Celebrating Pride

Vital Signs

June 2025 Edition: Written by Dr. Erica Walters, MD

Pride Month, celebrated annually in June, commemorates the LGBTQ+ rights movement and serves as a time to recognize the resilience, diversity, and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. At Associated Physicians, we are proud to stand with this community, not just during Pride Month, but every day by fostering an inclusive, affirming environment where all patients feel safe, seen, supported, and respected.  

Pride is more than just colorful flags and parades---it is a movement for equality. Despite the progress in LGBTQ+ rights since 1969, significant health disparities persist, particularly in LGBTQ+ adolescents. According to the CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 65% of LGBTQ+ students experienced persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, and 41% considered attempting suicide, as compared to 31% and 13% of their cisgender, heterosexual peers, respectively. People in the LGBTQ+ community are not inherently higher risk for suicide because of their gender identity or sexual orientation; rather the mistreatment and societal stigmatization of LGBTQ+ people increases risk of mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and suicide. The Trevor Project’s 2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People surveyed over 18,000 LGBTQ+ people ages 13 to 24 across the United States. They found that LGBTQ+ young people who reported living in accepting communities attempted suicide at less than half the rate of those who reported living in unaccepting communities.  

At our clinic, we recognize these disparities and are committed to providing inclusive, affirming care for all patients. Our team is trained in culturally competent care that respects every patient's identity. We strive to use inclusive language, honor chosen names and pronouns, and maintain a safe and welcoming space for all. We offer confidential, judgment-free care for all patients, including support for gender-affirming care, mental health, and sexual and reproductive health.  

This Pride Month, I urge you to make a difference, because every inclusive word, action, and policy can help save a life.  

References: 

1. https://www.history.com/articles/pride-month 

2. https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-youth/lgbtq-youth/health-disparities-among-lgbtq-youth.html  

3. https://trevorproject.github.io/survey-2024/  

4. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/dating-sex/Pages/Four-Stages-of-Coming-Out.aspx?_gl=1*wswba8*_ga*MTAxOTc1MTk3Mi4xNzE3ODA5NzU0*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*MTc0NjE0ODYwNS4yLjAuMTc0NjE0ODYwNS4wLjAuMA 

Dr. Erica Walters, MD, Pediatrician