Why we must make a stronger commitment to lesbian family health
“Equitable treatment” recommended by ACOG does not eliminate health-care disparities between families headed by heterosexual parents and those headed by same-sex parents
IN THIS ARTICLE
The APA in 2004 endorsed civil marriage.31 For its part, the AMA has taken historic social and political stands endorsing nondiscrimination in school education programs for youth, in youth scouting organizations, in medical education, and in insurance coverage. The AMA also issued support of legislation to allow adoption by same-sex partners and co-parents. The AMA seeks to reduce the health disparities suffered because of unequal treatment of minor children and same-sex parents by supporting equality in laws affecting the health care of members of same-sex partner households and their dependent children.32 The AMA also issued a nondiscrimination clause that states:
- The AMA reaffirms its longstanding policy that there is no basis for the denial to any human being of equal rights, privileges, and responsibilities commensurate with his or her individual capabilities and ethical character because of an individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or transgender status, race, religion, disability, ethnic origin, national origin, or age [emphasis mine].32
Just as ACOG expects to be consulted for testimony in any legislation or court proceeding about gynecologic and obstetric issues, the expertise of the APA and AAP in the areas of child and family mental health are indisputable.
The AMA Principles of Medical Ethics stipulate that “a physician shall recognize a responsibility to participate in activities contributing to the improvement of the community and the betterment of public health.” Our scientific ACOG community possesses access to knowledge that the lay community does not have. We have a responsibility to reflect the evidence in our ACOG policies and share the information in our communities for the health and well-being of our patients.
When society is broadly misinformed about issues related to homosexuality and frequently votes in ways that harm lesbians and their families, ACOG—whose mission is “advancing women’s health”—should take an unequivocally principled stand, as the AAP and the APA have already done.
The endorsement of civil marriage per se and inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in the nondiscrimination clause in no way oppose any of ACOG’s values but, rather, reflect and support ACOG’s mission for America’s women.
In the past, ACOG did not at first endorse “equitable treatment” for women who had unintended pregnancy. ACOG took the highly controversial but principled stand of endorsing women’s self-determination or “choice” to continue or abort an early gestation. ACOG endorsed what scientific evidence had proved to be healthiest for the woman and her family, and should do so now again.
ACOG could accomplish its mission for women’s health more fully if it would reconvene the Committees on Ethics and on Underserved Women and ask the committees to unambiguously prohibit all discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and endorse equal access to civil marriage across the country for the health of lesbian couples and parents. ACOG also should revise the Code of Professional Ethics to include sexual orientation and gender identity in the nondiscrimination clause.
