GLMA Joins Lawsuit to Block HHS Healthcare Discrimination Rule

On 6/22/20, GLMA joined a lawsuit filed by Lambda Legal and Steptoe & Johnson LLP, challenging the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently published healthcare discrimination rule that purports to carve out transgender and LGBQ people and other vulnerable populations from the protections of Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, among other bases. GLMA is one of several organizational plaintiffs challenging the rule. Learn more here.

Victory: Supreme Court Rules for LGBTQ Workplace Protections

On June 15, 2020, the US Supreme Court ruled that LGBTQ people are protected from workplace discrimination under federal law, saying “it is impossible to discriminate against a person for being homosexual or transgender without discriminating against that individual based on sex.” GLMA President Scott Nass, MD, MPA, and GLMA Executive Director Hector Vargas, JD, issued a statement about the historic ruling available here.

HHS Rule Encourages Discrimination and Endangers LGBTQ Health

On June 12, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services released a final rule that eliminates federal regulations ensuring nondiscrimination in healthcare for transgender people and LGB people, people who are pregnant or seeking an abortion, those who require healthcare services in a language other than English, and other marginalized communities. In its announcement, HHS noted it was “restoring the rule of law” by interpreting sex discrimination “according to the plain meaning of the word ‘sex’ as male or female and as determined by biology.” GLMA issued a statement condemning the action. Read the full statement here.

GLMA Issues Statement on Racism and Racial Violence

On June 5th, 2020 GLMA issued a statement in support of the Black community, calling for an end to racism, racial violence and police brutality. In the statement, GLMA pledged to show up in ways it hasn’t previously for Black communities, especially Black LGBTQ communities. Please click here to read the full statement.



1,000+ Health Professionals Join Letter Opposing Healthcare Rights Law Rollback

On May 28, more than 1000 healthcare providers, health professionals and students sent a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar and other key administration officials expressing opposition to a pending final regulation that would rollback nondiscrimination protections in healthcare for transgender and LGB individuals, women, people with disabilities and patients who need communication assistance in their native languages. The letter calls on the administration to suspend implementation of the final rule, especially during a pandemic when HHS should focus on providing care to all, not setting up barriers to healthcare. GLMA and the National Center for Transgender Equality organized the sign-on effort. To learn more and view the letter, click here.

Second Open Letter on COVID-19 Focuses on Nondiscrimination, Data Collection, and Economic Harm for LGBTQ Communities

On April 21, 2020, GLMA, Whitman-Walker Health, the National LGBT Cancer Network, the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance, the New York Transgender Advocacy Group, and SAGE issued a second open letter to public health officials, healthcare institutions and government leaders on the impact of COVID-19 on LGBTQ communities. The letter, joined by 170 organizations, called for action to protect LGBTQ patients from discrimination and to include sexual orientation and gender identity in data collection efforts related to the pandemic. The letter also called for action to address the economic harm to LGBTQ communities from the pandemic.



To read the full letter and list of signatories, click here.

FDA Changes MSM Blood Donation Policy

On April 2, 2020, the FDA announced it was changing its blood donation policy by lowering the deferral period for a man who has had sex with another man from 12 months to 3 months. GLMA has been advocating for changes to the blood donation policy affecting gay and bisexual men since 1982. In a statement, GLMA President Scott Nass, MD, MPA, and GLMA Executive Director Hector Vargas, JD, called the change “an encouraging step in the right direction” but also called for an end to categorical restrictions that continue to stigmatize gay and bisexual men.



Read the statement here.



Open Letter about COVID-19 and LGBTQ+ Communities

On March 11, 2020, GLMA, the National LGBT Cancer Network and over 100 LGBTQ and ally organizations released an open letter on COVID-19 and LGBTQ+ communities. The letter outlines potential risk factors for LGBTQ people, and calls on public health officials and the media to ensure LGBTQ communities are part of the public health response and communications related to the coronavirus.



To read the letter and for resources related to COVID-19, click here.

GLMA Mourns Passing of Past President Bob Cabaj

GLMA mourns the passing of Robert Cabaj, MD, who passed away at the age of 72 on February 24. Cabaj served as GLMA President from 1994-1995. According to The Bay Area Reporter on March 2, Cabaj was known as a leader in the field of LGBTQ mental health, having co-authored and edited the gamechanging Textbook of Homosexuality and Mental Health and was instrumental in the removal of ego-dystonic homosexuality as an illness in the DSM-III-R. He was remembered fondly by his GLMA family who described him as a “pioneer,” “fierce advocate,” and “great mentor” among many attributes.



