LGBTQIA+ Affirming Prenatal Genetic Counseling

Rozalia (she/her) received her BA in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2015 and her MS in genetic counseling from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, in 2021. While earning her degree, she provided genetic counseling services to families of children with Angelman syndrome at the Center for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. She credits her research background on frontal lobe inhibition in ADHD with sparking her interest in neurogenetics. Outside her clinical practice, Rozalia volunteers her time to variant curation, research opportunities, and supporting the LGBT community. Rozalia identifies as Queer and is the author of the paper, “Disclosure and comfort during genetic counseling sessions with LGBTQ+ patients”.

Chelsea Wagner (she/her) is Lead Genetic Counselor at BillionToOne. As a seasoned reproductive/prenatal genetic counselor, Chelsea is passionate about reproductive justice and health equity. Her roles have included serving as a reproductive health expert for NSGC’s media panel, past Co-Chair of the NSGC’s Prenatal Special Interest Group, and active participation in numerous advocacy efforts across state and national levels. Chelsea believes that healthcare must be compassionate, patient-focused, and equitable.

In this discussion, Chelsea Wagner and Rozalia Valentine discuss:

• Creating psychologically safe and inclusive environments
• Supporting access to equitable care and reproductive options
• Representation in family history collection
• Resources and ways to support LBGTQ+ colleagues and patients

For further reading:

• Culture Ally Training
• Practice resource-focused revision: Standardized pedigree nomenclature update centered on sex and gender inclusivity: A practice resource of the National Society of Genetic Counselors
• NSGC’s Policy Statement: Distinguishing Sex and Gender to Reduce Harm
• Inclusive inheritance patterns visual aids created by the Prenatal SIG, published on NSGC’s JEDI Resource page.
• DNA Dialogues, Episode #4
• Collaboration with TGD Educators to build an inclusive learning cycle
• Genetic testing cannot reveal the gender of your baby − two genetic counselors explain the complexities of sex and gender
• NSGC Perspectives Articles:
  • An Urgent Call for Genetics Organizations to Support Transgender and Intersex Communities
  • Degendering ‘The Gender Test’ — Reframing Gender Conversations in Prenatal Genetics Clinics
• National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center
  • Reproductive Health Resources
  • Collecting Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Data Collection