Rainbow Health serves Ontario's LGBT community

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Sherbourne Health Centre has long been a leader in lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) health issues. Now, with the launch of a new website, the community agency will be spreading its wealth of knowledge across Ontario.

Sherbourne will be the home base for Rainbow Health Ontario, a provincially funded one-stop location where patients and health care providers can find out more about health care options and advances in care.

The site lists doctors and health care professionals who have expertise in, and sensitivity to, LGBT issues, updates on research projects taking place across the province and resource materials.

"It will reduce the silence and invisibility still surrounding the LGBT community in the health system," said Rainbow Health director Anna Travers. "It's building on the work done by the Sherbourne Health Centre, but instead of having those services locally, they're now province-wide."

Rainbow Health will have outreach members in every local health integration network across the province, ensuring that members of the LGBT community throughout Ontario have support and remain informed about the health care options available in their own regions.

The website (www.rainbowhealthontario.ca) is much-needed, as ignorance and prejudice among some health care professionals has led many in the LGBT community to avoid getting medical help.

"It ranges from overt homophobia and transphobia to service providers who feel some discomfort from not knowing what to say or how explicit to be about sexual orientation (with patients)," Travers said.

The site also offers information on health challenges that are often more prevalent among the LGBT community, from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections to stress-related issues such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse.

Minister of Health and Long-Term Care David Caplan said the site will break down barriers and re-establish Ontario as a leader in ensuring fair and equitable health care for all.

"Access to care goes beyond simply being able to walk into a doctor's office or emergency room," he said. "Access includes knowing the doctor, nurse or social worker will have access and sensitivity to LGBT issues."

Former Health Minister George Smitherman was instrumental in the development of Rainbow Health Ontario. He said the Sherbourne Health Centre was the ideal location for Rainbow Health due to its long history of providing top-notch services for the LGBT community.

"At Sherbourne, we have created a place where community mass can come together and create a dynamism and knowledge base," he said. "The knowledge should not be trapped in that area. We will ensure that people across the province get their needs met."