Championing Inclusive Healthcare for LGBT+ Families

The Journey to Inclusive Healthcare

At Proud 2 b Parents, we are deeply committed to supporting LGBT+ parents, carers, and their children across the UK. We provide vital services that combat isolation, improve mental health, and create safe, affirming spaces for families. While we’ve seen positive changes in healthcare, the truth is that LGBT+ families continue to face significant barriers.

Traditional family models still dominate the healthcare system, leaving many LGBT+ parents feeling overlooked or misunderstood. This doesn’t just cause inconvenience – it leads to real, measurable impacts on health outcomes, emotional well-being, and trust in healthcare providers. In order to move forward, we must listen to the lived experiences of LGBT+ parents/ carers and take action to change the systems that keep us at a disadvantage.

The Challenges LGBT+ Families Face in Healthcare

We’ve heard countless stories from LGBT+ families that shine a light on the ongoing struggles they face when accessing healthcare:

Many families report being misidentified, especially non-birthing parents in same-sex relationships. Standard forms and even conversations in healthcare settings often default to ‘mother and father,’ which doesn’t reflect the diversity of family structures within the LGBT+ community.

LGBT+ parents seeking fertility treatments or navigating adoption processes often face services that are assumed to be for heterosexual couples. This can result in dismissive attitudes, lack of knowledge about legal rights for same-sex parents, or, in some cases, outright discrimination.

Research shows that LGBT+ individuals are at an increased risk of mental health challenges, largely due to stigma, discrimination, and social isolation. However, mental health services are often ill-equipped to provide the affirming care that LGBT+ parents need, leaving many struggling to find support that understands their experiences.

What Needs to Change?

The good news is that meaningful change is possible—and it begins with healthcare providers taking a proactive stance to ensure that LGBT+ families are welcomed, represented, and respected. Here are some key areas for improvement:

Healthcare professionals must receive training that promotes LGBT+ inclusive care. This means using appropriate language, adjusting forms to reflect diverse family structures, and ensuring policies do not default to heteronormative or cisnormative assumptions.

Perinatal care, mental health services, and parenting resources should be designed with LGBT+ perspectives in mind. Services that actively integrate our experiences will meet the needs of all families, not just some.

Health policies and guidelines need to reflect the lived experiences of LGBT+ families. We must ensure that LGBT+ voices are not only included but are integral in shaping how healthcare services are developed and delivered.

Simple but impactful steps, like displaying inclusive imagery in waiting rooms, having staff wear pronoun badges, or showing visible support for LGBT+ health initiatives, can help create a welcoming environment. This visibility sends a clear message that all families matter.

Leading the Charge for Change

At Proud 2 b Parents, we don’t just support LGBT+ families—we are working actively to drive systemic change. We engage with healthcare professionals, policymakers, and service providers to advocate for a healthcare system that is truly inclusive. Through training, advocacy, and collaboration, we are reshaping how health and social care services approach LGBT+ families.

We’ve seen firsthand how inclusive care can transform experiences. When healthcare services are designed with equity in mind, families feel seen, heard, and supported. This leads to better engagement and improved health outcomes. It’s time for all health providers to step up and ensure that no family feels invisible.

Join the Conversation

Have you or someone you know experienced barriers when accessing healthcare as an LGBT+ parent or carer? What changes would you like to see in health services? We invite you to share your experiences and ideas in the comments or connect with us on social media. Together, we can advocate for a healthcare system that truly represents and supports every family.

Find out more about our work at: www.proud2bparents.co.uk