To read Robert's full obituary please click here.

US Appeals Court Ruling Threatens the ACA

On December 18, 2019, the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling invalidating the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act but asked the lower court to reevaluate whether the other numerous provisions and nondiscrimination protections of the ACA can stand in absence of the individual mandate.

To read GLMA's statement on this decision, please click here.

Victory! Third Judge Strikes Down

Denial of Care Rule

On November 19, a third federal judge ruled that the Trump Administration's discriminatory denial of care rule is invalid. The rule would encourage healthcare providers to deny healthcare to individuals based on a religious or moral objection, endangering the health and well-being of LGBTQ people, women, people living with HIV and other marginalized communities. This lawsuit was brought by Lambda Legal, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, the Center for Reproductive Rights, and the County of Santa Clara (CA) on behalf of several plaintiffs, including GLMA.

Please click here to read more about the case.



#GetCovered Today: Spread the Word about ACA Open Enrollment

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, the uninsured rate for low- and middle-income LGBTQ people has dropped by an overwhelming 35%. More LGBTQ people have health insurance than ever before - and that means access to healthcare we need, from life-saving HIV drugs to gender-affirming healthcare. Open enrollment for healthcare coverage runs from Nov 1 to Dec 15 - click here to learn more about ensuring we all #GetCovered.

Record Numbers Attend the 37th GLMA Annual Conference on LGBTQ Health

Over 600 attendees join GLMA in New Orleans, LA for the 37th GLMA Annual Conference on LGBTQ Health. This year's conference theme, LGBTQ Health Across the Lifespan, highlights the importance of understanding the ever-changing healthcare needs of LGBTQ people throughout their lives, from birth to end-of-life care.

Comments Submitted Opposing Rollback of Healthcare Rights Law

As you may know, HHS has a released new harmful proposed rule that would rollback Obama-era regulations about protections for LGBT patients in the Health Care Rights Law (Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act). For guidelines on how to submit comments as a healthcare professional/healthcare provider in opposition to the proposed rule by the Aug. 13 deadline, click here.

GLMA Joins Lawsuit Challenging HHS

Denial of Care Regulation

On May 28, 2019, GLMA became a plaintiff—alongside several LGBTQ and women’s healthcare organizations—in a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s Denial of Care regulation that invites widespread discrimination in healthcare against LGBTQ patients, people living with HIV and women. The federal lawsuit, filed jointly by Lambda Legal, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Center for Reproductive Rights, alleges the regulation, also known as the so-called “conscience rule,” violates the US Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act. To learn more about the lawsuit, click here.

GLMA Condemns Proposed Changes to Healthcare Rights Law

On 5/24/19, the Department of Health and Human Services announced a regulatory proposal that would essentially eliminate gender identity and sex stereotyping from nondiscrimination regulations adopted under the ACA. This revision falsely suggests that healthcare providers and insurers may legally discriminate against transgender people, allowing them to deny transgender people medically necessary and life-saving care. GLMA and the American Psychiatric Association organized a letter of 31 health associations supporting nondiscrimination protections for transgender and LGB patients and GLMA President Gal Mayer, MD, MS, released a statement condemning the regulatory proposal. Click here to read the full statemnet.

House Passes Equality Act in Historic Vote

On May 17, 2019, GLMA Executive Director issued a statement calling the historic passage of the Equality Act in the US House "a measure that can have lasting positive impact on the health and wellness of our communities." To see the full statement, click here.

Denial of Care Rule Threatens LGBTQ Health

On May 2, 2019, HHS released the final Denial of Care rule which encourages healthcare providers who object to healthcare services based on religious or moral grounds to discriminate against LGBTQ patients, people living with HIV, and women seeking reproductive healthcare services. GLMA President Gal Mayer called the rule “antithetical to the values we share as healthcare providers.” Click here to read the full statement.

