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As a nurse, you know that providing the best care starts with creating a safe environment and modelling your practice to be patient-centred. According to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, patient-centred care in safe environments is more cost-effective and leads to improvements to safety and quality of health care. But why is this level of care not prioritised when it comes to our colleagues?
As we continue on our journey to improving the health and wellbeing of the nursing profession, let us pave the way for a healthier, happier future that includes the needs of our LGBTIQA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and asexual/aromantic) colleagues. Our colleagues from the LGBTIQA+ community often face personal and professional struggles due to stigma against their sexuality. However, there are ways we can combat stigma and even the playing field.
To truly support every member of the team, we must move past superficial gestures and commit to creating space for everyone. Here are some tips on how to achieve this.
1. Upgrade your LGBTIQA+ vocabulary
Make 2023 the year you grow your vernacular with inclusive language. You’ve no doubt heard the words ‘inclusive language’ thrown around from time to time, but what does it actually mean?
Inclusive language can include using gender-neutral pronouns such as ‘they/them’ instead of ‘she/her’ or ‘he/him’. Try to avoid making your own assumptions about your colleagues’ sexual orientation or gender identity based on their appearance or behaviour.
Instead, by simply using non-binary pronouns it helps gender non-conforming individuals feel validated, safe, and respected. Plus, it gives you an opportunity to have a conversation with your colleague to ask them their preferred pronouns.
2. Confidentiality champions
In the same way we treat our patients with confidentiality, it is important to remember that your LGBTIQA+ colleague may not be ‘out’ or open about their sexuality/gender identity. If you have been privileged enough to be a safe space for your LGBTIQA+ colleague, honour their trust in you and recognise everyone is on a different journey.
It is not your responsibility to share with your team or patients the private information you have been trusted with. This may seem obvious, but failure to recognise the importance of colleague confidentiality could have catastrophic outcomes for your LGBTIQA+ teammate.
3. LGBTIQA+ Pride in policy
Workplace policies are a great space to start flexing those ally fingers. Advocate for non-discrimination policies that explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identity to keep your LGBTIQA+ colleague safe to do their job.
While we are on the topic of safety, show support for gender-neutral restrooms in your workplace. For transgender and non-binary colleagues, access to gender-neutral facilities not only acknowledges and affirms their gender identity, but it demonstrates your stance against discrimination and embracing of diversity.
Why does it matter? Everyone deserves to exist without discrimination, harassment, and prejudice based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
4. Brain gains
Take responsibility and recognise it is your duty to learn more. We live in a world where you can have immediate access to peer-reviewed papers explaining the complexities of time-travel. Take a second and invest in your LGBTIQA+ education.
I recommend fact sheets like those from True Relationships and Reproductive Health as a way for you to kick-start your knowledge in becoming a safe space for your LGBTIQA+ colleagues.
And when in doubt, just ask. It is much better to come into a conversation with openness and honesty about a gap in knowledge, than to assume and seriously fracture a relationship.
A small caveat to this, it is not your LGBTIQA+ colleague’s responsibility to teach or educate you. Take initiative and surprise them with all your new knowledge!
5. Forget ‘performative’ allyship
Spouting words like ‘gay rights!’ or reposting an LGBTIQA+ flag on social media isn’t an automatic rainbow star on your chest. Put your money where your mouth is.
Discrimination is alive and well, especially within health care. Your LGBTIQA+ colleagues need your support. If you see or hear another team member or patient making a discriminative joke, call them out. Period. You are the behaviour you walk past. Creating a safe space for your LGBTIQA+ colleagues is a fight worth fighting.
By fostering an environment where authenticity thrives and diversity is celebrated, not only will you go to the top of the karmic reward system, but you empower those who need a voice the most.
So as nurses, it is time to administer a dose of radical compassion, prescribe acceptance as a daily regimen, and infuse your workplace with empathy to support LGBTIQA+ colleagues.
Meet Elle, a Clinical Nurse, who works with state high schools by diligently spearheading initiatives in health promotion and fortifying health literacy. Elle has an unwavering commitment to sexual and reproductive health, where she champions accessible and inclusive health care for women and the LGBTIQA+ community. With a perfect blend of expertise and compassion, Elle empowers her patients to navigate their health journey with confidence and control. Elle is a Member of the Australian College of Nursing and proud Emerging Nurse Leader.
Connect with Elle on LinkedIn.
