Kristina Rodriguez says she was stunned to find that ‘lesbianism’ was listed on her medical history after having routine blood tests done at Lake Park Family Practice in North Carolina.
Rodriguez has been visiting the health care provider since she was 10-years-old, and was puzzled as to why her sexual orientation was listed as a ‘medical problem’ on her file.
She tells WSOC TV that she immediately questioned her doctor about the memo.
“I don’t see a need to put that on there. [When I raised it] he was asking, ‘Where would you like to put it?’, and I said, ‘I don’t want you to put it anywhere! Why does it need to be there?’"
She says she was told that her lesbianism was listed in her file to “protect her from being offended”.
“It's 2017. It's very normal for people to have a same-sex partner,” says Rodriguez.
While Rodriguez joked that she should use her condition to call in sick at work, she is concerned that the practice could affect other patients.
“This listed as a medical problem could really set someone back, could mess with their self-esteem and could make them think something is wrong with them.”
The Carolinas Health Care System has since released a statement saying they are working to improve their process of collecting patient information.
“Sexual orientation is not a clinical diagnosis and we will be working closely with our physicians and providers to ensure that information included in medical records is appropriate, respectful and consistent with our belief in the importance of diversity.
"We strongly support diversity and inclusion in all our interactions with patients, the public and our teammates, including creating an affirming environment for LGBT patients and their families.”
