PRIDE in Healthcare

To show our support for PRIDE, we wanted to share how Foundation Physiotherapy & Wellness ensures that the LGBTQ+ community feel safe, valued, equal and empowered to reach their full rehab potential. Current research has shown that significant barriers exist for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) identified persons in the healthcare system. Due to homophobia, heterosexism and various social determinants of health, the LGBTQ+ community often feel reluctant to seek out healthcare when needed, or even disclose one’s identity to healthcare professionals. Nobody should experience discrimination or harassment when comes one’s health!

The very foundation of our clinic has always been to create an inclusive and safe environment for persons of all genders. In line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which recognizes the right to sexuality, which includes the right to be free from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, therefore, from the moment you contact our clinic, to attending your appointment, we strive to provide a space where you feel heard, understood, accepted and respected.
Here are some things you can expect to see at our clinics:

1. Our forms, signage and questionnaires have been developed to be inclusive of persons of all genders.
2. We are constantly educating ourselves on sexual health and sexual diversity to ensure that we are providing you optimal care. 
3. Out treatment approach comes from a space of non-judgement and compassion. We respect your sexual rights and sexual health, and you deserve to feel empowered along your healthcare journey.
4. We understand that terms are constantly changing, therefore, we strive to be respectful and use terms/pronouns that people prefer. 
5. We have developed opportunities for you to provide us feedback, as well as we continue to encourage everyone to write reviews so that we continuously strengthen our treatment approach
6. For individuals who may experience painful intercourse or with sex, our Pelvic Health Physiotherapists are educated in the factors that may be contributing to your symptoms – nobody should suffer in silence. Sex and our sexuality are more than just penetration. Sexuality is the sensual aspect of who we are as human beings. Therefore, if you are interested in learning more about how Pelvic Health Physiotherapists develop a holistic individualized approach just for you, please reach out to us!

We want to hear from you and learn on how we can further support the LGBTQ+ community.

We want to celebrate the beauty of who you are!

Neville, Stephen. (2006). Perceptions of lesbian, gay and bisexual people of primary healthcare services. Journal of advanced nursing. 55. 407-15. 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2006.03944.x.M

United Nations Human Rights. International Human Rights Law and Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity (2017) Retrieved from:https://www.unfe.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/International-Human-Rights-Law.pdf