Beyond Pronouns: Including Gender-Affirming Practices in Medical School Curriculum

Many LGBTQ+ patients enter healthcare settings with a sense of fear or vulnerability, and something as simple as a provider asking for their chosen name and pronouns can profoundly shape whether they feel safe, respected, and seen. Yet despite clear evidence that gender-affirming language improves mental health, strengthens trust, and increases the likelihood that transgender and nonbinary patients will return for care, most medical schools still offer minimal training on LGBTQ+ health. This lack of preparation contributes to widespread misgendering, discrimination, and medical mistreatment—experiences that carry lasting emotional and physical consequences. Expanding queer- and trans-informed curricula is therefore not just a matter of professional competence, but a necessary step toward reducing health disparities and ensuring that every patient receives compassionate, equitable care.