This post is really an addendum to my earlier one today. I realized after posting that this issue arose again when applying to residencies. Basically, the things to consider are the same as when debating whether to be out when applying to medical school. What does differ is that residency programs are generally smaller in size and you will be spending a lot of time with your co-residents and faculty. So a potential conflict with one interviewer takes on much greater magnitude if that person will essentially be your boss or a key part of your social network for the next 3-8 years.

An interest in GLBT health issues or patient populations may be well-received at some programs in fields like family medicine, internal medicine, and psychiatry. It may not be as well-received in other specialties, and in some fields, like my own, pathology, it may not even be that relevant. That said, I personally was out on my residency application since one of my med school activities to list on ERAS was the GLBT group at my school. I also figured that since I would be interviewing with most of the attendings at each program and some residents that I would be working with, I would rather just put it out there, so to speak, and see what response I got. If it was poor I did not want to sign on for four years at that program. Overall, it was a non-issue and not discussed at most places, and where there was a questionable response I was glad I had that information when making my rank list.