Label
Affirmative and Inclusive LGBTQ+ Healthcare
Council Member Komives
Title
Authorizing the appropriation and expenditure of $50,000 from the General Fund for the Affirmative and Inclusive LGBTQ+ Health Care; authorizing the Mayor to enter into a grant agreement with Solace Health and Social Outreach; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
Ordinance 3-23 was passed unanimously on February 8, 2023 for the same appropriation and expenditure amount from the General Fund for affirmative and inclusive LGBTQ+ Health Care, authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Solace Health and Social Outreach for these services. Because an agreement was not finalized and the appropriation from Ord. 3-23 was not expended in fiscal year 2023, pursuant to Charter of the City of Toledo, Section 47, any unexpended balance of appropriations shall revert to the respective funds from which the same were appropriated, and shall be subject to future appropriation. As a result, this appropriation ordinance is necessary to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Solace Health and Social Outreach for the reasons originally provided in Ord. 3-23 and restated herein.
Whereas, Solace Health and Social Outreach is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to eliminating the barriers LGBTQ Toledoans face.
Whereas, there are an estimated 1.4 million adults who identify as transgender living in the United States, roughly 0.6% of the population. Despite an increase in the number of people who identify as transgender and non-binary, a 2018 Human Rights Campaign Foundation study found that 1 in 4 transgender people report having avoided medical care in the past year out of fear of being disrespected or mistreated (HRC). Furthermore, a 2015 national study found that 33% of transgender survey respondents who saw a health care provider in the last year reported one or more negative experiences related to being transgender, including being refused treatment, being harassed or assaulted, or receiving incompetent care.
Although few studies have been published on the quality of care provided for trans and non-binary persons, the studies that do exist agree that national barriers to care include few accessible providers who are trained in gender-affirming health care as well as inconsistent use of chosen name and pronouns. Conclusions from these studies suggest that training individual providers and their office staff to provide culturally competent care can help to decrease barriers and increase care. Dr. Ding and others write, “These efforts are vital, as they ensure the availability of a limited number of providers who are well prepared to treat trans and gender non-conforming (TGNC) patients in a culturally competent, affirming matter”.
No studies or community needs assessment have been performed locally in the Toledo area with respect to the LGBTQ+ population and their health disparities, and there are no programs in place to train and incentive health care providers to perform gender affirming care. Some individual providers promote their practice as LGBTQ+ affirming, yet trans and non-binary residents of Toledo are left wondering if they truly are affirming for the entire community or if they only cater to gay and lesbian patients. In addition, any provider is currently able to promote their practice as LGBTQ+ affirming, but they are not required to ensure staff are appropriately trained and that their paperwork is inclusive for all gender identities.
A 2019 study in Canada demonstrated that trans youth and gender diverse children report an improvement in their wellbeing since switching providers to a trained specialty clinic that focuses on gender-affirming care (The experiences of). LGBTQ+ residents of greater Toledo deserve a clear roadmap for their health care needs, navigating them to trusted and trained providers who are willing to learn and practice inclusive, affirming care.
Summary
NOW, THEREFORE, Be it ordained by the Council for the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. The appropriation of $50,000 is authorized from the unappropriated balance of the General Fund to Account Code 1001-10100-11120001STDSTD and further authorizing the expenditure of same for a grant to Solace Health and Social Outreach for affirmative and inclusive LGBTQ+ healthcare.
SECTION 2. That the Mayor is authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Solace Health and Social Wellness, upon terms and conditions acceptable to the Director of Law and the Clerk of Council.
SECTION 3. That the Director of Finance is authorized to draw warrant or warrants against the Account Code 1001-10100-11120001STDSTD in an amount not to exceed $50,000 in payment of the above authorized obligations upon presentation of the proper voucher or vouchers.
SECTION 4. That this Ordinance, being an emergency measure, shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that the Ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety and property and for the further reason that this Ordinance must be immediately effective in order to provide affirmative and inclusive LGBTQ+ healthcare.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas 12, nays 0.
Passed: May 22, 2024, as an emergency measure: yeas 12, nays 0.
Attest:
Julie A. Gibbons Carrie Hartman
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: May 22, 2024
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Mayor