"The mistreatment of Indigenous women"

I was admitted into hospital after I lactated blood and was very unwell. I came into the obs ward from ER and that is when I felt the chaos ensued. I recall the nurses were talking about their trips and partying whilst I requested pain meds and to get an examination. Then I believe I heard someone say that’s so gay in a derogatory manner.

Saying homophobic slurs made my partner and I feel incredibly uncomfortable as a gay couple. Not only did we experience an avenue of what I felt was homophobia, but I believe we experienced racism. This includes another nurse whom, when discussing my lactation (out loud: ie breach of patient confidentiality), I recall said that it’s either my meds or it must be meth and I believe joked about it whilst I’m behind a sheath curtain.

I believe they knew I identify as Aboriginal, by saying statements like this, I feel it further undermines my position in this hospital but also the pain I’ve experienced (my family have a history of BRCA2 hence that’s why I came in). Not to mention people who are using elicit drugs still deserve treatment and not to be, what I saw, as the butt of any jokes.

When my internal examination was happening, it seemed to me this nurse used their phone light (yep, I recall took off their gloves to use their personal phone to shed light on my vulva). I addressed their behaviour and told them that it’s inappropriate to joke about Aboriginal people nor anyone like that.

I left feeling violated and disrespected. When I discussed my medical symptoms I recall they stated have I been using doctor google? No, I am a patient who is seeking help but I believe because of the colour of my skin and my sexual orientation, my ability to receive medical treatment was ended abruptly because I felt uncomfortable.