Born This Way: Integrating LGBTQIA plus Identities as Pharmacy Practitioners

Progression through the profession of pharmacy is filled with many milestones that can contribute to feelings of stress, rejection, and isolation. For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual+(LGBTQIA+) students and practitioners, these feelings can be compounded by similar issues experienced by their sexual orientation or gender identity. Historically, LGBTQIA+ students, new practitioners, and seasoned professionals alike have lacked visible role models for how to intersect personal and professional identity in the pharmacy profession. In this paper, the authors describe experiences of intersecting personal queer identities with professional pharmacy identities; exploring barriers to integration and developing solutions to overcome these barriers. The authors also share how the formation of a collective of LGBTQIA+ practitioners and educators has led to a unified voice to advocate for the advancement of LGBTQIA+ healthcare in pharmacy education and practice. This manuscript will provide readers with a guide to navigate and address issues with the integration of personal and professional identity to lead to practice that validates personal identity as important, valuable, and affirmed.