A call for better LGBTQ+ care at UMich

As a gay, Queer student at the University of Michigan, I take immense pride in being part of a campus community known for its progressive values and commitment to diversity. This pride drives me to advocate for a more inclusive and supportive campus environment for LGBTQ+ students. We must recognize the gaps in care and resources that leave vulnerable students feeling unsupported during critical moments.

A recent incident underscores the urgent need for improvement in our University’s health services and sexual health education.

A fellow student — who has given me permission to share their experience — received an HIV-positive diagnosis from University Health Services outside of business hours through an impersonal online notification. When the student opened the message, they were alone and without immediate support. Imagine, for a moment, receiving life-altering news alone. Is this how members of our community deserve to be treated?

I spent the night with the student, concerned for their emotional state as they struggled to process the news. Though they returned to UHS the next morning to seek help, they should not have had to wait through the night for support after receiving online notification of such a significant diagnosis. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health, best practices for supporting individuals after an HIV-positive diagnosis include providing a safe, private space to deliver the diagnosis, discussing initial treatment options and offering immediate emotional support while allowing the patient to ask questions — ideally delivered through in-person or telehealth options. In many other cities, including my hometown of New York City, health providers ensure that critical diagnoses are immediately accompanied by appropriate emotional support.

Thanks to medical advances, HIV is preventable with treatments like preexposure prophylaxis, also known as PrEP, and targeted public health campaigns. When students do contract HIV, it highlights a significant failure in our public health system. We should be at the forefront of efforts to prevent new infections, but many students remain unaware of preventive options like PrEP and how to access them through their health plans. This gap in access and education leaves students vulnerable and undermines our commitment to their health.

As Public Health students Yizhou Ma and Yuchen Zhang highlighted in their May 2024 op-ed in The Michigan Daily, many health care providers also remain unaware of PrEP as a primary prevention tool for HIV, which can hinder access to this vital resource across all communities. Their call for expanded PrEP education complements the need for comprehensive, LGBTQ+-inclusive care that addresses both prevention and the compassionate delivery of critical health information.

To address these gaps, UHS must actively promote PrEP as a vital resource for all sexually active students. UHS and the Spectrum Center could partner to launch a campus-wide educational campaign, raising awareness about PrEP, its benefits and how to access it affordably. LGBTQ+ students should have access to culturally competent health care providers at UHS who are trained in LGBTQ+-specific medical needs, ensuring they understand the unique health challenges our community faces. Moreover, UHS must guarantee that students receiving a positive diagnosis, especially for HIV, have immediate access to a trained counselor — whether through in-person support or telehealth options after hours. By implementing these practices, UHS can make sure no student has to navigate such traumatic news alone, sparing friends and classmates from the responsibility of providing emotional support in those critical moments.

To those navigating an HIV-positive diagnosis or living with HIV, know that you are not alone. There is a community here to support you, including trained health specialists committed to compassionate care. Consider reaching out to the Spectrum Center or Vivent Health, an HIV care provider with offices in Ypsilanti and Detroit. HIV can be effectively treated, and HIV-positive individuals can live full, happy and healthy lives.

If the University truly aims to embody “The Michigan Difference” and support the well-being of all students, it must prioritize the needs of its most vulnerable populations. With the right education, outreach and support, the University has the resources to prevent and treat HIV in our community. UHS can ensure that difficult news is delivered in a way that respects the dignity of every student with proper care and compassionate policies.

As a proud gay, Queer student at the University, I believe we can and must do better. Our University has the potential to be a leader in supporting LGBTQ+ health and wellness. Let us strive for a campus where everyone receives the care they need, no one navigates their health challenges alone and all students can achieve their full potential in a supportive environment.

Uthman Olagoke (he/him) is a doctoral candidate in Design Science at the University of Michigan. He can be reached at uthamano@umich.edu.

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