Compassionately caring for LGBT persons in your faith community

Nurses have a professional duty to provide care for all patients regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. As Christian nurses, we are called by our profession and faith to welcome and care for those who are stigmatized by others. This article defines LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender), offers reasons why LGBT persons are at risk for healthcare disparities, discusses referral of LGBT persons to healthcare resources, and states ways to be more welcoming for LGBT persons in a faith setting.