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In this Issue

The big news of the week is that the CDC issued a new guidance today allowing fully vaccinated people to stop wearing masks both outdoors and indoors, with some exceptions. It’s still unclear how this guidance affects those living with a condition or taking medication that weakens their immune system. Those individuals should talk to their healthcare provider to discuss their activities and may need to keep taking all precautions to prevent COVID-19.

In other exciting news, the Biden administration announced that it will interpret and enforce Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 USC 18116) prohibiting discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Future rulemaking is expected, but, in the interim, the Office for Civil Rights makes it clear that it will “accept, investigate, and resolve complaints” of health care discrimination from LGBTQ people through Section 1557—a reversal of Trump administration policy regarding the PPACA and transgender individuals. 

And, as we enter the third full week of May, we also mark Hepatitis Awareness Month across the US. LGBTQ communities bear an unequal burden of Hepatitis with about 10% of new Hepatitis A and 20% of all new Hepatitis B infections in the United States are among gay and bisexual men. 

That and more, in this issue...

— Scott Bertani, Director of Advocacy

Policy and Advocacy

The Biden administration reinstates Obama-era protections included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) for transgender and all LGBTQ people. Read More

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month and the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released new buprenorphine practice guidelines on April 28. Read More

The Washington State legislature made news this week, as they charged the Washington State LGBTQ Commission with examining and developing recommendations regarding changes to the Medicaid drug formulary; the impact of drug access on public health; and the statewide goal of reducing HIV transmissions. Additionally, the legislature is providing funds for an STI, PrEP, and PEP workgroup to address the spread of sexually transmitted infections in WA. Read More

And, in other Pacific Northwest news, the Oregon State Legislature took a major step toward allowing pharmacists to prescribe PrEP and PEP drugs. Read More

Stats on the State of LGBTQ Health 

LGBTQ STEM professionals are 20% more likely more likely than non-LGBTQ scientists to have experienced some kind of professional devaluation.
» LINK
1 in 5 transgender people seeking care in the last year reported being refused care due to their gender identity.
»LINK

Coalition Resource

LGBTQIA Inclusion: Assessing Organizational Cultural Responsiveness to Engage Clients

Upcoming Events

May 2021
Hepatitis Awareness Month
» Learn more

May 17, 2021
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
» Learn more

May 19, 2021
Hepatitis Testing Day
» Learn more

June 2021
LGBTQ Pride Month

Studying LGBTQ Health & Science

Systemic inequalities for LGBTQ professionals in STEM - ScienceAdvances

Findings from this study show that, when controlling for variation by demographic, discipline, and job factors, LGBTQ STEM professionals were more likely to experience career limitations, harassment, and professional devaluation than their non-LGBTQ peers.

» Read the Article

» Read the Article Review in Nature

LGBTQ News

The National Coalition for LGBT Health is committed to improving the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals through federal and local advocacy, education, and research. The Coalition strives to address the entire LGBT community, including individuals of every sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, and age regardless of disability, income, education, and geography. The Coalition is an initiative of HealthHIV, a national nonprofit focused on health equity.

With any questions, contact Matthew Prior at matthew@healthlgbt.org.

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