Dean Statement on LGBT Health Awareness Week

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean today issued the following statement on National LGBT Health Awareness Week:

"National LGBT Health Awareness Week serves as a valuable reminder of the importance of focusing on the unique health challenges confronting America's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. America needs a health care system that works for everyone, including the LGBT community. I am proud to lead a party that has taken this challenge to heart, and is fighting to protect the economic security and health care security of every single American.

"America also needs public policies that seek to fully incorporate LGBT families into the fabric of our society. Many of the unique health challenges facing members of the LGBT community are directly related to the pressure of living in the closet or the pain of confronting persistent prejudice on a daily basis. As Governor of Vermont, I signed the nation's first civil unions bill, in part because I understand that we cannot fully address these problems until LGBT families can live with the dignity and recognition they deserve, and until they have access to the same health benefits as every other family in America.

"Finally, truly confronting the LGBT health issues means ending the stigma that too often surrounds those issues. That is why I believe the theme of this year's LGBT Health Awareness Week, 'Own Your Health, Get Checked Out,' is so powerful. As a doctor, I understand the importance of early detection and treatment, the need for the government to respect patients' privacy, and the dangers of avoiding treatment or hiding information from caregivers because of fear, discrimination or bias. No American should be denied health care by prejudice.

"This week, we recommit ourselves to the fight to provide access to health care to every American."