title: A descriptive study of the experiences of lesbian, gay and transgender parents accessing health services for their children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the experiences of lesbian, gay and transgender families accessing health care for their children.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Although lesbian, gay and transgender families are becoming more common, little is known about their health-seeking experiences. These families may be fearful about disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity to health professionals. As a result, lesbian, gay and transgender parents may not be receiving optimal care for their children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive qualitative study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 11 lesbian, gay and transgender parents in Australia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three themes were generated from the data: 'managing health care experiences', 'attitudes' and 'transforming bureaucracies'. Negative experiences included encountering homophobia or transphobia and being required to educate health professionals. Positive experiences occurred when both parents were acknowledged as having an equal say in their child's health care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many health professionals lack the skill or knowledge to meet the needs of lesbian, gay and transgender families. Health services are required to ensure that all policies and procedures are inclusive of all family constellations and that staff receive relevant and up-to-date sensitivity training and create an environment that is respectful of all family groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adopting a philosophy of family centred care can enable health providers and health professionals to provide lesbian, gay and transgender families with inclusive non-discriminatory care.
authors.affiliation: Australian Catholic University and Southern Health Victoria, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Melbourne, Australia. r.chapman@curtin.edu.au
authors.forename: Rose
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wardrop
authors.forename: Phoenix
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: Tess
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zappia
authors.forename: Rochelle
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Watkins
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shields
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D022143:Family Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D014189:Transsexualism / Q000523:psychology