LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory

What the LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory is

The LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory is a free, searchable database of healthcare providers knowledgeable and sensitive to the unique health needs of LGBTQ+ people in the USA and Canada. The directory includes doctors, medical professionals, therapists, social workers, dentists, physical therapists, massage therapists, and other wellness professionals. The site was created jointly by the Tegan and Sara Foundation and GLMA (Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality), which was described as the world's largest association of LGBTQ+ healthcare professionals. The directory launched in summer 2022 and has grown through voluntary provider sign-ups. The site was designed in 2022 with input from LGBTQ+ health experts and community leaders.

How searching and provider selection work

To search, clients enter their ZIP or postal code to find providers near them. They can search by specialty or medical issue to refine results and can search location and specialty simultaneously. When results appear, users can use a refine search tab to sort further by gender, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, language, approach, patient focus, accepted payment, and distance. Clicking on a provider profile reveals details about their practice and contact information. The site notes that new providers register every day and encourages users to check back if results are sparse in their area.

Provider categories include OB-GYN, HIV Prevention and Care, Primary Care, Substance Use and Recovery, Therapist, and Trans and Nonbinary Health. Within each category, clients can search by approach, which the site defines in five ways: Trauma Informed Care, Sex Positive, Racial Equity, Informed Consent, and Weight Inclusive, plus Harm Reduction. The site explains that a healthcare provider is an individual health professional licensed to provide healthcare diagnosis and treatment services which may include medication, surgery, and medical devices. The term is used broadly to include any medical or wellness professional.

Providers create their own profiles voluntarily and can enter detailed information including accreditations, memberships, approaches, and depth of experience with specific communities. The site encourages people seeking care to review this information and choose with discernment. However, the site explicitly states that profiles are not individually screened or verified at sign-up and that the directory cannot guarantee a positive experience or outcome. During sign-up, healthcare providers are asked to affirm their commitment to equality for LGBTQ+ patients. These affirmations are based upon best practices in LGBTQ+ culturally competent care for as many members of the community as possible.

What the site describes and publishes

The directory includes example profiles: Carl Streed, MD, FACP, MPH in Boston, MA with specialties in Primary Care and Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy; Regine Henderson, a Mental Health Doula in Virtual Care serving Georgia, USA; and Olivia Van Gerwen, MD in Infectious Disease offering Virtual Care. The site acknowledges that LGBTQ+ patients struggle to find healthcare providers with whom they can be open and honest free from fear of stigma or bias. It frames access to affirming care as both a practical solution and an equality issue.

The directory emphasizes that everyone deserves a healthcare provider who understands LGBTQ+ health needs without judgment. It provides health resources including "Top 10 Things Transgender People Should Discuss with their Healthcare Provider," "Top 10 Things Bisexual People Should Discuss with their Healthcare Provider," "Top 10 Things Lesbian Women Should Discuss with their Healthcare Provider," and "Top 10 Things Gay Men Should Discuss with their Healthcare Provider." These resource guides address the unique clinical and personal considerations for different communities within LGBTQ+.

The site lists creation history and context: the very first directory was built years ago by GLMA through their membership and grew to become the most respected in the United States. Through collaboration with LGBTQ+ health experts and community leaders, it was updated in 2022 with innovative search functionality, the highest standards of accessibility, and a new set of affirmations. The site states its goal is building the largest database of LGBTQ+-friendly healthcare providers in the United States and Canada.

What the site does not specify

Pricing is not mentioned, as the directory is a free resource; however, the site does not state provider pricing or payment terms. The site does not disclose how many providers are registered or provide geographic distribution data showing whether all states or provinces have equal coverage. Wait times for appointments are not mentioned. The site does not detail whether providers are employees of health systems or independent practitioners. It does not state how often provider information is updated or how outdated profiles are handled. Geographic coverage is stated as USA and Canada, but no regional breakdown is provided. The directory does not explain its verification process beyond noting that profiles are not individually screened at sign-up. Whether any providers are specialists versus generalists is not detailed. The search functionality is described in general terms but specific technical limitations are not stated.

Who it fits and who it doesn't

The LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory serves any LGBTQ+ person seeking healthcare, primary care, therapy, trans health services, HIV care, or any other specialties, from a provider who understands their identity and health needs without bias. It is particularly valuable for transgender and non-binary people seeking gender-affirming care, people seeking HIV prevention or treatment, and those from communities of color or with specific language needs. The free platform removes financial barriers to finding a provider. Those in rural areas with few local options can filter by virtual care providers. People seeking providers with specific approaches, such as trauma-informed, weight-inclusive, or sex-positive care, can filter accordingly.

The site is not a provider itself; it is a directory connecting clients with existing providers. It does not offer direct healthcare, therapy, or crisis support. Since profiles are not verified at sign-up, users must review provider credentials themselves and contact providers to confirm they are accepting clients and meet their needs. Those seeking immediate mental health crisis support, therapy scheduling, or emergency services should not rely on the directory alone. The site is browsable but requires internet access and comfort with online searching. Those seeking in-person-only providers or care in less populated regions may find limited results. Providers are responsible for updating their own information, so outdated or inactive profiles may appear in searches.