About the author: Gilbert Achay (he/him/his/siya) spent over a decade in local and national nonprofits, engaged in youth programs and health advocacy. For nine years he worked at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, serving the company’s philanthropic initiatives on health and racial equity. He is also a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant with the Sankofa Leadership Network.

Originally from Hawai’i, Gilbert grew up learning about his grandparents’ experiences as union workers in the sugarcane plantation fields. This spurred his interest in organizing and contributing to social causes that address power imbalances. He has a B.S. degree from the University of Minnesota, with concentrations in Child Development, Psychology, and Holistic Health, and is a graduate student in counseling psychology at Saint Mary’s University. Gil currently works for the Department of Family Medicine at CU as the Associate Director of Departmental Engagement.

As we move into May, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month and ahead into June’s LGBTQ+ Pride Month, I reflect on what it means to exist at the juncture of these identities. In academic health settings, these observances are more than symbolic; they are an invitation to deepen our understanding of the communities we serve.

AANHPI communities are often viewed through the “model minority” myth, the assumption that all are economically stable, highly educated, and in good health. While seemingly positive, this narrative conceals real inequities. “AANHPI” encompasses tremendous diversity, including immigrants, refugees, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and individuals with varying levels of English proficiency. When data are aggregated, disparities in chronic disease, mental health, and access to care are often obscured, leaving vulnerable subgroups unseen.

At the same time, LGBTQ+ identities exist within AANHPI communities, not outside them. For those who identify as both, experiences of gender and sexuality are shaped by cultural values, family expectations, and social norms. These factors can influence how individuals seek care, disclose identity, and navigate stigma, particularly around mental health and sexuality.

This intersection can create distinct healthcare challenges. Patients may encounter providers who lack cultural understanding of AANHPI experiences, or who are not prepared to offer affirming LGBTQ+ care. Others may face language barriers alongside concerns about confidentiality or acceptance. Many experience a form of invisibility, not fully seen in either AANHPI or LGBTQ+ health narratives. For those of us in the healthcare professions, recognizing these layered experiences is essential to improving patient-centered care.

Colorado-specific resources are available to expand our awareness of these issues. The Colorado Lotus Project uses data and community narratives to highlight the diversity of AANHPI populations, revealing differences in social determinants and healthcare outcomes that are typically overlooked. Similarly, the Colorado Department of Public Health offers a repository of information about the disparities affecting LGBTQ+ populations, including tools for providers. Yet data and resources alone are not enough. Building relationships with community-based organizations is crucial. These partners offer insights, lived expertise, and trust within the community that can strengthen our efforts around research, training, and clinical care.

As we recognize AANHPI Heritage Month and LGBTQ+ Pride Month, we are called on to move beyond acknowledgment toward action by examining how we engage, educate, conduct research, and provide care. For those of us who live at this intersection, these months are not separate but connected realities of who we are. For our institutions, they are a reminder to see complexity more clearly, and to respond with the care that reflects it.