GLMA Endorses the Prohibition of Medicaid Funding for Conversion Therapy Act

On March 28, 2019, Representative Sean Patrick Maloney introduced the Prohibition of Medicaid Funding for Conversion Therapy Act. The bill would prevent Medicaid funds from being used to pay for conversion “therapy” and crack down on misleading billing tactics, which have allowed taxpayer dollars to fund the discredited practice. GLMA was proud to join other advocacy organizations and associations, including The National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Center for Transgender Equality, and Equality California, in endorsing this bill. Click here to see the full press release from Representative Maloney's office, which includes a quote from GLMA President Gal Mayer.

AAD Releases Position Statement on SGM Health in Dermatology

On March 4, 2019, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) approved a comprehensive position statement on sexual and gender minority (SGM) health in dermatology during its Annual Meeting in Washington, DC in March. The effort, spearheaded by the AAD Expert Resource Group on LGBTQ/SGM Health, affirms the Academy's commitment to the health and well-being of sexual and gender minority individuals. GLMA was proud to have collaborated with the AAD Expert Resource Group on LGBTQ/SGM Health on activities during its Annual Meeting, including the new position statement on SGM health in dermatology. Click here to see the full statement.

GLMA Condemns Defense Department Policy on Transgender Military Service

On March 12, 2019 the Department of Defense announced a military service policy that requires transgender people to suppress their gender identity and serve in the sex they were assigned at birth in order to serve or enlist in the military. Any individual not serving in the sex assigned at birth after the policy takes effect on April 12 will be subject to discharge. The policy exempts currently enlisted transgender troops who have already transitioned or have begun to transition prior to the policy effective date. GLMA President Gal Mayer, MD, MS, issued a statement in response to this policy. Click here to read the full statement.

GLMA Endorses Equality Act

On March 13, 2019, the Equality Act was introduced to the 116th Congress for consideration. If passed, this federal bill would provide comprehensive and explicit nondiscrimination protections nationwide for the LGBTQ community, ensuring that nobody is discriminated against on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. GLMA was proud to have joined other health professional associations and organizations in endorsing this bill. GLMA President Gal Mayer, MD, MS, sent out a letter to members and supporters to share the news and share how healthcare professionals can work to ensure the Equality Act gets passed. Click here to see the full letter.

Transgender Troops Provide Testimony to Congress for the First Time

On February 27, 2019, Chair-Elect of the AMA Board of Trustees Jesse Ehrenfeld, MD, MPH, and five decorated transgender troops provided testimony to the House Armed Services Committee about why transgender troops should be allowed to openly serve. Chair-Elect Jesse Ehrenfeld provided testimony on AMA policy that states "there is no medically valid reason" to prevent transgender individuals from openly serving. GLMA was proud to introduce this policy in 2015 to the AMA House of Delegates. Click here to learn more.

GLMA Condemns Supreme Court Order on Transgender Military Ban

On January 22, the US Supreme Court issued an order lifting three of four injunctions that blocked the Trump Administration’s discriminatory policy barring transgender individuals from openly serving in the military. While the justices did not rule on the merits of the case, this order could allow the ban to go into effect while lower courts work through the legal challenges to the ban. GLMA Executive Director Hector Vargas, JD, issued the a statement in response. Click here to see the statement.

37th GLMA Annual Conference in New Orleans

The 37th GLMA Annual Conference on LGBTQ Health will take place September 11-14, 2019 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside in New Orleans, LA! The GLMA Annual Conference is premier, interdisciplinary LGBTQ health conference and the world’s largest scientific gathering devoted to LGBTQ health issues and concerns. Stay tuned over the next couple months for more updates, beginning with the Call for Abstracts sometime in February! Click here to learn more!

GLMA Disappointed with Affordable Care Act Ruling

On December 14, a federal district judge ruled that the entire Affordable Care Act was unconstitutional. The case revolved around Congress effectively eliminating the individual mandate penalty by reducing it to $0 as part of the 2017 tax cut bill. The mandate requires nearly all Americans to get health insurance or pay a penalty. The coalition, led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, argued that the change voided the mandate and therefore rendered it unconstitutional. GLMA Executive Director Hector Vargas, JD, released a statement in response, which can be read here.

AMA Affirms Medical Spectrum of Gender

During its interim meeting on November 2018, the American Medical Association adopted a GLMA-sponsored policy stating that it will “oppose efforts to deny an individual’s right to determine their stated sex marker or gender identity.” This policy passed following reports of a HHS memo that would attempt to narrowly redefine sex as an immutable condition determined at birth. GLMA also introduced and sponsored a resolution that advocated for the collection of demographic data in federal and state surveys that is inclusive of sexual and gender identity, and supported other policies supporting LGBTQ health. Click here to learn more.

