Meet the CMN Hospitals Leading the Charge on LGBTQ Equality

LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) Pride Month is celebrated in June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals raises funds to ensure all kids receive the best care. During Pride Month we are celebrating the efforts of those who help kids and families in the LGBTQ community have the care they need when they need it most.

For the entire month of June, we are celebrating Pride and we wanted to kick the month off with a celebration of our hospitals who have been honored as LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leaders by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).

This past year, a record number of healthcare facilities opened their doors to allow the Human Rights Campaign in for an evaluation of how they treat LGBTQ patients and workers. Every year the HRC compiles the data of all participating facilities into a resource which patients and their families can use to find the equitable and inclusive care they need.

Sadly, many cases still occur where LGBTQ people face discrimination in healthcare environments, whether it is being denied bathroom use in hospitals, receiving less care after revealing their status, or enduring demeaning comments and aggression from staff. According to the HRC, 70% of transgender or gender non-conforming patients and 56% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual patients reported discrimination in a healthcare environment. These realities make information and guidance for families of LGBTQ youth incredibly valuable.

In 2019, 30 pediatric hospitals participated, answering questions about their staff training, patient services, employment policies, and engagement with patients and the wider community. We want to honor the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals facilities that were acknowledged by the HRC for their commitment to LGBTQ patients, their families, and healthcare workers. Each of the following Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals received perfect scores from the HRC and earned the title of 2019 LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader:

• Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago (IL)
• Boston Children’s Hospital (MA)
• Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CA)
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (PA)
• Cohen Children’s Medical Center (NY)
• Duke Health (NC)
• Geisinger Medical Center (PA)
• KU Medical Center (KS)
• Monroe Carrell Jr Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt (TN)
• Norton Children’s Hospital (KY)
• Oishei Children’s Hospital (NY) (Formerly Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo) 
• St. Louis Children’s Hospital (MO)
• Seattle Children’s Hospital (WA)
• UC Davis Medical Center (CA)
• UF Health Jacksonville (FL)
• UNM Children’s Hospital (NM)
• UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (PA)
• UVA Health (VA)

.@HRC released its 12th Healthcare Equality Index, which scores health care facilities on policies & practices ensuring the equitable treatment & inclusion of LGBTQ patients, visitors & employees.

400+ facilities earned a 💯 score. #HEI2019 #LGBTQHealth https://t.co/RkPHWSf6GN pic.twitter.com/DtLvglYq6b

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 16, 2019

Earning this recognition means that LGBTQ patients, families, and workers can go to these facilities knowing that they are in good hands. Each of these pediatric hospitals received perfect scores according to the HRC’s Equality Index. This means that they had policies protecting LGBTQ patients and employees with non-discrimination policies that protect sexual orientation and gender identity. These protections include LGBTQ families, ensuring that partners always have a right to visit their loved ones. Due to their commitment to non-discrimination, employees get equal benefits and insurance coverage. Each hospital also has staff undergo training to ensure every member of the healthcare staff can properly and sensitively care for LGBTQ patients.

Patients at facilities awarded LGBTQ Healthcare Equal Leader status have a variety of resources and programs at their disposal to receive the support they need while receiving treatment. Patients are asked to self-identify both sexual orientation and gender identity to better cater to the specific needs that might arise. These hospitals also made patients aware that they had the right to designate a person of their choice, including a same-sex partner, to make medical decisions on their behalf.

On top of all these inward commitments, these facilities also engaged in public-facing advocacy for and engagement with their local LGBTQ communities. This means that they have designed logos and marketing materials to make sure patients know they are entering a welcoming environment, publicly supporting LGBTQ equality at the local, state, and federal levels, and engaging with local LGBTQ events.

There’s still a lot of progress to be made in the realm of LGBTQ equality and equity. We are proud of our Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals leading the charge into a better future where everyone can be themselves without fear.

We know that the challenges of recent months may be taking a toll on the mental health of our community. Mental wellness is something we hope everyone can access. Here are some resources if you need them from our friends a TakeThis.org.

Don’t forget to sign up for Extra Life to help sick and injured kids in hospitals around the US and Canada by playing games!