In a time when inclusive healthcare is more important than ever, the recent federal funding cuts to Harvard’s LGBTQ+ Health Center of Excellence represent a troubling step backward. These cuts have halted several vital research initiatives, including studies on the over-the-counter use of PrEP medication, health outcomes for pregnant LGBTQ+ individuals, and mental health interventions for queer youth. Such work is not only essential for advancing medical understanding—it also plays a critical role in addressing the disparities that LGBTQ+ communities continue to face in the U.S. healthcare system.
The loss of funding threatens to widen gaps in care and delay progress on life-saving treatments and policies. LGBTQ+ individuals already experience higher rates of mental illness, discrimination in healthcare, and barriers to preventive services. Without the backing of robust, well-supported research, these challenges risk being overlooked or inadequately addressed. This moment calls for advocacy—not silence—to ensure that healthcare equity remains a national priority for everyone, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
-Iverson
Equity Over Equality: A Public Health Blog 
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