Via Shutterstock.

Via Shutterstock.

Councilmembers David Grosso (I-At Large) an Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7) introduced a bill at today’s legislative session that would help address health disparities in D.C.’s LGBTQ community.

The bill, called the “LGBTQ Cultural Competency Continuing Education Amendment Act of 2015,” would require all healthcare professions to take two credits of cultural competency instruction “focusing on patients who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender nonconforming, queer, or questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.”

In a release, Grosso mentions a recent Joint Commission field guide that highlights the disparities patients in the LGBTQ community face while trying to seek basic healthcare.

“Over 66,000 LGBTQ citizens reside in D.C., and they deserve access to medical professionals who are sensitive to and knowledgeable about the unique health needs of the LGBTQ community,” Grosso said. “LGBTQ health disparities are real and this is a contribution to our efforts to narrow those disparities in the District of Columbia.”

Alexander, who chairs the Council’s Committee on Health, said she’s going to hold a public hearing on the proposed legislation as soon as possible, the Washington Blade reports. All other Councilmembers signed on as co-sponsors of the bill.