Small signals guide LGBTQ+ surgery applicants

LGBTQ+ general surgery residents judged programs for safety by small cues and by the region they lived in.

• Some disclosed their identity as a “litmus test” to screen programs; others hid it, fearing lower rankings.
• Pronouns, pride symbols, and the tone of answers to LGBTQ+ questions signaled safety.
• Seeing LGBTQ+ residents and faculty reduced doubt about belonging.

This was 17 interviews with current US residents, so it shows what applicants weigh, not which programs are actually safe.

• Programs that want these applicants can make their signals visible, starting with interview-day conduct.