News release from the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association

For Immediate Release

AMA President Makes Historic First Appearance at GLMA Conference

Edward Hill, MD, President of the American Medical Association, "hits a home run" in speech before LGBT health professionals group

(Montreal QC, Canada Sept. 23, 2005) -- The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association welcomed American Medical Association President Edward Hill, MD to address delegates at its Annual Conference yesterday morning. The speech marks the first time that a President of the AMA has addressed a GLMA meeting. Speaking before approximately 300 GLMA delegates, Dr. Hill began his address, entitled "Understanding, Advocacy, Leadership: The AMA Perspective on LGBT Health," by stating "I know that GLMA members and LGBT physicians have been treated unfairly by the AMA in the past. There is simply no excuse for discriminatory actions or exclusions based on sexual orientation or gender identity -- none." He continued, "First, GLMA has opened [the AMA's] eyes to the diverse needs of LGBT patients, and second -- and just as important -- GLMA has told patients that they have the right to expect a health care system filled with openness, fairness and equality."

GLMA Executive Director Joel Ginsberg stated, "These statements were historic. As the preeminent voice of organized medicine in the United States, the AMA's position on LGBT health will carry a lot of weight with federal, state and local policymakers, as well as with health insurers, health care providers, and others engaged in the effort to eliminate health disparities for not just LGBT persons, but also for racial and ethnic minorities and others who experience increased disease burden because of who they are." Ginsberg continued, "In his speech, Dr. Hill frankly traced the sometime troubled history of the AMA with regard to LGBT health, but his presence at the GLMA Conference demonstrated that the AMA is committed to working closely with GLMA to address the unique health concerns of LGBT persons. He really hit a home run as far as our members and the LGBT community are concerned."

After leaving the Conference, Dr. Hill wrote in the AMA e-Voice, a weekly e-newsletter that goes out to all AMA members, "I was proud to be the first AMA president to speak at the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) this morning. . . We've got our work cut out for us. . . Our patients have a right to expect a health care system filled with openness, fairness and equality. Together, we can fulfill that promise."

Ginsberg remarked, "We encourage all GLMA members to contact Dr. Hill to let him know how much they appreciate his presence at our Conference and the AMA's work to eliminate health disparities. And we encourage all physicians who are not members of the AMA and who care about LGBT health to join the AMA."

For more information:
Joel Ginsberg
Executive Director, GLMA
(415) 255-4547
(415) 613-5635