It takes a lot of courage to “come out” whether it is with your friends, family or others. Even though you are young, it is important to talk with your primary care provider (PCP). You should also ask your PCP what the office policy is on keeping conversations confidential, what will be in your medical record, and if your parents can read them on a patient portal. Of course, a PCP would need to break confidentiality if a patient is at risk of harming themselves or others. Try to figure out how to tell your parent(s) or guardian. Many teens are surprised how supportive they can be.
It is in your best interest to be honest with your doctor. If you are worried that he or she will judge you or be insensitive to your needs, you should tell your parent(s), guardian, or other trusted adult such as an aunt, teacher, coach, etc. Ask for help to find a new health care provider- someone who takes care of LGBT youth.
The decision to come out to your doctor (when and how) should be yours. However, it will probably be a lot less awkward for you if you make an appointment to talk with your doctor rather than try to squeeze in a conversation in while you’re in the middle of your sports physical.
You deserve the best medical care possible and you should be treated with respect and kindness whether you are straight or gay.
Our health guides are developed through a systematic, rigorous process to ensure accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness. Written and reviewed by experienced healthcare clinicians from Boston Children's Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital and consistently ranked as a top hospital by Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report, these guides combine clinical expertise, specialized knowledge, and evidence-based medicine. We also incorporate research and best practices from authoritative sources such as the CDC, NIH, PubMed, top medical journals, and UpToDate.com. Clinical specialists and subject matter experts review and edit each guide, reinforcing our commitment to high-quality, factual, scientifically accurate health information for young people.