LGBTQ+ Discrimination in Filipino Healthcare: Urgent Action Needed for Neglected Needs
LGBTQ+ individuals in the Philippines continue to face discrimination in healthcare settings, with their unique needs often neglected. This discrimination includes the denial of health services, harassment, misgendering of transgender and non-binary individuals, and inadequate medical advice. The intersect of LGBTQ+ and women’s healthcare reveals shared challenges and needs, including reproductive health services, mental health support, and specialized care. However, both groups frequently encounter discrimination and stigma, ultimately affecting the quality and timeliness of the care they receive.
The healthcare system’s heteronormativity is evident in its failure to provide equal attention to the health needs of Filipino LGBTQ+ individuals. While HIV/AIDS-focused services have been implemented successfully, other general health services and programs, such as reproductive health, mental health, and substance abuse, adopt a one-size-fits-all approach. This approach disregards the unique factors experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals, leaving their specific health disparities unaddressed. Additionally, specialized services like gender-affirming therapies and surgeries for transgender and non-binary individuals, as well as hormone replacement therapies for intersex patients, remain largely inaccessible, especially outside of metropolitan cities where few non-profit organizations and private health providers have established gender clinics.
Within the healthcare setting, LGBTQ+ Filipinos face discrimination due to the prevailing stigma and lack of awareness among health providers regarding sexual orientation, gender identity, expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). This discrimination includes the denial of health services, harassment, misgendering, and provision of poor medical advice. As a result, LGBTQ+ individuals often postpone or delay seeking healthcare due to these negative experiences, resorting to self-medication in the absence of proper guidance.
The health outcomes of LGBTQ+ Filipinos are a cause for concern. Men who have sex with men and transgender women represent approximately 70% of HIV cases in the country. Moreover, LGBTQ+ individuals have higher rates of suicide ideation, suicide attempts, depression, and stress compared to their non-LGBTQ+ heterosexual peers. Unfortunately, there is a lack of routinely collected epidemiologic data on gender identity and sexual orientation, making it challenging to develop tailored healthcare interventions and perpetuating the systemic neglect of the community’s health needs.
The Philippine Universal Health Care Act of 2019 aims to provide equitable healthcare for all Filipinos. However, this goal cannot be achieved if the needs of the LGBTQ+ community continue to be overlooked. To establish a foundation of equitable healthcare, education is crucial for those shaping and delivering health services. Health workers, program implementers, and policymakers require specific training to treat LGBTQ+ patients with respect and understanding. This includes creating LGBTQ+-inclusive programs that actively work to eliminate barriers. Policymakers, in particular, hold substantial power in shaping healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community. Therefore, comprehensive training should encompass the societal implications and specific health disparities faced by this community. Armed with this knowledge, policymakers can enact legislation and policies that prioritize the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals, preventing their exclusion from healthcare equity, such as the SOGIE Equality Bill.
The healthcare disparities faced by the LGBTQ+ community, both in the Philippines and globally, demand immediate and comprehensive action. A multi-layered approach involving healthcare providers, program managers, and policymakers is essential to address the unique challenges and needs of this vulnerable community. The conversation surrounding LGBTQ+ issues must extend beyond Pride Month, as it is a collective responsibility to ensure the healthcare system evolves to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals and provide them with the equitable care they deserve.
