GLBT Advisory Committee

In the Spotlight...

Apply to Serve on the GLBT Advisory Committee!

The AMA GLBT Advisory Committee is soliciting nominations of qualified physicians who would be interested in serving as members of the Committee. The Committee meets at the Annual meeting in June and the Interim Meeting in November proceeding the AMA House of Delegates, and focuses on addressing issues relating to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) physicians and patients. The following positions on the Committee are open for nominations:

Two At-Large Member positions: Open to any physician member of the AMA, these positions begin in June 2012 and carry a two-year term. The deadline for applying is March 1, 2012, and interested members should return the application to Patrick O’Keefe, GLBT Advisory Committee Staff, at patrick.okeefe@ama-assn.org
Medical Student Section (MSS) Representative: Open to members of the AMA Medical Student Section, this position begins in June 2012 and carries a one-year term. The deadline for applying for this position is January 31, 2012, and interested members should visit the MSS Leadership page for the application.

IOM Report Published
The AMA is cited in the final IOM report on LGBT health, which was published on March 31, 2011. The report is based on IOM hearings that were held in February 2010. At the hearings, the AMA provided testimony on LGBT health issues, research gaps, and opportunities, which can be found here.

"Don't Ask Don't Tell Repealed"
In 2010, the American Medical Association sent letters to Congress and spoke with the Pentagon urging the repeal of the U.S. Military's policy known as "Don't Ask Don't Tell." Subsequently, a Bill was passed that repealed this controversial policy. This successful effort stemmed from the passage of new policy by the AMA-RFS Assembly and HOD in November of 2009. Also, based on this policy, the AMA called for the repeal of this policy in its testimony to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in February, 2010.

Nov. 2010 GLBT Caucus - Video Online
At the The GLBT Caucus held on Friday, November 5, 2010, keynote speaker Kate O'Hanlan, MD, gave a presentation entitled, "Origins of diversity of sexual orientation and gender identity: a review of the evidence." Watch the entire presentation.

AMA issues comments on hospital visitation proposed rule
The American Medical Association (AMA) provided comments to CMS on its proposed rule pertaining to ensuring hospital visitation rights for all patients. There have been situations when gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) partners have been kept from the bedside of their partners or from acting as legal surrogates simply because they may not fit into the traditional concept of family. The dependent children of GLBT couples may also be prevented from seeing a parent in the hospital, depending on whether a child is legally related to the hospitalized parent or the same-sex partner of the patient. The AMA supports the right of patients to choose who can be at their bedside during a sudden medical emergency or a prolonged hospital stay. The CMS Proposed Rule resulted from a memorandum signed by President Obama on April 15, 2010, that requires hospitals to allow gay and lesbian patients to have non-family visitors and to grant their partners medical power of attorney. Read the AMA comment Letter to HHS.

U.S. Dept of Labor Expands Parental Rights Under FMLA
The U.S. Department of Labor today clarified the definition of "son and daughter" under the Family and Medical Leave Act to ensure that an employee who assumes the role of caring for a child receives parental rights to family leave regardless of the legal or biological relationship. An employee who intends to share in the parenting of a child with his or her same sex partner will be able to exercise the right to FMLA leave to bond with that child. "No one who loves and nurtures a child day-in and day-out should be unable to care for that child when he or she falls ill," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. Read the press release for more information.

Meeting the Healthcare Needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Populations: An End to Invisibility
(Video) Dr. Jennifer Potter of the Harvard Medical School spoke on the subject of health care issues facing the LGBT community at the U of L Department of Medicine's Grand Rounds on April 8, 2010. Produced by the AMA and Fenway Health.

New Office of LGBT Health Created Within U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Read the letter of support from AMA Executive Vice President and CEO, Dr. Michael Maves

AMA Video Offers Best Practices when Taking a Sexual History
The AMA has recently developed a video to educate physicians on best practices when taking a sexual history. Many healthcare providers know and understand the importance of taking a proper sexual history. Often times, it is the sexual history that reveals additional important facets about the patients, such as their sexual orientation or gen der identity. The video, Patient Sexual Health History: What You Need to Know to Help, offers recommendations and considerations when treating LGBT patients. The video is available online free of charge.

Does your office have a visible nondiscrimination statement for patients?
The AMA has produced a sample nondiscrimination statement that is suitable for physicians to frame and display in their offices. This resource can be easily downloaded by clicking on the link below. The AMA is encouraging state medical societies to provide this sample statement to individual physicians to display for patient and staff awareness. This small but important step ensures a greater level of comfort for all patients entering the physician's office. Nondiscrimination Statement

Committee members
Find out who currently serves on the Advisory Committee.

AMA policy
Learn about AMA policy pertaining to GLBT physicians, medical students and patients.

News and events
Get up-to-date information on important GLBT related events and issues.