Centering Community Concerns and Recommendations amid Rapid Policy Changes: Impacts on Social Protection, Well-being, and Health Access

Rapidly evolving policies on gender identity and expression have highlighted a wide range of public and political perspectives on whether to limit or support demands for gender identification and healthcare services for the LGBTQ+ community. Due to the rise in these pro and against narratives and incidents, there were increased protection risks for this group. Scholars and practitioners working closely with LGBTQ+ members are witnessing increased distress and concerns among them, creating further barriers to care and heightened stigma. This is why community-based scholars and educators initiated an open consultation to create a non-partisan space for dialogue, reflection, and learning more about the policy implications grounded in the lived experiences of residents living in rural Texas. This article begins with a brief literature review of environmental factors (particularly, social protection) that influence well-being and access to healthcare. This article then details a participatory process of conducting a community-based open consultation for capturing local voices in policy dialogues. The article then details the impact of policies on residents’ experiences with social protection, well-being, and health care accessibility. Finally, the piece offers grassroots policy and practice recommendations to support the development of inclusive, evidence-informed, and community-centered services and policies.