Experiences of LGBT parents when accessing healthcare for their children: a literature review

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

There are increasing numbers of parents who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT), but there is little research on the experiences of LGBT parents when accessing healthcare for their children. The aims of this literature review were to identify existing articles on the topic, explore LGBT parents’ experiences and draw implications for practice. The review included ten studies published from 1995 onwards and conducted in Australia, Sweden, the US and Finland. Many LGBT parents had positive experiences while others had encountered overt homophobia. However, there remained an underlying sense of heteronormativity, with many healthcare professionals making heterosexist assumptions and healthcare forms being heterocentric.

The documentation used in healthcare settings should be adapted and healthcare professionals should improve their awareness on this issue and have training on how to recognise and include LGBT families. The review did not identify any studies on this subject from the UK, which suggests that research on the healthcare experiences of families with LGBT parents in the UK is required.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)17-24
Number of pages8
JournalNursing Children and Young People
Volume33
Issue number3
Early online date4 Jan 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 May 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 RCN Publishing Company Ltd. All rights reserved. Not to be copied, transmitted or recorded in any way, in whole or part, without prior permission of the publishers.

Keywords

  • bisexual
  • experience
  • gay
  • healthcare
  • lesbian
  • parents
  • transgender

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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