Zoe and special co-host Adam Kegley, Associate Director of Global Partnerships at GHLF, are joined by San Diego-based gastroenterologist Carlton Thomas, MD, to learn all about LGBTQ+ health and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Dr. Carlton shares how not enough people are talking about sexual health and IBD, how people can have more open and honest conversations with their doctors, and the challenges faced in the LGBTQ+ community when it comes to accessing health care.

Among the highlights in this episode:

01:00: Dr. Carlton shares his background as a gastroenterologist specialized in IBD and his presence on social media as a voice for queer health, highlighting his unique approach to discussing often taboo subjects

02:54: Adam Kegley, Associate Director of Global Partnerships at GHLF, and Dr. Carlton discuss the lack of conversation around sexual health and IBD in health care settings, emphasizing the importance of open communication between patients and providers, especially in the LGBTQ+ community

04:16: Adam explains the LGBTQ+ IBD Experiences Survey, a GHLF initiative to understand the specific health care experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals with IBD, aiming to improve inclusivity and access to care

If you are an LGBTQ+ person living with IBD, make your voice heard and take the survey at https://bit.ly/lgbtq-ibd 

05:38: Dr. Carlton discusses the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals with IBD, including the difficulty in discussing sexual health with health care providers, particularly in less accepting environments, and the impact of provider bias and misinformation

07:15: Adam notes the surprisingly low percentage of gastroenterologists who routinely inquire about sexual health in IBD patients

10:07: Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF, reflects on her own experience with Crohn's disease, noting the absence of discussions about sexual health with her gastroenterologist, and asks Dr. Carlton for advice on initiating these conversations

11:23: Dr. Carlton emphasizes the importance of finding knowledgeable and open health care providers, encouraging LGBTQ+ individuals with IBD to seek providers who are comfortable discussing and addressing their unique health care needs

11:58: Dr. Carlton stresses the importance of honest discussions about sexual health and the impact of IBD on one's sex life, as well as advocating for better health care for the LGBTQ+ community

15:30: What our hosts learned from this episode

You can find Dr. Carlton on Instagram and TikTok here: @doctorcarlton

Contact Our Hosts

Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: snewmark@ghlf.org

Zoe Rothblatt, Director of Community Outreach at GHLF: zrothblatt@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

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