Understanding the attitude and perception of medical students toward LGBTQIA+ community

In India, various minority groups still face centuries-old practices of inequality. One such community that lacks social acceptance in society is the LGBTQIA+ community. The objective of our study was to assess the perceptions and attitudes of medical students toward the LGBTQIA+ community.

The study was conducted among undergraduate students of a medical college in western Maharashtra. Data were collected using the Genderism and Transphobia Scale (GTS), a 32-question survey on Transphobia, Genderism, and Gender Bashing developed by Hill & Willoughby (2005). Participants completed the questionnaire via Google Forms. The collected data were recorded in a computerized spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel) and analyzed using SPSS software version 26.0.

The study involved 470 undergraduate participants, consisting of 367 males and 103 females. Of these participants, 68.94% were aged between 19 and 21 years, 89.36% were Hindu by religion, and 71.91% were from urban areas. The mean score for transphobia and genderism was 115.58 $\pm$ 28.85 (min 25 and max 175) and the median score was 116, while the mean score for gender bashing was 40.79 ± 8.52 (min 7 and max 49), and the median score was 44. The study found that males were more inclined towards gender bashing. Males and students from rural backgrounds exhibited higher levels of transphobia and genderism. Students who spent more time on social media, while those with friends or relatives from the LGBTQIA+ community and those who have attended any lecture/seen a documentary related to the LGBTQIA+ community were more tolerant toward the LGBTQIA+ community and less likely to engage in gender bashing.

Among all the professions, doctors must be gender-neutral to treat all patients equally and without bias. The study results indicate that medical students have a bias toward the LGBTQIA+ community, highlighting the need for information, education, and communication (IEC) campaigns to increase social acceptance and sensitivity toward the needs of the community.