People who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or gender queer/questioning are part of the LGBTQ+ community.

One study estimates there are about 78,000 people who identify as LGBTQ+ in San Antonio.

LGBTQ+ Health Care

People who are LGBTQ+ have the same health needs as straight or cisgender people but tend to be at higher risk for poor health outcomes. People who identify as LGBTQ+ may struggle to access health care because of stigma and discrimination. Cisgender people identify with the sex they were assigned at birth.

According to a 2020 report, 46% of LGBTQ+-identifying people in San Antonio avoided seeing a health care professional in the past year. About 30% of respondents said they were refused care because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Social Inequities

People who identify as LGBTQ+ are at a higher risk for substance use disorder, mental illness and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They are twice as likely as heterosexual people to be unemployed and are at higher risk for experiencing homelessness.

Mental Health

LGBTQ+ adults and youths are more likely to struggle with mental illness and make suicide attempts. Call or text the national suicide helpline at 9-8-8 if you or someone you know may be thinking about attempting suicide or harming themselves or others.

According to one study, 69% of LGBTQ+ youth reported feeling “persistently sad and hopeless” compared to 35% of heterosexual youth. But according to The Trevor Project, LGBTQ+ youth who have a supportive adult in their lives are 40% less likely to make a suicide attempt than those who don’t.

Transgender Health Care & Gender Affirmation

Some people who are transgender have special health care needs as they are transitioning.

Gender-affirming care refers to hormone treatments, speech therapy or surgeries to physically change your body and/or voice to reflect the gender with which you identify. Gender-affirming care may be recommended if you experience gender dysphoria, which describes distress felt from not physically matching your gender identity. A medical provider can diagnose gender dysphoria.

Not all health insurances cover gender-affirming care.

Intimate Partner Violence

People who identify as LGBTQ+ are more likely to experience domestic abuse and intimate partner violence than people who are cisgender or heterosexual.

Sexual Health

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) disproportionately affects gay and bisexual men. When left untreated, HIV can progress to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). There is no cure for HIV, but it can be managed.

A medication called PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) can help prevent HIV in people who are at risk.

HIV rates have been trending downward in recent years.

University Health Resources

Primary Care

University Health primary care providers welcome all patients and strives to provide the highest-level care to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Our providers can help with preventive care, health screenings, specialist referrals and more.

Operation BRAVE (Bexar County Response and Victory to Ending the Epidemic)

Operation BRAVE (Bexar County Response and Victory to Ending the Epidemic) aims to improve access to HIV treatment in Bexar County.

FFACTS Clinic

The Family-Focused AIDS Clinical Treatment Services (FFACTS) Clinic at University Health provides medical, emotional and financial support to those with HIV or AIDS.

Positive Links for Youth and Emerging Adults (PL4Y)

PL4Y promotes HIV education among people ages 18-29. PL4Y aims to adapt an existing mobile health program to the specific needs of youth and emerging adults with HIV in South Texas.

Ryan White Part A, Part B and Part D/Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS programs provide care for people living in the San Antonio area with HIV/AIDS. These programs are for people who are low-income, uninsured and underserved. Learn more at fam210.com.

Substance Misuse Awareness & Sexual Health (SMASH)

SMASH aims to prevent and reduce substance misuse and the transmission of HIV and hepatitis in Bexar County men aged 18 and older. SMASH provides:

• Free condoms
• HIV and hepatitis testing
• PrEP

Texas Wears Condoms

Texas Wears Condoms provides free condoms and free at-home HIV test kits to eligible Texas residents. 

Community Resources

Alamo Area Resource Center – LGBTQ Primary Care

The Alamo Area Resource Center provides health care services for LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV. Their services include primary care, sexually transmitted infections (STI) testing, behavioral health and more.

Pride Center San Antonio

The Pride Center San Antonio offers peer support, free STI testing, youth summer camps and more for LGBTQ+ people in San Antonio.

The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project provides education about LGBTQ+ relationships, mental health, suicide awareness and gender identity. TrevorSpace is a moderated online chat space for LGBTQ+ people between 13-24 years old.

San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce

The San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce empowers LGBTQ+-owned businesses in the city. Find businesses to support and events to attend on their website.

Thrive Youth Center

Thrive Youth Center helps LGBTQ+ youth experiencing housing insecurity. It also provides counseling, career guidance, legal support, mental health services and more.

PFLAG San Antonio

PFLAG San Antonio provides peer support meetings and an online library of resources.

Out Care

Out Care helps people in the LGBTQ+ community find affirming health care providers near them.

Domestic Violence Resources

The City of San Antonio provides resources to people who are in abusive relationships or want to get out of one.

24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline

The Network/La Red’s 24-hour hotline supports LGBTQ+ people who have been abused by their partners.

Free HIV Home Testing Kits

Anyone aged 17 years and older in the U.S. can order up to two free HIV home test kits every three months through TakeMeHome.

National HIV Services Locator

This online tool helps users find HIV testing clinics, order HIV test kits and condoms, find housing assistance and more.