Spotting Microaggressions: How to Recognize and Respond

I recently talked about how microaggressions can subtly yet significantly impact LGBTQ+ individuals in healthcare and wellness spaces on the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce Podcast, which ties directly into our mission at OutWellness—to create a space where everyone feels safe, seen, and cared for. 

That’s why I want to spend a little time talking about how these moments happen, why they matter, and how both individuals and wellness centers can address them. I’m sure I’ve missed some microaggressions (there are so many!), so please feel free to message me with any that I might have overlooked. We love hearing from y’all, and who knows—maybe there will be a part two to this article!

1. The Assumed Partner

Scenario:
Imagine you’re at a wellness center, ready to start a journey focused on your well-being. During the intake process, the practitioner casually asks, “Does your husband support your wellness journey?” For Jade, who is married to a woman, this question feels like a small but sharp reminder that people often assume everyone is straight.

Microaggression:
Heteronormativity—the assumption that everyone is heterosexual unless stated otherwise.

Why This Sucks and How It Can Affect You:
When your identity is assumed, it can make you feel invisible or invalidated. According to a study, 56% of LGBTQ+ individuals have reported being subject to slights like these in healthcare settings.* It’s not just an innocent mistake; it’s a reminder that your relationship isn’t seen as normal or expected. Over time, this can lead to feelings of discomfort or even avoidance of care, which is the opposite of what wellness centers should aim for.

How You Can Handle It & How Healthcare and Wellness Centers Can Do Better:
If you’re comfortable, gently correct the assumption and clarify your relationship. Wellness centers should train their staff to avoid assumptions and use open-ended questions like, “Is there anyone in your life who supports your wellness journey?” This small shift in language can make a big difference.

2. The Gender Box

Scenario:
You’re filling out an intake form at a wellness center, excited to get started. But then you hit a roadblock: the form only offers “male” or “female” as gender options. For Alex, who identifies as non-binary, this feels like a clear sign that their identity doesn’t fit within this space.

Microaggression:
Gender Exclusion—the erasure or disregard of non-binary identities.

Why This Sucks and How It Can Affect You:
Being forced to choose between two options that don’t represent you can be frustrating and alienating. A survey found that 70% of transgender and non-binary people have experienced discrimination in healthcare settings, often due to forms or procedures that don’t acknowledge their identities. It signals that your identity isn’t recognized or respected, which can lead to a lack of trust in the care you’ll receive. Feeling unwelcome can discourage you from returning, which may negatively impact your overall health.

How You Can Handle It & How Healthcare and Wellness Centers Can Do Better:
You might choose to discuss your gender identity with the staff and ask for your information to be recorded accurately. Wellness centers should update their forms to include more inclusive options, ensuring that all clients feel acknowledged and respected.

3. The Pronoun Problem

Scenario:
Chris, a trans man, eagerly visits a new wellness center, hopeful for a positive experience. But despite listing his pronouns clearly on the intake form, the staff repeatedly misgenders him during the consultation. Each instance feels like a punch to his confidence and comfort.

Microaggression:
Misgendering—using incorrect pronouns or inappropriately gendered language for someone.

Why This Sucks and How It Can Affect You:
Misgendering isn’t just a simple mistake—it’s a fundamental disregard for someone’s identity. A staggering 68% of transgender individuals have reported experiencing misgendering in healthcare settings*. It can make you feel disrespected and invisible, which can lead to anxiety, frustration, and a reluctance to return to that wellness center. It’s a barrier to the safe and supportive environment that everyone deserves.

How You Can Handle It & How Healthcare and Wellness Centers Can Do Better:
If you feel comfortable, correct the person and restate your pronouns. Wellness centers must prioritize training staff on the importance of using correct pronouns and understanding their significance. This basic respect can make all the difference in creating an inclusive environment.

4. The Heteronormative Environment

Scenario:
Taylor, who identifies as queer, walks into a wellness center and immediately notices the decor—posters, brochures, and magazines all featuring straight couples and families. It’s a subtle but clear message: this space isn’t really for people like Taylor.

Microaggression:
Exclusionary Representation—the absence of LGBTQ+ representation in marketing and physical spaces.

Why This Sucks and How It Can Affect You:
When you don’t see yourself reflected in the environment, it can make you feel like you don’t belong. This lack of representation can make the space feel unwelcoming or even hostile, which may discourage you from engaging fully with the services offered. This absence of inclusion can lead to avoidance of care and even health disparities among LGBTQ+ individuals.

How You Can Handle It & How Healthcare and Wellness Centers Can Do Better:
You might choose to give feedback to the wellness center about the lack of diversity in their materials. Wellness centers should ensure that their marketing and decor reflect a diverse range of identities and relationships. This helps signal that everyone is welcome and valued.

5. The Uncomfortable Question

Scenario:
Morgan, a trans woman, is in a consultation when the practitioner asks about her transition in a way that feels more like personal curiosity than a medical necessity. It’s a question that instantly makes her feel singled out and uncomfortable.

Microaggression:
Invasive Questioning—asking unnecessary or overly personal questions that make someone feel othered.

Why This Sucks and How It Can Affect You:
Invasive questions can make you feel like a curiosity or an outsider, rather than a person deserving of respect and care. This can lead to discomfort, distrust, and a reluctance to seek further care. Research shows that such experiences can lead to a decrease in healthcare engagement,* with some LGBTQ+ individuals avoiding healthcare altogether.

How You Can Handle It & How Healthcare and Wellness Centers Can Do Better:
You might redirect the conversation to focus on your current health needs, politely indicating that the question isn’t relevant. Wellness centers should train staff to ask only medically necessary questions and to do so with sensitivity and respect. Prioritizing the individual’s comfort and dignity is key to providing effective care.

Microaggressions might seem small, but their impact is anything but. They can create an environment where LGBTQ+ individuals feel unseen, unwelcome, and unsupported. At OutWellness, we’re committed to eliminating these subtle harms and creating a space where everyone feels valued. By paying attention to these interactions and making conscious changes, wellness centers can truly become places of healing and inclusivity for all.

For more insights, you can listen to my discussion on Episode 26 of the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce Podcast.

*”How Microaggressions Affect the LGBTQ+ Community,” Health Matters by NewYork-Presbyterian, accessed August 20, 2024.