Abstract
This work analyses experiences of LGBTQ+ people accessing healthcare in Portugal. A total of 32 semi-structured interviews were conducted with queer adults (18–59 years old). The thematic analysis and thematic networks brought to light how structural cis-heteronorms are compliant with the maintenance of invisibility regarding sexual and gender diversity. As a consequence, experiences of direct and indirect discrimination show us how crucial it is to have well prepared healthcare providers, capable of embracing diversity and creating safe spaces that allow us to shorten the path between Portugal’s progressive legal frame and the people lived experiences.
Highlights
The results discussed demonstrate a general adherence to the literature discussed in showing that LGBTQ+ people encounter several obstacles in their access to healthcare
The examples show a great variety of factors at play in the interplay between LGBTQ+
With some of the interviewees, the reluctance to recur to check-ups and exams is justified by the suffering of previous experiences of discrimination; in other cases, it is triggered by a preventive concern, or even as avoidance of social exposure
Summary
Citation: Pieri, M.; Brilhante, J. “TheLight at the End of the Tunnel”: Experiences of LGBTQ+ Adults in Portuguese Healthcare. Healthcare2022, 10, 146. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10010146Academic Editor: Walter R. SchummReceived: 29 November 2021Accepted: 2 January 2022Published: 13 January 2022Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Attribution (CC BY) license (https://
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