Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues
We know that bisexual, lesbian, gay and transgender students have many of the same health concerns as other students. We are also aware that your health care may sometimes need special understanding. We are committed to offering you that care with sensitivity and respect.
Medical Care
Students can visit the same medical practitioner for all of their health care. Once you find a practitioner you like, try to stick with this person. You’ll get better care and you’ll get to know each other. You can also change practitioners without giving a reason.
Vaden offers women’s health care with sensitivity to bisexual women and lesbians. It includes pelvic exams, pap smears, breast exams and prevention education.
We also focus special attention on gay and bisexual men’s self-care needs, including skin cancer prevention, fitness issues and nutritional supplements.
Sexual Health
Your medical provider can give you information, confidential testing and, if necessary, treatment for sexually transmitted infections. You can also discuss any related concerns during your visit.
Free anonymous testing for HIV is available to registered students. You can make an appointment with either a highly trained peer counselor or a professional health educator.
Primary medical care, medical follow-up and referrals to specialists are available for people living with HIV/AIDS.
The Sexual Health Peer Resource Center offers sexual health information and 12 condoms per quarter to registered students.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides individual and couples counseling. Students can discuss a full range of issues including coming out, relationships, homophobia, family, substance abuse, stress, sexual abuse and living with HIV. You can request a lesbian or gay therapist. We also offer many specialized support groups, including coming-out groups.
The Lesbian, Bisexual and Questioning Women Support Group
Many lesbian, bisexual and questioning women on campus express a sense of isolation, feeling invisible and unsupported by a male-dominated campus community. The purpose of this group is to build a better sense of community and support.We create a safe, relaxed atmosphere where women gather each week to take a break from academic and other types of stress. We discuss issues of sexuality, sexual orientation and other life issues not directly related to sexual identity and preference.
Undergraduates, graduate students and women in the professional schools attended this group in the past and found the support helpful.
Wellness
You and your Vaden medical practitioner can work together to enhance your health and prevent illness. You can discuss self-care and personal wellness issues that are important to you during your visit.
Wellness and Health Promotion
Services (HPS) is a partnership between professional staff and students
that works closely with peer health groups on campus.
HPS health education programs and outreach services deal with "hot" health
issues on campus. Topics include sexual health, nutrition, alcohol
and other drug abuse prevention, sexual assault prevention and eating disorders.
The Vaden Walk-in Health Library includes a collection of bisexual, lesbian and gay- specific materials.
Getting Involved
Gay, lesbian, and bisexual students are active in many peer health leadership positions. You can be a Peer Health Educator in a residence, at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Community Center, or the Women’s Center. You can also assume a leadership role in the HIV Peer Anonymous Counseling and Testing (HIV*PACT) program.
Other opportunities for involvement include the following:
- Student Health Advisory Board
- Sexual Health Peer Resource Center (SHPRC)
- Self-Defense Program
- Coalition against Sexual Assault
- CPR and First Aid Educators
See Get Involved: Volunteer Opportunities for more information.
Medical Records and Confidentiality
Medical records are strictly confidential. By law, your parents, friends, professors, school officials and insurance company do not have access to them. Records can be released only with your written consent or by court order.
You can discuss what is written in the medical record with your practitioner at the time of your visit.
Talking with Your Practitioner
Students often visit Vaden for sensitive reasons and it is common to have
some anxiety when seeing a medical practitioner. We anticipate and understand
this. It helps when you are open and tell us your concerns directly. We
will do our best to help you feel comfortable in exploring personal issues
that may relate to your health.
Sometimes you may choose not to discuss your sexual orientation or
sexual practices with your practitioner. But at other times you or your
practitioner may feel that information about your sexuality would enhance
the quality of your care. In this case, we encourage you to discuss relevant
information regarding your sexuality.
Care for Your Partner
Domestic partners of gay, lesbian and bisexual students can use Vaden Medical Services on a fee-for-service basis. A registered student may receive couples counseling at CAPS with his or her domestic partner. Health insurance for domestic partners of students is available through our Insurance Office.