Lesbians’ Rights and Cancer

Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender women with Cancer have the:

1. Right to the provision of sensitive, culturally appropriate care that is not diminished, altered or impacted by biases, stereotypes or assumptions held by providers. In addition, LBT women with cancer should have access to providers trained in lesbian, bisexual, and transgender cultural competency and who are knowledgeable about the specific health care needs of LBT patients.

2. Right to not suffer repercussions from disclosing pertinent information about their sexual orientation, behavior or identity. While it is expected that health care providers be receptive and sensitive to cultures and lifestyles different from their own, this is often not the case. Negative views toward homosexuality, should not, in any way, interfere with the provision of quality care to LBT women with cancer. No patient should be denied health care services, nor be treated in an unprofessional, discourteous or demeaning manner because of disclosure of their sexual orientation and nor should there be assumptions made about their sexual orientation or behavior.

• For more information, please contact Mautner Project,
• The National Lesbian Health
• Organization
• 1875 Connecticut Ave., NW
• Suite 710
• Washington, DC 20009

• [ t ] 202 332 5536
• [ f ] 202 332 0662
• [toll-free] 1-866-MAUTNER (1-866-628-8637)