What happens when you move to a new country and don’t know where, or whether, you can find healthcare where you feel safe, respected, and understood?

In this episode of The Lebanese Physicians Podcast, I speak with Dr. Diaa El-Jamali, physician and founder of Lasso Health, about navigating LGBTQ+ healthcare abroad. We discuss his practical guide to LGBTQ+ healthcare in Romania and what students, expats, and travelers should know before arriving in a new country. But our conversation goes much deeper.

Dr. El-Jamali shares the powerful story of a 16-year-old psychiatric patient whose behavior changed dramatically after learning that his father still accepted and loved him a case that shaped Dr. Al-Jamali’s understanding of rejection, belonging, minority stress, and mental health.

We also explore how to identify LGBTQ+-friendly physicians and clinics, why sexual orientation should never replace individualized clinical assessment, the role of community organizations, and how parents can respond when a child shares that they may be questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity.

For anyone moving abroad, Dr. El-Jamali leaves us with three practical priorities: know the healthcare basics, find one healthcare professional you can trust, and find your community.

Question for our audience: When someone shares their sexual orientation or gender identity with a parent or healthcare professional, what matters most in that first response, acceptance, listening, education, or reassurance?

Share your thoughts in the comments.

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