LGBTQ+ Migrant Health Inclusion

LGBT Foundation is a charity dedicated to empowering and uplifting LGBTQ+ communities, with a focus on health and wellbeing initiatives. As part of our membership in the National LGBT Partnership, we work regularly with the VCSE Health and Wellbeing Alliance. Our 2022/23 work programme included a project dedicated to finding out more information about the barriers to accessing healthcare for LGBTQ+ migrants. We interviewed several participants with the aim of best understanding how inclusion health practice can approach complex lived experiences holistically instead of segregating identities into disparate, constituent parts.

Participant 6 shared an instance of when they first registered with a GP in the UK. They had never lived here before, meaning they were learning to navigate an entirely new healthcare system and culture. They were not fluent in English at the time and shared a concern around translation: “I did not know the translator and was not told how they were given to my case. Because I have some specific local terms that describe my sexuality, I was constantly worried that my answers were not being properly recorded and there was no way for me to find out.”

Translation is a basic access issue for anyone requiring linguistic support, but that support also needs to be culturally competent. It is not just a case of translating broad terms, but specific and nuanced terminology. Participant 6 was not sure they were able to fully advocate for themselves in what should be a routine healthcare process. Moreover, they had no way of evaluating the situation and offering feedback to their provider.

In this specific instance, it is vital for healthcare professionals and services to check with LGBTQ+ and migrant groups and communities to ensure the quality of translation. As a broader recommendation, this case study underlines the importance of coproducing service delivery, and accommodating nuance. LGBT Foundation is aiming to publish a report on our findings on LGBTQ+ migrant health inclusion, including a series of best practice recommendations, similar to our previous and ongoing work with other community groups. We hope this creates more conversations about complex needs, ultimately empowering communities and individuals like Participant 6.