Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health
President Barack Obama proclaimed June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. He asked "the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists."
In his LGBT Pride Month proclamation, President Obama also called on Americans to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.
HIV continues to take it toll on gay and bisexual men of all races and ethnicities. The impact is most severe among young black gay and bisexual men and white gay and bisexual men in their 30s and 40s. Sexually transmitted diseases, hepatitis, substance abuse, and depression are among the health concerns that affect gay and bisexual men.
Lesbian and bisexual women's health concerns are varied. Some evidence suggests lesbians have higher rates of smoking, overweight, alcohol abuse, and stress than heterosexual women. Lesbian and bisexual women are at risk for cancers, including breast and gynecologic cancers.
What Can You Do?
Wherever you work, or whatever you do, you can join CDC and its partners in commemorating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride month.
Individuals can:
- Learn more about LGBT health service organizations.
- Stand up against stigma and other forms of discrimination.
- Get tested for HIV. To find a testing site center near you, visit hivtest.org
or, on your cell phone, text your zip code to Know IT (566948). 
Get a Pap test regularly to screen for cervical cancer.- Get the HPV vaccine, if you are 11–26 years old, to help prevent cervical cancer.
- Get a mammogram regularly to detect breast cancer, if you are age 40 years or older.
- Become aware of screening, testing, and treatments for prostate cancer.
- Get screened for colorectal cancer, if you are 50 orolder.
Organizations are encouraged to:
- Develop policies to address LGBT discrimination in the workplace
- Educate staff about LGBT-related issues
- Promote HIV/AIDS testing
- Encourage cancer screening
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