38 Healthcare Organizations Oppose Reported Memo on Federal Redefinition of Sex

In response to reports of a memo obtained from HHS that seeks to narrowly redefine sex under federal law, more than 35 leading health professional associations and community health centers have signed-on to a letter strongly opposing this proposal as contrary to medical science. GLMA and the Fenway Institute, along with organizational partners, helped to organize this letter, which was sent to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, HHS Secretary Alex Azar, and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos on November 5, 2018. Click here to see the full letter.

GLMA Opposes Efforts to Eradicate Federal Recognition of Transgender Individuals

On October 21, 2018, The New York Times published an article revealing that the Trump Administration is yet again targeting transgender individuals by taking steps to erase transgender individuals from federal definitions of sex or gender. According to a memo obtained by The New York Times, the Administration is seeking to narrowly define gender as “biological, immutable condition determined by genitalia at birth,” essentially defining sex as unchangeably either male or female. GLMA President Gal Mayer, MD, MS and GLMA Executive Director Hector Vargas, JD, issued a statement in response. Click here to see the full statement.

GLMA Submits Comments in Support of Transition-Related Care for Veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs recently sought comments as to whether the VA should provide medically necessary transition-related care for transgender veterans. GLMA joined other leading health professional associations via a sign-on letter, and submitted an individual letter urging the VA to support transition-related care for veterans. NO VETERAN should be denied the care their providers recommend. Click here to learn more and to see the submitted letters!

GLMA President Speaks at Rally to Protect Transgender Healthcare

On July 17th, GLMA President Gal Mayer, MD, MS, spoke at a rally to protect transgender healthcare, which was organized by the Transgender Law Center and the National Center for Transgender Equality. The rally protested Trump Administration's plan to weaken the Healthcare Rights Law of the Affordable Care Act, which prohibits discrimination against transgender people in healthcare access and coverage. Numerous advocacy groups, including GLMA, voiced their opposition and commitment to fighting this proposed rule. Click here to see a video of GLMA President Gal Mayer's speech.

GLMA Joins Amicus Brief Urging Court to Maintain Block on Transgender Military Ban

On July 3, 2018, nine friend-of-the-court briefs were filed urging the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to uphold the lower court ruling in Karnoski v. Trump that currently block's the administration's discriminatory ban on transgender military service. Dozens of retired military officers and national security officials joined state attorney generals, medical and health professional associations and civil rights organizations in filing these briefs with the court. GLMA was proud to join the brief of leading health professional associations. Click here to see the full brief.

GLMA Opposes Proposed Title X Rule That Would Restrict Access to Abortion Services

The Trump Administration released language for a proposed rule that would prohibit healthcare providers and organizations receiving Title X family planning funding from the federal government from performing, promoting, referring for, or supporting abortion services, or from taking any actions to assist a patient in getting an abortion. In cases where a patient has already decided to have an abortion, the proposed rule allows a provider to provide a list of healthcare providers for referral but the list cannot be only of abortion providers and cannot designate who provides abortions, even if the patient has decided to terminate a pregnancy. Click here to see the statement GLMA issued in opposition.

Federal Judge Rules in Favor of Gavin Grimm in Transgender Student Bathroom Case

GLMA congratulates Gavin Grimm and the ACLU on their win in a federal district court affirming that federal sex discrimination law prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and protects students’ ability to use restrooms in public schools corresponding to gender identity. GLMA proudly joined major, leading health professional associations in amicus briefs in support of the Gavin Grimm case both at the Supreme Court Level and the lower federal courts, and will continue to support any such efforts in the future. To see the amicus brief GLMA joined and submitted to the Supreme Court, click here.

GLMA Submits Letters in Support of California SCR 110!

GLMA submitted letters to the California Senate Committee on Health, California Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary, and all California State Senators in support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 110, a resolution calling for an end to nonconsensual, medically unnecessary surgeries on children born with differences in sex development (DSD). Click here to learn more about the letter, and what you can do to support SCR 110.

