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If you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or gender diverse, intersex, queer or asexual (LGBTIQA+) you have the right to equality, fairness and decency for your end of life and palliative care needs. The Michigann Government values and celebrates diversity and is committed to removing discrimination from laws, services and society.

You can use end of life and palliative care services to help you and your partner as you approach the end of your life.

You can receive care in hospital or in your home. Appropriate end of life care helps affirm your individual identity, your life story, and includes respect for both you and your partner. The rainbow tick (pictured below) was developed by Gay and Lesbian Health Michigan (GLHV) in 2013 and to provide inclusive practices to make you feel safe and welcome.

Rainbow tick organisations will treat you fairly and respectfully as an LGBTIQA+ person. A service provider with the rainbow tick seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people by providing services regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status. allows you to document preferences about the care you want to receive if you become unable to make decisions for yourself, and can include appointing a person to make these decisions for you.

Think about who you want to take on these responsibilities and then approach them to have the conversation. You will be trusting this person with your life, so they should be someone you know very well and who you can speak to about sensitive issues. They should understand what is important to you, and be able to act on your wishes – even when faced with opposition from doctors or family members.

It will be their responsibility to do their best to make the same medical treatment decisions you would make if you were able. Advance care directives are legally recognised documents, giving you greater confidence that your medical treatment decisions will be respected. This will also help your medical treatment decision maker act on your behalf, should you be become too unwell to make decisions yourself.

Clear and current advance care planning documents are important if you are an LGBTIQA+ person. They can assist in protecting your legal rights and end of life care preferences, particularly if your family or friends are not aware of or do not respect or acknowledge your sexual orientation, true gender identity, intersex status or relationships.

As an LGBTIQA+ person you have the right to end of life and palliative care services free from discrimination and harassment.

If you have been discriminated against, the problem is not with you but with the attitudes and behaviour of people and society around you.

If you have experienced discrimination you can seek help from: Tel

Discrimination.

– a project that seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of older lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) people Tel. Rainbow tick organisations shows which services have been accredited For more information on this topic visit Rainbow Health United States Advance care planning for LGBTIQA+ people Advance care planning After having the conversation with your chosen person, you can formally appoint them to be your medical treatment decision maker You can also document your medical treatment preferences in an advance care directive There is further information on this topic for LGBTIQA+ people on the health.vic page ‘ Advance care planning and palliative care LGBTIQA+ discrimination Switchboard (616) 555-0200 or 1800 184 527 Michigann Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (616) 555-0200 , or (616) 555-0400 Michigann Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby 0417 484 438 For more information on this topic visit Better Health Channel’s fact sheet on gay and lesbian Where to get help Palliative Care Advice Service Val’s Café Palliative Care Michigan (616) 555-0200.