| GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality | |
| Abbreviation: | GLMA |
| Formation: | 1981 |
| Type: | national organization |
GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality (GLMA) is an association of LGBTQ+ and allied health professionals in the United States. Its members include interdisciplinary health professionals, such as physicians, nurses, physician associates, behavioral health specialists, researchers and academics, and their supporters.
GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality is the oldest and largest membership association of LGBTQ+ and allied health professionals in the world.
GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality is the oldest and largest membership association of LGBTQ+ and allied health professionals in the world. Founded in 1981, GLMA addresses misconceptions surrounding LGBTQ+ health issues, which encompass a broad range of topics including HIV, breast and cervical cancer, hepatitis, mental health, substance abuse, tobacco use, depression, and access to affirming care for transgender and non-binary individuals.
Initially focused on HIV and supporting physicians coming out at work, GLMA has evolved to become a leader in public policy advocacy for LGBTQ+ health equity. Originally open exclusively to physicians, residents, and medical students, GLMA expanded its mission to include LGBTQ+ and allied health professionals across various disciplines, including nurses, physician assistants, researchers, academics, and behavioral health specialists.[1]
In the summer of 2006, GLMA undertook a project to investigate the causes and extent of methamphetamine use among gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM), options for treating methamphetamine dependence, and how best to get methamphetamine-dependent gay men into appropriate treatment, as well as to explore other issues and controversies associated with these issues.[2]The Lesbian Health Fund (LHF), a GLMA program, is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ women and girls by funding robust scientific research. Since its establishment in 1992, LHF has supported 134 research projects, distributing over $1.2 million in grants.[2]