By Frank Pizzoli
The Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide
To the extent that LGBT people experience disparities in healthcare access, this book is dedicated to empowering them to find resources. With a foreword by trans woman Dr. Rachel L. Levine, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Health, the book include sections for teenagers, young adults, the middle aged, and seniors. The 26 chapters cover how to navigate the healthcare system in a growing range of identities and issues: intersex and transgender care, chests binding, bisexuality, queer family planning, and sex education; plus homelessness, HIV, suicide, digital age sex, grief, cancer, tobacco use, and elder social isolation. Confirming the book’s premise, The Center for Disease Control data indicate that LGBT people face social challenges and barriers to healthcare access that often create worse health outcomes. Challenges include discrimination, rejection, workplace inequality, and outright denials of care. In the face of these disparities, the book offers testimonials, how-to- and how not-to-advice, and example of best practices. Included are road maps for action to improve LGBT healthcare for students and professionals, policymakers, and activists.
Adrian Shanker is an award-winning activist and organizer whose career has centered on advancing progress for the LGBT community. He has worked as an arts fundraiser, labor organizer, marketing manager, and served as President of Equality Pennsylvania for three years before founding Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in Allentown, PA, where he serves as executive director. An accomplished organizer, Adrian has led numerous successful campaigns to advance LGBT progress through municipal nondiscrimination and relationship recognition laws and laws to protect LGBT youth from conversion therapy. A specialist in LGBT health policy, he has developed leading-edge health promotion campaigns to advance health equity through behavioral, clinical, and policy changes.
