The Association of Clinical Research Professionals

Honoring Pride Month

ACRP honors Pride Month to recognize the achievements and contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community in clinical research.

Thank you for all you do to promote excellence in clinical research.

“If you’re putting out a rainbow for pride to say that you’re LBGTQ+ welcoming but you’re not collecting our data, you’re part of the problem; you’re part of the perpetuation of our health disparities. It can’t stop with the rainbow. It has to actually address the disparities we experience, which means inclusion in clinical trials and elsewhere.”

Scout, MBA, PhD (He/Him)
Executive Director, National LBGT Cancer Network

CURATED RESOURCES

ACRP has curated recent research findings and perspectives on the importance of representation of the LGBTQIA+ community in a variety of clinical settings. Please share this information with your peers in the clinical research community to increase awareness and understanding.

“LGBTQ+ people are at higher risk of certain conditions, have less access to healthcare, and worse outcomes.”

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National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®)

“What is sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data and why is it important?”

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National Comprehensive Cancer Newtwork® (NCCN®)

“One of the greatest threats to the health of [LGBTQ] Americans is the lack of scientific information about their health.””

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Human Right Campaign Foundation

“Read recommendations for adopting practices for collecting data on sex, gender, and sexual orientation—including collecting gender data by default, and not conflating gender with sex as a biological variable.”

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National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

“Including questions… on surveys and forms helps make sure that the experiences and needs of LGBTQI people are studied, considered, and responded to with good policy and meaningful funding.”

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National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

“Efforts must be made to understand LGBTQIA+ health practices and improve access to quality healthcare for the entire LGBTQIA+ community. Additionally, it is vital to develop clinical trials and therapies within a diverse patient population.”

Read More >

Science 37

Photograph of Liam Paschall

“I’m a transgender man and I can tell you there’s a huge lack of trust not only in the medical profession, but clinical trials and the pharma industry. So how can clinical research be more inclusive? There’s a lot you can do even before the clinical trial starts to be more inclusive of the LGBTQ+ population. It starts with representing LGBTQ+ people in your marketing materials. Sites need to have people that look like us. We need to see that. Ask what our pronouns are and share yours. It’s a matter of respect and showing you are trying to be inclusive.”

Liam Paschall (He/Him)
Senior Consultant, Learning & Development, Parexel
Safe Zone LGBTQ+ Inclusion and Understanding Facilitator
Transgender Patient Advocacy Group Member
2022 LinkedIn Top 10 LGBTQIA+ Voices

Photograph of Paul Shay

“The biggest opportunity is that we don’t know what we don’t know. At most points in the healthcare system we do not routinely collect sexual orientation gender identity data. We’re missing the ability to characterize the health disparity challenges for the SGD [sexual and gender diverse] population in the way that we can today for things like race, sex at birth, care setting, and other dimensions. The impact is we don’t know the full extent of the opportunities and challenges for this population, so it’s hard to even conceive of solutions to address them.”

Paul Shay (He/Him)
Lead: People and Business Resource Group (PBRG) PRIDE Alliance, Bristol-Myers Squib

Photograph of Jamie Langley

“We can all recognize and agree that the FDA in particular has said this is what we must do when it comes to promoting clinical trial diversity in race and ethnicity. But what about everyone else? What about all the other marginalized communities and underserved populations and meeting their needs when it comes to clinical trials? And it is not just LGBTQ+ but starting here is critical because there are a lot of unknowns.”

Jamie Langley (She/Her)
Global Head, Parexel Academy

Photograph of Rosamund Round

“There are a growing number of people who identify as LGBTQIA+, meaning the clinical trial industry needs to evolve by acknowledging and being more inclusive of the unique needs of this patient population. Simple places to start at site could include supporting staff with cultural awareness training, providing restrooms that are gender neutral, and establishing a safe space where people can share information privately.”

Rosamund Round (She/Her)
Vice President, Patient Innovation Center and Decentralized Trials, Parexel