• To understand the historical context of the issues faced by people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other sexual and gender minorities (LGBT+)
• To recognise some of the challenges that LGBT+ people may experience in accessing healthcare
• To consider what actions nurses can take to ensure the care they provide is culturally competent
People who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other sexual and gender minorities (LGBT+) can encounter various challenges when seeking healthcare. For example, many LGBT+ individuals experience discrimination and social stigma from healthcare professionals, leading to feelings of mistrust. This might manifest as explicit homophobia or transphobia, inappropriate questioning, or a lack of consideration for the sensitivities around LGBT+ identities. Similarly, healthcare organisations may have policies that lack inclusivity, with administrative forms and procedures that do not consider diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Nurses are increasingly recognising the importance of providing inclusive care for individuals who identify as LGBT+, which involves being attentive to their specific needs. This article examines the barriers that may be encountered by LGBT+ individuals in healthcare services and offers recommendations for how nurses can deliver culturally sensitive healthcare to the LGBT+ community.
Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2025.e12339
Peer reviewThis article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software
Correspondence Conflict of interestNone declared
Pezzella A (2025) Ensuring culturally competent nursing care for LGBT+ people. Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2025.e12339
Published online: 23 January 2025
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