Being LGBTQ+ in Medicine

Northwestern Medicine (NM) is a massive healthcare institution in the heart of Chicago, the third largest city in the United States and home to nearly 3 million people. Whether you are working, shadowing, or doing research, you will be surrounded by countless other students, faculty, and staff of diverse backgrounds anywhere you go on the NM campus. By and large, the entirety of the NM community is accepting, welcoming and open-minded, and with an expansive Outlist and Allylist, there will be no shortage of finding a like-minded, empathetic mentor who can offer shadowing experience, advise on research, and help guide your medical education. What’s more, there are a bunch of Northwestern-sanctioned events, talks, and gatherings catered to LGBTQ+ folks that are hosted by the Feinberg LGBTQ+ Alliance, the Northwestern Women’s Center, the Office of Diversity & Inclusion, and more.

Moving beyond Northwestern, Chicago is renowned for being a receptive, accessible city for individuals of all backgrounds, and this holds especially true for LGBTQ+ folks. Neighborhoods like Boystown and Andersonville are home to countless LGBTQ+ bars, LGBTQ-affirming healthcare clinics, and so much more, and these neighborhoods are only a short ride away from the NM campus on Chicago’s ‘L’ train system. Additionally, there is a seemingly endless amount of annual, community events catered to Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community like Chicago Pride, Andersonville Midsommarfest, Northhalsted Market Days, and many more.