Let’s face it, if you don’t have your health, all the self-help and success secrets in the world will feel hollow and empty. While no one has a magic wand to make you immune to any possible illness, disease, or injury, one of the most important pieces of the pie when it comes to success and living a full life is health and well being. That encompasses everything from your emotional and spiritual practices to the practical steps of heading to a doctor or alternative care practitioner regularly for routine care of your physical well being. You take your car for regular maintenance, it is the LEAST you can do for yourself. For busy, successful, and overachieving women, this step often gets overlooked until something is wrong and we breakdown or burnout. As lesbians, we have another excuse for avoiding it because of the fear associated with coming out to your health care provider.

A recent post by Denise on Blogher about GLBT Health reminded me of just how lucky I have been in my own healthcare dealings. I have been out to all my physicians for years and in many cases, my partner and I use the same doctors, chiropractors, dentists, etc. I have never encountered any negative reactions or limitations of service because of who I am. When I read articles about women being denied tests, experiencing harrassment at hospitals, or getting nothing but grief and bigoted reactions in an emergency situation I am always appalled. That’s why it is always a good thing to have some resources in your back pocket to not only feel more confident in your dealings with your healthcare provider but also to have some support if you encounter homophobia or discrimination.

A few months ago I received a set of resources and tools in my inbox from the HRC which helps you through coming out to your healthcare provider. The press release and links to those resources can be found on their website here.

Through Denise’s article I was introduced to the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association which I hadn’t really known about. If you’re looking for a “family” friendly physician they have a referral database.

The bottom line is that it is your right to have equal and open access to your healthcare providers. They can only serve you well to the extent that you are totally honest with them. That means coming out is imperative. While it may be scary, the truth is that if you have a provider who isn’t comfortable with that news, he or she is not the right professional for you. Go shopping around for one that is because you must be your #1 advocate when it comes to your health and well-being.

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