Accessing critical care: LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week

March 18-22 is LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week and here’s what local organizations are doing in Indianapolis. For those who identify as LGBTQ+, finding a primary care doctor or access to mental health counseling is often difficult, if not impossible. “Discrimination in health care is real for LGBTQ folks. We’ve seen this recently with Senate Bill 480 going into effect which denies LGBTQ minors gender affirming health care in Indiana,” Chris Paulsen, CEO of Indiana Youth Group, said. “Not only does it deny them care, it limits their doctor’s ability to be able to refer them out for care.”  Founded in 1987, Indiana Youth Group is a drop-in center for LGBTQ+ youth and their straight ally friends ages 12-24, Paulsen said. Once a month, IYG offers HIV/STI testing and partners with different local health care providers who bring mobile clinics with doctors onsite to offer physicals and vaccinations and write prescriptions for PrEP.  IYG also offers education services to help teens and young adults get back to school or apply for colleges, as well as onsite laundry services, cleaning and hygiene products, clothing and showers, rapid rehousing, and transportation assistance. Indiana Youth Group is a drop-in center and safe place for...