LGBITQAC Health Care
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Progressive Health Services provides supportive, informative, culturally sensitive, health care services for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Intersex, Transgender, Questioning/gender Queer, Asexual/Abstinent and Celibate communities, referred to here, as LGBITQAC.
The word "Gay" has been used historically in a broad sense to refer to intimate love between two people of the same sex. Lesbian women, Gay men and Bisexual people started to use the abbreviation LGB in the 70s and 80's to help draw attention to the diversity of the Gay community. The abbreviation LGBT, referring to Lesbians, Gay men, Bisexuals and Transgender people, came into more common usage in the 80s and 90s to be inclusive of the transgender/transsexual community. The 21st century has ushered in an increasing awareness of sexual and reproductive health, including an awareness of health issues of intersex people, as well as those questioning their sexuality. Gender identity related issues have also come more to the fore. Thus, the letter "I" for Intersex, and "Q" for Questioning & gender Queer, have been added, resulting in LGBITQ. The letter "A" has also been added, referring to Asexual or Abstinent people, recognizing that some people have little or no interest in sex, choose to not engage in sex, or choose to not engage in certain types of sex. Thus modifying the abbreviation to LGBITQA. "A" can also refer to Allies, meaning people who are allies and supporters of the LGBITQ communities but who are not LGBITQ. Progressive Health Services has expand LGBITQA to include the letter "C" for Celibacy which is a spiritual choice of abstinence from sex. As an integrative medical facility we provide health care services which embrace the body, mind and spirit, Celibacy is a conscious choice stemming from spiritual self awareness and the quest to know one's true self as soul. |
Lesbian
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"Lesbian" refers to women who's sexual desires and affections are for other women. Some women who identify as Lesbian have had sexual experiences with men. Lesbian health care needs are overall the same as for all other women with some variations, such as the use of donor insemination, also known as artificial insemination, to become pregnant.
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Gay Men's
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"Gay" refers to men who's sexual desires and affections are for other men.
Some men who identify as Gay have had sexual experiences with women. Gay men's health care needs are overall the same as for all other men with some variations. |
Bisexual
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"Bisexual" refers to people who's sexual desires and affections can be for both women and men. The health care needs of bisexual people are overall the same as for all other people with some variations.
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Intersex
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"Intersex" refers to people born with genitals varying in shape between that of a clitoris or a penis, or with variations in the differentiation and development of their reproductive organs such as having having both ovarian and testicular tissue, or with genetic variations in sex determining genes, or with some combination of these. There are number of factors that may contribute to these variations. Intersex peoples' basic health care needs are overall the same as for all other people with certain differences based on their intersex variation.
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Transgender
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"Transgender", previously, historically, referred to as "transsexual", refers to people whose gender identity, how they perceive themselves as either female or male, does not match that of the body they were born into. Transgender peoples health care needs are overall the same as for all other people with some variations.
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Questioning
& Gender Queer Health Care |
"Questioning and gender Queer" respectively refer to people who may be questioning their sexuality, or gender identity, or both, relative to conventional societal norms. It may include people who identify as nonbinary and gender nonconforming, as well as people who do not have a gender identity. Questioning and Gender Queer people have overall the same health care needs as all other people with some variations.
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Asexual/
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"Asexual" refers to people who have little or no interest in sex. "Abstinent" refers to people who either do not engage sex, do not engage in sex with others, or do not engage in certain types of sex. "Allies" refers to people who are allies and supporters of the LGBTIQ communities but who do not identify as LGBTIQ. Some asexual and abstinent people have had sexual experiences with other people. Asexual and abstinent peoples' health care needs are overall the same as for other people with some variations.
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Celibacy
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"Celibacy" is the spiritual choice to not engage in sexual activity. It is not self willed or forced in anyway. Rather, celibacy is a natural transition away from, sex, sexuality, and gender as one progresses on their spiritual path in search of knowing one's true self as soul, identifying as soul, and uniting with the unconditional love of the infinite. Celibate peoples' health care needs are overall the same as for all other people, although there can be some variation in health related lifestyle practices, and in health care choices.
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