GLMA Becomes Champion of All of Us

Research Program

GLMA has become a champion of the All of Us Research Program, a new undertaking of the National Institutes of Health that seeks to speed up health research breakthroughs and advance precision medicine for Americans of all backgrounds. The goal of the program is to recruit over one million study partners who will share information about their health and lifestyle over time. GLMA stands with All of Us and will work with the program to ensure the LGBTQ community is well represented within the study. Click here to learn more.



GLMA Helps Submit Comments Opposing Discriminatory HHS Regulation!

The Department of Health and Human Services proposed a new regulation that would grant healthcare providers and institutions a license to discriminate against LGBTQ patients on the basis of religious and moral objections. HHS collected public comments on the proposed rule, and GLMA helped mobilize its expert health professionals to submit comments in order to ensure LGBTQ people have access to clinically and culturally competent care. Click here to learn more about about the proposed regulation and to see the template GLMA provided to draft and submit comments to HHS!

GLMA Condemns HHS Removal of Lesbian and Bisexual Health Web Content

On March 21, 2018 Sunlight Foundation released two reports revealing how lesbian and bisexual health content has been removed from WomensHealth.gov, a website maintained by HHS's Office on Women's Health. Among content removed was a webpage dedicated to answering questions specific to sexual minority women's health and a health fact sheet which listed GLMA and NCLR where additional information is available. GLMA President Gal Mayer, MD, MS issued a statement in opposition to this erasure. Click here to read the full statement and learn how you can help!

GLMA Signs Joint Letter to HHS on Behalf of LGBTQ Patients

On February 20, 2018, GLMA joined 30+ other organizations representing providers and patients in a letter to HHS Secretary Azar expressing their collective concerns regarding the agency’s latest actions related to LGBTQ patients. The letter urged the administration to consider how these policies would adversely impact LGBTQ individuals and to develop strategies to improve the health and wellness of this population. Click here to read the full letter.

GLMA Joins Letter Speaking Out Against Gun Violence

On February 22, 2018, GLMA joined 70+ other health professional, public health, and research organizations, in a letter urging Congress to recognize gun violence as a significant threat to public health. The letter also calls for action to find "bipartisan solutions to reduce injuries and fatalities associated with firearms." Click here to read the full letter that was sent to both Senators and House Representatives.

Opposing the HHS License to Discriminate

On January 18, 2018, GLMA issued a statement opposing the HHS creation of a Division of Conscience and Religious Freedom, whose stated goal is to “protect” healthcare providers who object to performing medical procedures based on religious or moral grounds, amounting to a license to discriminate against LGBTQ patients. Click here to read the full statement and learn how you can aid GLMA's advocacy efforts!

GLMA Statement on "Transgender" Ban at CDC

On December 16, 2017 Washington Post broke a story revealing officials at the CDC were given a list of prohibited words by the current administration, including "transgender." GLMA issued a statement condemning this ban, and called on CDC Director Barbara Fitzgerald, MD, to issue a statement that emphatically supports the inclusion of transgender people in the communities that are served under the mission of the CDC. Click here to read the full statement.

It's LGBTQ Open Enrollment Week of Action!

This week, GLMA, along with other LGBTQ advocates and organizations, are working to spread the news of ACA Open Enrollment to LGBTQ people to ensure our community gets covered. To learn more about how you can help and other resources, click here.

How You Can Help GLMA Maintain Its Role in the AMA & Support LGBTQ Health!

GLMA has played a key part in influencing AMA policy to support LGBTQ health through its seat in the AMA House of Delegates. With our seat eligibility up for review, learn what you can do to help GLMA retain our seat so that we can continue our work and advance our mission of LGBTQ equality! For more information, click here.

GLMA Applauds Federal Court Ruling Reversing Transgender Military Ban

GLMA applauds federal court ruling, made on October 30th, reversing President Trump’s directive that prohibited transgender people from serving in the military and congratulates the National Center for Lesbian Rights and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders for their victory in this case. GLMA is also proud to have joined an amicus brief in support of this case, along with other leading health professional associations. Read the full brief here.

On October 26, 2017 GLMA issued a statement applauding health professional associations who have recognized the health needs and concerns of intersex individuals, and calling on all other associations to take similar steps to address the health of intersex children and adults. To read the full statement, click here.

GLMA Announces 2017-2018 Board Officers

GLMA welcomed its 2017-2018 Board Officers, including GLMA President Gal Mayer, MD, MS, during GLMA’s Annual Membership Luncheon held as part of the 35th GLMA Annual Conference on LGBT Health in Philadelphia. Click here for more information and for a full list of our newly elected board officers and their bios.

