A: When your doctor knows about your sexual orientation and gender identity he or she can give you even better health care. However, it is understandable that you may be afraid to come out to your doctor, especially if you've had bad experiences coming out as gay and/or trans to other folks in the past. If you can muster the courage to come out to your doctor, you will have the chance to get better health care because you will be able to have a more open conversation about your behavior and your health risks.

If you are sure that your doctor would not react well, then take the time to research gay-friendly or trans-friendly doctors in your area. You can get help from the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association Web site.

Why would you get better care? Because your doctor can then ask you more specific questions about your sexual practices and know what kinds of tests he or she should run. In other words, if a woman is regularly having lesbian sex, then the doctor can talk to her about safer sex methods between women. If a guy is regularly having anal sex with men, then the doctor will be more likely to give him an anal pap smear for STDs. If you are trans, then your doctor can understand why you may be taking hormones and be sure to not prescribe something that will react badly with testosterone or estrogen.

The factors a good doctor will keep in mind are: what language to use with you (like partner instead of husband or your preferred gender pronouns), STDs, hormone levels, counseling, cancer risk, screening, parenting, depression, alcohol use, smoking and violence. The bottom line is that the more your doctor knows about you, the better health care they can give you!

As with any doctor, if you think you aren't getting optimal health care, then switch providers. This is always your right as a patient.

It is also important for medical providers to have information about who YOU want involved in your health care. You can tell a doctor that you have a "family of choice" or a "preferred" emergency contact for them to call in case of an emergency. If you aren't specific they may call your blood relatives, or not allow your partner to visit you in the hospital.

Also, be sure to ask what papers you need to sign to make this a legal request.