“The truth is,” said Isabela, a young transgender patient who received regular psychological therapy sessions at a Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) clinic in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, “that I left my first session crying because I had never experienced such beautiful, respectful treatment.”

“I was discriminated against emotionally and physically,” she said. “It wasn’t just the comments and insults. My psychiatrist would forget my name and my pronouns, or she would introduce the subject of religion, or she would relate my depression to who I am, saying that my mental health situation was related to wanting to be a trans woman.”

But, Isabela says, everything changed when she began therapy with MSF, where she was treated with the kindness, empathy, and respect that all our patients need. 

In many of the places where we work, LGBTQI+ people are criminalized, discriminated against by health care providers, and denied access to care. The discrimination and harassment that LGBTQI+ patients face while seeking treatment often leads to patients avoiding seeking care, leading to higher rates of treatable diseases. That’s why MSF’s commitment to comprehensive, culturally-competent care for all our patients—especially LGBTQI+ people—is so important: inclusive care saves lives. 

Please help us continue to provide care for our patients—no matter who they are or who they love. Donate today and power comprehensive care around the world >>