Designation recognizes sites that provide affirming, inclusive care to LGBTQ community

PROVIDENCE, RI – Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) has certified three Providence healthcare providers as BCBSRI LGBTQ Safe Zones. This certification identifies medical practices that provide safe, affirming and inclusive care to the LGBTQ community.

“Continuing to grow and foster BCBSRI’s LGBTQ Safe Zone Program is critical to ensuring availability of care for the LGBTQ community, which sadly continues to be a very underserved population with many unmet healthcare needs," said Guillaume Bagal, diversity and inclusion lead at BCBSRI. “It’s critical to our mission at Blue Cross of facilitating access to affordable, high-quality healthcare that we ensure there are safe, inclusive places for all to receive care."

The newly designated BCBSRI LGBTQ Safe Zones include:

• East Coast Mental Wellness, Providence – A mental health agency created with a single mission in mind of providing welcoming and accepting services to members of the LGBTQ community. East Coast Mental Wellness provides a variety of services for the LGBTQ community, including groups, workshops and educational trainings. Clients can choose what therapist they’d like to see or can be assisted in identifying a therapist to match availability and needs.
• Providence Community Health Centers, Randall Square Health Center and Chafee Health Center locations – A non-profit healthcare organization providing quality primary healthcare services that are affordable, comprehensive and culturally sensitive to more than 50,000 residents of Providence and its surrounding areas. Providence Community Health Centers are committed to diversity and inclusion in creating a respectful, secure and trusting environment for LGBTQ patients. Services include family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, behavioral health, optometry, dental care and urgent care alongside selected specialty services.

Certification requirements for BCBSRI LGBTQ Safe Zones include staff training specific to the care of LGBTQ patients, protection for patients and staff from discrimination based on gender identity or expression, gender neutral bathrooms, inclusive forms and procedures, and a public commitment to connecting with and serving the LGBTQ community. Since 2016, BCBSRI has certified more than 20 LGBTQ Safe Zones in Rhode Island to help ensure the LGBTQ community can find the care they need. View the full list of providers at bcbsri.com/safezones.

“Seeing the Safe Zone logo when you enter a healthcare practice provides a visual reminder to patients that these are inclusive and affirming environments where all are welcome," said Bagal. “It is our hope that the LGBTQ Safe Zone program will inspire other providers to get involved and raise awareness to encourage and offer a safe place for those who may not have otherwise sought treatment." 

To learn more about BCBSRI’s LGBTQ Safe Zone program or if you are a provider or practice looking to become certified as a BCBSRI LGBTQ Safe Zone, visit bcbsri.com/safezones.