✅ Reviewed for accuracy and relevance by Deanna Cooper Gillingham, RN, CCM, FCM on July 22, 2025.
Gender identity refers to a person’s perception of being a particular gender, which may or may not correspond with their birth sex or gender expression.
Gender expression refers to how a person expresses their gender identity, typically through appearance, dress, and behavior.
Sexual orientation refers to a person’s sexual identity concerning the gender to which they are attracted, the fact of being heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual. An individual’s sexual orientation is independent of their gender identity.
Research shows that LGBTQ+ individuals often experience a great deal of misunderstanding, rejection, and discrimination, which can lead to poor health outcomes. Barriers to healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals include:
- Name on insurance card and medical records do not match identified name
- Denial of routine preventive care for body parts not consistent with gender on record
- Denial of medically necessary treatment if the sex on file with insurance does not match anatomy
- Lack of healthcare providers trained in transgender medical and behavioral healthcare
- Fear of or actual discrimination or humiliation
- Lack of health insurance
This article shares a portion of the information covered on this topic in CCM Certification Made Easy, 4th Edition by Deanna Cooper Gillingham, RN, CCM, FCM (2025). For more details on this topic and related concepts, purchase your copy at CCMCertificationMadeEasy.com
