Healthcare support and advocacy for LGBTQ Iowans
Members of the LGBTQ community often encounter discrimination when seeking healthcare from providers who are not trained to care for their specific needs. One Iowa provides these resources to empower LGBTQ members to access empathetic healthcare.
One Iowa proudly provides a list of resources for LGBTQ Iowans and allies. Inclusion on our website does not warrant or imply any endorsement, recommendation, or outcome. You must fully vet each resource.
Iowa Department of Public Health
Care For Yourself Program
One Iowa partners with the Iowa Department of Public Health to connect eligible LGBTQ Iowans, particularly older queer women and transgender individuals, to their Care For Yourself cancer screening program.
The Care for Yourself program services are part of a national program that helps reduce risks from breast, cervical, and cardiovascular health issues through inclusive screenings and tests. The Care for Yourself program has local staff that can help you schedule: clinical breast exams, mammograms, pelvic exams, Pap tests, and tests to check your risk for heart disease. Through the program, eligible LGBTQ Iowans can qualify for free or low-cost healthcare services.
Knowing your health risks and what you can do to take care of yourself is the first step. Finding an inclusive healthcare provider is the next step. One Iowa can help patients connect to LGBTQ inclusive providers throughout the state to improve access to quality healthcare.
Questions about the program can be directed to One Iowa’s Program Director, Max Mowitz.
LGBTQ Healthcare Providers
If you are seeking an LGBTQ-inclusive healthcare provider or mental health counselor, please contact One Iowa Program Coordinator Max Mowitz at [email protected] or 515-288-4019 x7.
Iowa Resources
UnityPoint Clinic LGBTQ – Methodist Plaza – Des Moines
UnityPoint Health desires to meet the specific health care needs of the LGBTQ community in Central Iowa by providing a safe and affirming environment and overcome the stigma and discrimination that persons in the LGBTQ community often face.
UnityPoint Clinic LGBTQ – Prairie Parkway – Cedar Falls
The staff at UnityPoint Clinic – LGBTQ – Prarie Parkway has undergone training through the Safe Zone Project to ensure you receive your care in a welcoming environment with a team who strives to deliver quality affirming care with dignity and sensitivity to all our patients.
University of Iowa LGBTQ Clinic – Iowa City
The University of Iowa LGBTQ clinic offers dedicated health services in a comfortable, caring environment to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, gender non-conforming, genderqueer, gender fluid, and anyone who identifies as part of the LGBTQ communities.
Central Iowa VA
Offering medical care, mental health services, and support for LGBTQ veterans, including PreP, hormone replacement therapy, speech therapy, wigs, padded bras, gaffs, binders, packers, STP devices, and more.
LGBTQ Veteran Care Coordinator
Drew O’Leary BSN, RN
Pronouns: he/him/his
515-418-2440, call or text.
3600 30th St, Des Moines, IA 50310
COVID Recovery Iowa
The State of Iowa has received federal funding from FEMA to offer free virtual counseling and assistance to those affected, in any way, by COVID-19. Iowa Department of Human Services has contracted with several providers throughout the state. These trained professionals are providing counseling, virtual activities, referrals and help finding resources to any Iowan seeking assistance or a listening ear.
Iowans of all ages may join groups online to find support and learn creative strategies for coping with the effects of the pandemic. COVID Recovery Iowa will announce additional programs in the coming weeks to help Iowans build coping skills and resilience. For more information, check out their website: https://covidrecoveryiowa.org/
If you have additional questions contact:
Michelle Hatch DeMarie–Specialty Coordinator
(515) 290-0772
National Resources
Human Rights Campaign – LGBTQ Patient Resources
Human Rights Campaign (HRC) provides resources for LGBTQ patients to help navigate topics such as the affordable care act, healthcare discrimination, and guidance for trans patients.
