Abstract
Background. It is well known that equality and equity have asignificant meaning inhealthcare. InLatvia,
there are no human rights for LGBT families. This case report looks at theproblem through theframe ofone
LGBT person’s experience and a lack of support and knowledge, resulting in domestic abuse and neglect
of children.
Objectives. Toevaluate theshortcomings inLatvian legislation through one LGBT patient’s experience and
perception of life inLatvia asanLGBT family member.
Case report. The 44-year-old female patient has lived in Latvia since birth. At the doctor’s office, she
presented with adisease history of abroken leg at3points of tibiae – thepatient had refused toundergo
anoperation due to developed stigma towards medical care, feeling of exclusion; she presented with undiagnosed bronchial asthma, smoking, depression, low self-esteem, frequent suicidal thoughts, 5attempts
ofsuicide, insomnia. Thepatient isapolice officer and social worker. Intheanamnesis she has had 3relationships with women and recognises herself as a lesbian. The patient faced discrimination at her workplace
– was afraid to talk about her sexuality, had been humiliated by her colleagues at police station. All her
relationships with women were highly toxic, asall partners abused her physically and emotionally; they also
neglected and physically abused 5children, raised bythepatient for 15years. Thepatient was forced toend all
relationships, and had no rights toraise kids even though they had parent–children bonding – they got into
thefoster home, while having anon-biological LGBT family parent. Being discriminated against asanLGBT
person, and with post-traumatic stress disorder, prevented thepatient, and her children, from seeking and
receiving support, even while being apolice officer.
Conclusions. Microaggressions towards theLGBT population, discrimination and inequality inLatvia lead
toelevated morbidity and higher risk ofsuicide attempts; new legislation isneeded toprotect children’s and
their non-biological parents’ needs and health.
there are no human rights for LGBT families. This case report looks at theproblem through theframe ofone
LGBT person’s experience and a lack of support and knowledge, resulting in domestic abuse and neglect
of children.
Objectives. Toevaluate theshortcomings inLatvian legislation through one LGBT patient’s experience and
perception of life inLatvia asanLGBT family member.
Case report. The 44-year-old female patient has lived in Latvia since birth. At the doctor’s office, she
presented with adisease history of abroken leg at3points of tibiae – thepatient had refused toundergo
anoperation due to developed stigma towards medical care, feeling of exclusion; she presented with undiagnosed bronchial asthma, smoking, depression, low self-esteem, frequent suicidal thoughts, 5attempts
ofsuicide, insomnia. Thepatient isapolice officer and social worker. Intheanamnesis she has had 3relationships with women and recognises herself as a lesbian. The patient faced discrimination at her workplace
– was afraid to talk about her sexuality, had been humiliated by her colleagues at police station. All her
relationships with women were highly toxic, asall partners abused her physically and emotionally; they also
neglected and physically abused 5children, raised bythepatient for 15years. Thepatient was forced toend all
relationships, and had no rights toraise kids even though they had parent–children bonding – they got into
thefoster home, while having anon-biological LGBT family parent. Being discriminated against asanLGBT
person, and with post-traumatic stress disorder, prevented thepatient, and her children, from seeking and
receiving support, even while being apolice officer.
Conclusions. Microaggressions towards theLGBT population, discrimination and inequality inLatvia lead
toelevated morbidity and higher risk ofsuicide attempts; new legislation isneeded toprotect children’s and
their non-biological parents’ needs and health.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 41 |
| Journal | Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue number | Special Issue 2 |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 2023 |
| Event | 12th The European Rural and Isolated Practitioners Association Rural Health Forum - Călimănești-Căciulata, Romania Duration: 19 Oct 2023 → 21 Oct 2023 Conference number: 12 https://ruralpact.rural-vision.europa.eu/events/empowering-rural-medicines-future-join-12th-euripa-rural-health-forum_en |
Keywords*
- Microaggressions
- Human rights
- Equity
- Equality
Field of Science*
- 3.2 Clinical medicine
- 3.3 Health sciences
Publication Type*
- 3.4. Other publications in conference proceedings (including local)
