

• Refusing to see you or to provide care you asked for
• Jokes or comments about your identity or relationships
• Misgendering you again after you've corrected them
• Making you feel judged for your body, your relationships, or your family

If something went wrong, our guide on what to do after a bad experience walks through your options.

After the visit

Ask yourself: did I feel heard? Were my questions answered? Would I go back? Trust that feeling. You're allowed to switch providers, even after one visit.