BACKGROUND:
LGBTIQ+ health profession students occupy a critical position at the intersection of education, healthcare systems, and public health equity. While global commitments emphasise inclusive health workforces, emerging evidence suggests that LGBTIQ+ students continue to experience discrimination, exclusion, and psychosocial harm during professional training. However, the scope, nature, and geographic distribution of this evidence remain fragmented, particularly in Global South contexts. This scoping review aimed to map existing literature on the lived experiences of LGBTIQ+ health profession students, with a focus on challenges, supports, and identified gaps relevant to public health.

METHODS:
A scoping review was conducted following established methodological frameworks. Multiple academic databases were systematically searched for peer-reviewed studies examining the experiences of LGBTIQ+ students enrolled in health professions education. Studies were screened using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were charted and synthesised thematically, with attention to geographic context, discipline, and intersections of sexuality, gender identity, race, and institutional environment.

RESULTS:
The review identified a growing but uneven body of literature, predominantly from high-income Global North settings. Key challenges included pervasive microaggressions, heteronormative and cisnormative curricula, fear of disclosure in clinical spaces, and limited institutional support, all of which negatively impacted mental health, academic engagement, and professional identity development. Supportive factors included affirming peer networks, visible role models, and inclusive policies where present. Notably, few studies centred Black or Global South LGBTIQ+ students, addressed intersectionality in depth, or examined structural and institutional accountability.

CONCLUSIONS:
Findings highlight persistent inequities in health professions education that have direct implications for student wellbeing, workforce diversity, and future patient care. The absence of Global South and intersectional perspectives represents a critical public health gap. Addressing these inequities requires institutional transformation, inclusive curricula, and research agendas that centre marginalised voices to advance health equity and social justice.