LOS ANGELES — Gaining access to the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is a welcomed relief for Roger Burnley.
What You Need To Know
- Los Angeles LGBT Center acquired and will distribute 100 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for its senior patients
- LGBTQ+ individuals have faced discrimination and mistreatment in regards to their health care, according to a 2020 CAP Survey
- Roger Burnley is relieved to have finally received the vaccine
- He chose to receive his vaccine at the Los Angeles LGBT Center
“I don’t want to take a chance of anyone getting this [COVID-19], if I’m possibly carrying it which I don’t know because I haven’t been tested. Getting the first vaccine is going to give me a sense of protection,” Burnley said.
Although he could have tried signing up for his vaccination through any L.A. County site, he chose to receive his vaccine at the Los Angeles LGBT Center.
“I feel more comfortable here because this is where I come. This is where my doctor is, it is a familiar place. The safety of it felt good to me,” Burnley said.
The Center plans to distribute 100 weekly doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to its senior patients. The vaccinations were made available on the same day as House Democrats introduced the Equality Act in Congress that would ban discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.
Burnley, who identifies as a gay man, has been a patient with the Center for more than a decade. While he has not been discriminated against in a traditional health care setting, a recent survey by the Center for American Progress found 15% of LGBTQ+ Americans postponed or avoided medical treatments due to discrimination, and more than 1 in 10 individuals reported mistreatment by a doctor or a health care provider.
Dr. Ward Carpenter, the co-director of health services at the Center, shared that LGBTQ+ individuals have a long history of health care discrimination. That is why he said it is critical for the Center’s community health center to create access for their patients.
“So many of these folks are living with often no social supports at all. So, asking your granddaughter to help you get registered for the vaccine, this group of people, many of them don’t have that option,” Dr. Carpenter said.
As the doctor preps Burnley’s arm for his first dose, he is preparing for the hope of seeing his loved ones that will eventually come with it.
“I can interact more. Eventually, I can kind of get back to life. My brother has many health conditions. I have not been able to see them. So after I’m fully immunized, I’m going to feel much more freedom,” Burnley said.
Until then, Burnley will continue taking precautions in hopes of safely reuniting with his loved ones soon.