The Mautner Project, the National Lesbian Health Organization has launched its first Be Proud to Talk to Your Doctor initiative to celebrate lesbian health and wellbeing. The goal of this annual campaign is to encourage lesbians to focus on personal health in ways that could add years to their life. Be Proud to Talk to Your Doctor will coincide with Gay Pride celebrations in communities across the country. During their Be Proud to Talk to Your Doctor initiative, the Mautner Project will encourage lesbians to talk honestly and openly with their health care professionals about their sexual behavior and identity. The campaign will also encourage lesbians to identify their partner or other family member who should be included in discussions of treatment and who is authorized to make medical decisions for them in case of emergency.

"When a health provider is aware of a lesbian's sexual identity, it eliminates her anxiety about hiding her sexual orientation, and allows the provider to offer a more precise diagnosis and relay accurate medical information," said Kathleen DeBold, executive director of the Mautner Project. According to a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive in conjunction with the Mautner Project, not all lesbians are in a position to 'come out' to their doctors. Sixteen percent of lesbians delay obtaining health care out of concern they would be discriminated against. It may also be unsafe for some lesbians to reveal their sexual orientation if they are restricted from self-selecting or switching health providers if they experience discrimination based on their sexual orientation.

"We encourage lesbians to develop a plan for coming out to their health care provider. That plan should include what they would do if the information is received well and what to do if the information is not received well. Know what recourse you have if you are not satisfied with your provider's response, says DeBold." The Mautner Project understands that not all lesbians can exercise the freedom to disclose their sexual orientation, but we encourage those lesbians that can come out to health providers to do so. Many times the fears associated with coming out are not justified and the benefits to coming out can be great.

Be Proud to Talk to Your Doctor is a national effort developed by The Mautner Project to raise awareness about suitable steps lesbians can take to improve their overall relationship with their doctors and other health providers. When considering whether or not to 'come out' lesbians should be well informed about medical records confidentiality laws and should have a thorough understanding of their insurance coverage policies.

"Along with discussing sexual orientation, we are urging lesbians to get preventive health screenings," said DeBold. "In addition, they should discuss with their health care provider which screening tests are right for them, when they should have them, and how often. Women are good at taking care of friends and family, but often overlook themselves." The Mautner Project has fact sheets on coming out to health providers, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), durable power of attorney for health care, lesbians as an underserved community, barriers to women's health care, and many other topics. To obtain this information, or learn more about the Mautner Project, call 202-332-5536 or visit www.mautnerproject.org.