The Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Expression (SOGIE) Safer Places Toolkit is an introductory and practical tool for all healthcare teams including all employees and physicians, volunteers and contracted service providers.

Research demonstrates that people who identify as a sexual or gender minority have many unmet health needs and have a reduced likelihood of accessing routine, emergency and preventive healthcare services. This happens when people feel afraid to come to healthcare because of discrimination (real or perceived).

They may have had a bad experience at their last visit or even an appointment years ago and this can all add up to feelings of shame. Many people have not told their healthcare provider about their sexual orientation and gender identity. This means that they may not be getting the care they need.

The goal of the toolkit is to increase awareness, encourage self-reflection and build skills to create more welcoming and safer care for LGBTQ2S+ people and their families.