October is
LGBT History Month
Richard Wandel. 1971, Rally crowd #1, Image ID: 1606014, NY Public Library
October has been proclaimed LGBT History Month to coincide with National Coming Out Day, on October 11 th . The LGBT community has a long history to be commemorated, embraced, and remembered. Many feel the modern day LGBTQI movement started at Stonewall in 1969, a gay establishment in New York City that was raided by police leading to days of protest and clashes. The rest, as they say, is history!
 
Over the years, the civil rights of the LGBTQI community has changed as well as the terminology. Some days it can be hard to be politically correct and to remember all the names in the acronym. You do not have to be socially correct all the time, effort is what matters. Just remember the old tune sung by the late Aretha Franklin, R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
 
L esbian .......... G ay .......... B isexual .......... T ransgender .......... Q uestioning .......... I ntersex
When considering how to approach the subject of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) in patient care or elsewhere, the rules are pretty simple. 
  • It is OK to ask questions as long as this is done with respect. 
  • When asking, do so in private. Do not “out someone” even accidentally. Do not ask in the lobby or in front of friends or family unless you are told it is alright to do so. 
  • If you fumble, apologize. 
We should ask questions more frequently, especially in Pediatrics.
 Examples of good questions/comments:
- What are your preferred pronouns?
- What name do you prefer to go by?
- Do you have relations with men, women, or both?
- When appropriate, after a good relationship is established with your transgender patients, ask about an organ inventory.
- Ask who of their friends and family are aware of this sensitive information.
- If you have a rainbow pin or something similar, wear it to show you care.
Some statements or acts
you may want to avoid:
- Don’t make assumptions based on how someone is dressed or how they act.
- Do not call someone “Ma’am” or “Sir” - this assumes a gender.
- Be respectful. It’s best to build a relationship before asking some of these questions.
- Do not use the term “homosexual”, it is offensive to many. Do use the terms “gay” or “lesbian”.
- The word “queer” may or may not have negative connotations for the individual - Ask.
- Do not say “transgendered.”
LGBTQI History Timeline
(Very Abbreviated - Adapted from GLSEN.org )
BCE 2450 - Depictions of Gay relationships
BCE 630 - Greek Lesbian Poet Sappho
AD 1347 - One of the earliest accounts of a Transwoman
AD 1868 - One of the earliest accounts of intersex identity
AD 1924 - First gay activist group, short lived, in the United States
AD 1931 - One of the first gender affirming surgeries
AD 1955 - First lesbian rights organization
AD 1961 - Illinois becomes the first state to decriminalize same sex relations
AD 1973 - “Homosexuality” is removed as a psychiatric illness
AD 1982 - Gay related immunodeficiency disorder (AIDS)
AD 1989 - Denmark recognizes same sex marriages
AD 1994 - LGBTQ History Month founded
AD 1996 - First Queer Straight Alliance, in a high school
AD 1997 - Ellen DeGeneres comes out on TV
AD 2000 - Vermont legalizes same sex civil unions
AD 2003 - US Supreme Court overturns sodomy laws
AD 2004 - Massachusetts is the first state to recognize same sex marriages
AD 2011 - LGB can serve openly in the military
AD 2015 - Marriage equality mandated by the Supreme Court in all 50 states for same sex couples
AD 2016 - Transgender individuals can enlist and serve openly in the military
AD 2017 - Trump Administration repeals above, transgender individuals cannot serve in the military
......................Stuart H. Gold, MD
......................Professor Pediatrics of Pediatrics
National Disability Employment
Awareness Month
In October we recognize the contributions of workers with disabilities. This observance was launched in 1945 when Congress declared the first week in October as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1998, this week of recognition was extended to a month and renamed. The annual event draws attention to employment barriers that still need to be addressed.

We show inclusion and respect by considering Etiquette Guidelines when interacting with people with disabilities.

Diversity & Inclusion - Part of Recruitment

A new departmental policy requires a member from the Pediatrics Diversity & Inclusion Committee to serve on each search committee for new faculty recruitment. Details have been communicated to Division Administrators and implementation has begun. 
Patient/Family Policy on Non-Discrimination
Against Providers and Staff

UNC Medical Center expects its patients to respect our providers and staff without regard to an individual's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, or veteran status.

A staff member or learner who observes or is the subject of patient/family members comments or requests in violation of this policy should report the behavior to the attending physician or a member of nursing leadership (i.e. Supervisor, Charge Nurse, Nurse Manager, or House Supervisor). The attending physician or member of nursing leadership is responsible for discussing the issue with the patient. In the clinic setting, a clinic may consider dismissing a patient who refuses to comply with this policy. (Contact Risk Management for assistance and guidance for dismissing a patient.) In the inpatient setting, the attending physician or member of nursing leadership may contact Patient Relations or Risk Management for further assistance regarding patients who continue to violate this policy.
Safe Zone Training

The Department of Pediatrics is hosting a Safe Zone Training
February 20, 1:00-5:00pm.
 
The Standard Safe Zone is a 4-hour training is designed to introduce concepts, terminology and resources related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
 
Safe Zone trainees develop:
  • A deeper awareness of personal ideas, stereotypes, and assumptions related to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA) individuals
  • An increased comfort level in addressing concepts and language regarding LGBTIQA communities with the university community and with individuals
  • An increased awareness of services on campus that support LGBTIQA and allied individuals
  • A network of community and campus staff, faculty, and students to support people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions on campus.

October Dates to Note
October 8-9th : Yom Kippur
The days following the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah , are known as the “Ten Days of Repentance.” 
On the tenth day, the holiest of Jewish holidays, Yom Kippur , is observed as a day of atonement through fasting and spending time in synagogue. 
October 11th: National Coming Out Day

“Coming out – whether it is as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or allied – STILL MATTERS. When people know someone who is LGBTQ, they are far more likely to support equality under the law. Beyond that, our stories can be powerful to each other.”
October 13th: First Day of Sukkot
The first day of Sukkot takes place on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Tishrei. Sukkot is a seven-day period for reminiscence on the Israelites 40 year period of wandering in the desert following the exodus from Egypt. It is one of three festivals mandated by the Torah to include a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, a practice that stopped after the destruction of the temple. It begins the period of the Feast of Tabernacles.
October 27th: Diwali or Deepavali
Diwali or Deepavali is the Hindu festival of lights celebrated every year in autumn in the northern hemisphere (spring in southern hemisphere). It is an official holiday in Fiji, Guyana, India, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and recently Sindh Province in Pakistan. One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, it spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. Its celebration includes missions of lights shining on housetops, outside doors and windows, around temples and other buildings in the communities and countries where it is observed.
Stuart Gold, Committee Chair
Christian Lawrence
Robin Howard
Jennifer McElroy
Nina Jain
Jessie Feudale
Hadley Kifner
Ian Buchanan
Kenya McNeal-Trice
Benny Joyner
Jennifer Gutierrez-Wu
Zachary Pettigrew