GLMA Annual Conference Program & Plenary Book is Now Available!

The program book and plenary book for the 35th GLMA Annual Conference on LGBT Health is now available! GLMA is excited to have such a broad range of diverse and interesting topics and speakers for this year's Annual Conference. For more information click here.

GLMA Condemns Reversal on Transgender Military Service



On July 26, 2017, President Trump issued a tweet announcing his intent to reverse existing policy allowing transgender individuals to serve openly. GLMA condemns this change in policy, and strongly advises the administration to review the evidence thoroughly before taking further action on this discriminatory reversal in policy. Read the full statement here.

GLMA Announces 2017 Achievement Award Recipients

GLMA is proud to announce the recipients for the 2017 GLMA LGBT Health Achievement Award, which honors exemplary individuals, organizations and publications for improving and advancing LGBT health and civil rights. For more information, and to see this year's honorees, click here.



Early Bird Registration for GLMA Annual Conference - Extended to July 31st



Due to increased interest following the release of the preliminary program for the Annual Conference, GLMA has extended lower-rate early bird registration to July 31st! For more information on how to register, please visit the conference website.



GLMA Heads to the Capitol to Oppose AHCA!

On June 22, 2017, GLMA President Jesse Joad, MD, MS, joined other health professionals in a press conference with Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and other members of Congress to oppose the House-passed AHCA and the newly-revealed Senate healthcare repeal bill. Read more here.



GLMA Praises AMA for Taking Actions to Support Transgender and LGB Health

On June 14, 2017 GLMA issued a statement applauding the AMA for adopting several policies on LGBT health during its 2017 Annual Meeting, in particular a resolution introduced by GLMA designed to ensure transgender individuals have access to basic human services. GLMA co-sponsored and support other resolutions introduced for consideration. Read the full statement here.



Pulse Shooting Day of Remembrance

GLMA renews our commitment to remembering those who were lost in the Pulse shootings by joining other LGBT, Muslim, and Latinx organizations in a national effort to commemorate that day and in the #HonorThemWithAction campaign. Click here to read more.



GLMA Denounces Executive Order, AHCA Passage

On May 4, 2017 GLMA issued a statement denouncing President Trump's Executive Order on "religious liberty" as paving "the way for a license to discriminate against LGBT people" and the US House passage of the AHCA as "undermining healthcare for millions of Americans." Read the full statement here.

Health Professional Associations Join Brief to Supreme Court in Transgender Student Case

GLMA joined 19 health professional associations in a friend-of-the-court brief to the US Supreme Court supporting the scientific consensus about the appropriate treatment for transgender people diagnosed with gender dysphoria and outlining the harms associated with denying a transgender person use of facilities, including restrooms, that correspond with the individual’s gender identity. The case involves Gavin Grimm, a male high school student who is transgender, who was prohibited from using the boys’ restroom at his school. To see a list of the organizations that joined the brief and access the brief itself, click here.

GLMA Mourns the Loss of Judy Bradford, LGBT Health Pioneer

The GLMA and broader LGBT health family lost a pioneer in LGBT health research and advocacy with the passing of Judy Bradford, PhD earlier in February. Judy's contributions to LGBT health are legion and we are especially indebted to Judy for her friendship and support of GLMA and our mission through the years. Read more about Judy and her amazing accomplishments here.



GLMA Action Alert: #PriceIsWrong for HHS

Call your Senator now! Confirmation hearings for Rep. Tom Price to serve as the next US Secretary for Health & Human Services are underway and GLMA members need to call Senators and tell them that Rep. Price should not be confirmed. Find out how you can take action here.



GLMA Statement on HHS Secretary Selection

GLMA President Jesse Joad, MD, MS, and Executive Director Hector Vargas, JD, issued a statement on November 29, 2016, saying GLMA was “deeply concerned” about the nomination of US Rep. Tom Price, a physician and Congressman from Georgia, as US Secretary of Health and Human Services. Read the statement here.



Statement on 2016 Elections

GLMA President Jesse Joad and Executive Director Hector Vargas released a statement on November 10, 2016, commenting on the results of the 2016 election. In it, the GLMA leaders said: "GLMA is committed to doing all that we can to preserve the progress we've made and continue our policy, advocacy, and education work to improve the health and well-being of LGBT people regardless of who sits in the White House." You can read the full statement here.



