The National Institutes of Health defines sexual and gender minority (SGM) as an umbrella term for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) populations and persons whose sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or reproductive development vary from societal, cultural, or physiological norms. The SGM designation applies to individuals with differences of sex development, also known as intersex conditions.1 Overall, awareness and acceptance of SGM people has grown dramatically in the United States (U.S.) in recent decades. This awareness and acceptance have led to a greater interest in their health and willingness on the part of medical educators, researchers, accrediting organizations, and others to acknowledge and address the specific healthcare needs of SGM people. Yet, health professionals, including those in the field of primary care, often struggle with shifting their clinical policies and practices to ensure equitable services for SGM patients. This toolkit aims to assist primary care clinics in adopting, implementing, and ultimately sustaining new policies and practices for fostering relationships with and engaging SGM patients in vital prevention, assessment, and treatment services.
