Massage Therapy Journal Summer 2025

60 • Massage Therapy Journal

AMTA Continuing Education

Transgender is also used to signify a range of identities, including but not limited to, non binary and gender-fluid. • Trans female/woman . A person who is male at birth but identifies and lives as female. This can also include the terms MtF / M2F (male to female), AMAB (assigned male at birth), or trans feminine. • Trans male/man . A person who is female at birth but identifies and lives as male. This can also include the terms FtM / F2M (female to male), AFAB (assigned female at birth), or trans masculine. • Transitioning . A series of processes that some transgender people undergo to live more fully as the gender they identify as or the gender they express. This typically includes social transition, such as changing names and pronouns; medical transition, which may include hormone therapy or gender affirming surgeries; and legal transition, which may include changing legal name and sex on government identity documents. Transgender people may choose to undergo some, all or none of these processes. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community may use terms such as fag, dyke, butch, femme, gay, homo or queer when describing their sexual

orientation or their partners. While clients and co-workers may use these terms, they are most often considered derogatory when used by others. Listen to the LGBTQIA+ individual and follow their lead. When in doubt, ask the individual how they or their partner should be described. LGBTQIA+ terminology will also be different in different cultures. If you are serving people from other cultures, become familiar with those terms and their appropriate use. Health disparities are differences in the health burden faced by different groups of people. LGBTQIA+ people experience a number of health disparities. They’re at higher risk of certain conditions, have less access to health care and have worse health outcomes. These disparities are seen in the areas of behavioral health, physical health and access to care. 25 In terms of behavioral health, LGBTQIA+ people are at greater risk of suicide and suicidal thoughts, mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, eating disorders, alcohol and substance use, and tobacco use. 26,27 The 988 Lifeline provides free and confidential 24/7 support for anyone in distress. To access specific support for LGBTQIA+ people, call 988 and then press 3. To text, send the word PRIDE to 988. In terms of physical health, LGBTQIA+ people are at greater risk of viral infections such as HIV and HPV, are more likely to be obese and have breast cancer, and are less likely to have a regular health care provider. 28,29,30 In terms of access to care, LGBTQIA+ people are less likely to have health insurance, more likely to delay getting care, more likely to report lack of cultural competence by health care providers, and more likely to report poor quality of care and unfair treatment by health care providers. 31,32 There are many causes for the health disparities faced by LGBTQIA+ people. These include a lack of specific education and training Brief Discussion About Health Disparities in the LGBTQIA+ Community

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