June is Pride Month, a month-long celebration of the history, culture, and contributions of people that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. But it’s also a time when we can recognize the challenges facing people in the LGBTQ+ community, especially when it comes to accessing quality healthcare.
A 2020 survey of LGBTQ individuals by the Center for American Progress showed that 1 in 3 LGBTQ individuals experienced some form of discrimination when getting healthcare. Over 25% of LGBTQ people either postponed or failed to get medical care, and over 40% of transgender individuals skipped preventive care.
The waves of anti-transgender legislation sweeping the country only makes the situation worse, dramatically limiting access to medical care for individuals in transition. This legislation prevents care during critical stages of physical development, forcing transgender people to fight a lifetime of changes that could have been minimized. It’s another unnecessary and politically-motivated hurdle imposed on medical care at the cost of American citizens.
Because of issues like this, New Frontier decided 2023 was the year to join the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce, showing our support for the LGBTQ+ community.
New Frontier’s mission of “Imaging for Everyone” is based on providing quality, affordable care to all people, specifically targeting areas where race, gender, or income could limit care. This includes dignified healthcare for people in the LGBTQ+ community, and we’re proud to support this community throughout the year.