RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Fifteen-minute consultation in the normal child: Challenges relating to sexuality and gender identity in children and young people
JF Archives of disease in childhood - Education & practice edition
JO Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
SP edpract-2016-311449
DO 10.1136/archdischild-2016-311449
A1 Thomas O'Neill
A1 Justin Wakefield
YR 2017
UL http://ep.bmj.com/content/early/2017/05/11/archdischild-2016-311449.abstract
AB Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) young people face several challenges in their daily lives, including specific healthcare inequalities. Negative societal attitudes towards sexual and gender minorities, and the effects of regular experiences of bullying and homophobia/transphobia exacerbate the normal trials and tribulations of childhood and adolescence. Barriers to accessing healthy activities, such as sport, are created by perceived stigma and real-life experiences. Healthcare environments are by default heteronormative and contribute to the isolation and exclusion of LGBT+ young people. Paediatricians are well placed to act on these healthcare inequalities and to advocate for LGBT+ youth, through simple changes to individual practice as well as system-wide improvements.