Chronic illness does not discriminate based on one's sexual orientation.  Chronic illness does not discriminate based on one's socioeconomic status.  "The transgender population continues to face major challenges in accessing and obtaining appropriate health care. A disproportionate number of transgender people are uninsured, and 19 percent have been denied care by health care providers. Most health care providers have had little or no formal training in addressing the needs of these patients, which can contribute to the minority stress that members of the transgender community may develop through stigmatization, avoidance, discrimination and prejudice. (1)

Lambda Legal reports that 70 percent of transgender individuals have suffered some form of maltreatment at the hands of medical providers, including harassment and violence. Suicide attempts among transgender individuals are extraordinarily high at approximately 25 to 43 percent. The prevalence increases in those who have had a negative experience with a health care professional." (1)  We are living in an ever-changing world.  It is past time for the medical field to accept the diversity.  Despite this growing population and documented evidence of relevant health disparities, medical schools are failing to appropriately prepare future physicians to care for LGBTQ+ people. In 2018, a survey of 658 medical students revealed that most respondents felt "not competent" or "somewhat not competent" with medical treatment of gender minority patients (76.7%) and patients with a difference of sex development (81%). (2)

A 2011 study  with complete responses from 132 medical schools found that the median amount of time spent on LGBTQ+ health topics in medical education was 5 hours, with the content of this education varying widely. Sexual orientation, gender identity, and safe sex practices were among the most common, while topics such as transgender healthcare and chronic disease risk were rarely offered. Further, a recent study in JAMA   highlighted how this lack of education results in negative health outcomes for patients. This survey of transgender, nonbinary, and genderqueer people indicated that those who felt their clinicians lacked knowledge of transgender care experienced significantly higher levels of psychological distress and worse self-reported health compared to individuals with knowledgeable providers. (2)

Chronic illness does not discriminate based on one's sexual orientation.  Chronic illness does not discriminate based on one's socioeconomic status.  What is discriminatory to me is the lack of education and inclusivity in medical school curriculum.

Resource

1. Mayo Clinic (2023) Addressing the challenges of transgender health care

    2.  MedPage Today (2023) The Case for Mandatory LGBTQ+ Health Education in Medical School