GLMA Adopts Resolution on Care for Children with DSD

In what is believed to be a first for a US-based health professional association, GLMA recently revised its position statement on care for children with differences of sex development (DSD) to call for delay in any medically unnecessary surgical intervention until the patient can provide consent/assent to the treatment.

NIH Designates LGBT Community a Health Disparity Population

GLMA applauds the NIH for taking the groundbreaking step of designating the LGBT community a health disparity population, as described in the NIH statement below. NIH's October 6th announcement is the latest in a series of actions by NIH over the last few years that address the health and well-being of LGBT populations. GLMA also extends its deep appreciation to the many advocates and our colleagues at NIH and HHS who have worked so hard over so many years to make this accomplishment a reality. You can read the NIH statement here.

GLMA Stands with Orlando

GLMA's Statement on the Mass Shooting in Orlando

GLMA Leads Effort in the AMA to Pass Gun Violence Policy

LGBT Organizations Issue "A Call for Unity"

Support the Local Community through WeAreOrlando

GLMA Applauds Federal Action on LGBT Health

On May 13, 2016, the Department of Health and Human Services issued final regulations establishing that Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act provides nondiscrimination protections in healthcare access and coverage for the entire LGBT community. GLMA President Jesse Joad, MD, MS, issued a statement. To read GLMA's response, click here.

Amicus Brief Filed Against Missouri Law Criminalizing HIV

GLMA joined numerous organizations in filing an amicus brief opposing Missouri’s law criminalizing HIV transmission and exposure. Learn more here.

DC Council Passes LGBT Cultural Competency Requirement

The District of Columbia is set to become the first jurisdiction in the nation to require continuing education for healthcare providers in LGBT cultural and clinical competency. Read GLMA's statement here.

Final FDA Guidance on Blood Donation Falls Short

The FDA released final guidance establishing a one-year deferral period on blood donation for men who have sex with men (MSM), including gay and bisexual men. GLMA President Jesse Joad, MD, MS, and GLMA Executive Director Hector Vargas, JD, issued a statement. To read GLMA's response, click here.

Take Action Now to Support Nondiscrimination in Healthcare

Please ACT NOW to tell HHS you support efforts to establish clear and comprehensive regulations ensuring lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people do not face discrimination in accessing healthcare and coverage.



GLMA Applauds Game-Changing HHS Policy Initiatives

GLMA applauded the Administration and the US Department of Health & Human Services for two game-changing policy initiatives calling for an end to conversion therapy for minors and requiring electronic health records systems to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Learn more here.



GLMA Applauds Proposed HHS Regulation on Transgender Discrimination

The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights issued a proposed regulation expanding on its position that discrimination based on gender identity is prohibited under the Affordable Care Act. GLMA issued a statement applauding the move.



GLMA Statement Celebrating Supreme Court Decision on Marriage

“The nature of marriage is that, through its enduring bond, two persons together can find other freedoms, such as expression, intimacy, and spirituality. This is true for all persons, whatever their sexual orientation,” wrote Justice Kennedy his majority opinion establishing the freedom to marry. Read GLMA’s Statement here.



GLMA Statement on Supreme Court Decision Upholding the ACA

The US Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision in King v. Burwell upholding the Affordable Care Act. GLMA issued a statement applauding the decision, which reads, in part: “GLMA will continue its efforts working in coalition with other LGBT organizations and through a strong partnership with the US Department of Health & Human Services to ensure the ACA addresses the healthcare needs and concerns of LGBT people and those living with HIV…” Click here to learn more.



GLMA and WPATH Support Healthcare for Transgender Inmate

GLMA and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health submitted a friend-of-the-court brief to the Ninth Circuit US Court of Appeals in support of a transgender woman who was denied gender affirmation surgery while in the California State Prison system. The brief argues that, consistent with the WPATH Standards of Care, treatment for gender dysphoria, including gender-affirming surgery, is medically necessary care and that prisons must provide medically necessary care to transgender inmates. Click here to learn more.



AMA Adopts GLMA-Led Policy on Transgender Military Service

The American Medical Association’s House of Delegates unanimously passed a GLMA-led resolution stating “there is no medically valid reason to exclude transgender individuals” from US military service. Click here to learn more.