Protecting Medical Research, Healthcare Access and Health Equity for LGBTQIA+ Communities

WHEREAS, public investment in medical and scientific research through agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has been responsible for many of the nation’s most significant advances in disease prevention, treatment, mental healthcare, HIV care, cancer research, vaccine development, and chronic disease management—improving and extending millions of lives; and

WHEREAS, proposed and enacted federal budget reductions, grant cancellations, restrictions on research priorities, workforce reductions, and political interference in public health and scientific institutions threaten the nation’s ability to conduct lifesaving research, recruit and retain scientific talent, and deliver evidence-based healthcare to patients and communities; and

WHEREAS, LGBTQIA+ people experience significant health disparities, including elevated rates of depression, anxiety, suicide attempts, HIV infection, substance use disorders, barriers to preventive care and discrimination in healthcare settings, according to research from the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the UCLA Williams Institute; and

WHEREAS, federal funding has played a critical role in advancing research related to LGBTQIA+ health, including HIV prevention and treatment, mental health outcomes, cancer disparities, aging and long-term care, gender-affirming care, youth well-being, health equity and culturally competent healthcare delivery, producing evidence that improves health outcomes for LGBTQIA+ people and strengthens public health for all communities; and

WHEREAS, vital public health data had been deleted from federal health websites as part of the administration’s attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion and LGTBQIA+ health, and were restored only when a broad group of advocates sued the Department of Health and Human Services; and

WHEREAS, recent efforts to eliminate, restrict or defund research involving sexual orientation, gender identity, health equity and minority health populations have resulted in delayed studies, canceled grants, interrupted clinical programs, diminished data collection, and reduced opportunities for researchers seeking to address long-standing healthcare disparities affecting LGBTQIA+ communities; and

WHEREAS, reductions in Medicaid funding, public health infrastructure, community health programs, HIV prevention initiatives, behavioral health services, and healthcare workforce investments disproportionately impact LGBTQIA+ people, who are more likely to rely on public healthcare programs, experience barriers to affordable care, and face discrimination in accessing medically necessary services; and

WHEREAS, attacks on evidence-based healthcare and scientific inquiry undermine the ability of healthcare professionals, educators, researchers and public institutions to provide accurate information, high-quality care, and effective interventions that improve quality of life and reduce preventable illness and death:

RESOLVED, that the AFT will advocate for robust federal and state investment in biomedical research, public health infrastructure, healthcare workforce development, and evidence-based healthcare programs that improve health outcomes and quality of life for all people, including LGBTQIA+ communities; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will oppose efforts to censor, restrict, politicize, or eliminate scientific and medical research related to sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV prevention and treatment, mental health, health disparities and other areas essential to understanding and addressing the healthcare needs of LGBTQIA+ people; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will support policies that protect and expand access to affordable, evidence-based healthcare, including preventive services, behavioral health care, HIV services, gender-affirming care, and culturally competent healthcare for LGBTQIA+ patients across all stages of life; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will partner with healthcare unions, patient advocacy organizations, public health institutions, research centers, and civil rights organizations to educate members and the public about the consequences of healthcare and research funding cuts and to advance policies that promote health equity and scientific integrity; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will advocate for the collection, preservation, and public reporting of data related to sexual orientation and gender identity in health research and public health surveillance in order to identify disparities, inform evidence-based policymaking and improve healthcare outcomes; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will support and, where appropriate, participate in litigation, amicus briefs, administrative challenges and other legal advocacy efforts to defend access to evidence-based healthcare, protect the integrity and independence of scientific research, challenge unlawful discrimination in healthcare programs and services, and oppose actions that unlawfully restrict medically necessary care or undermine the health and well-being of LGBTQIA+ communities. 

Adopted July 19, 2026