Diversity Role Models’ Post

🥂 We finally made it to February! 🥂 January always feels like the worlds longest month, so congratulations to everyone for making it through. 😂 February also marks the start of LGBT+ History Month, and with this year’s theme of ‘Medicine - #underthescope’ I wanted to highlight some of the key moments in LGBT+ healthcare history. ❤️ 1981 - The first cases of AIDS are recorded. Terrence Higgins is the first British gay man diagnosed with AIDS and his partner and friends set up the Terrence Higgins Trust after his death in 1982, which goes on to become a leading sexual health and HIV charity in the UK 🧡 1996 - Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is found to significantly delay the onset of AIDS in people living with HIV, marking a significant breakthrough in AIDS treatment. The NHS makes the treatment available in the UK 💛 2004 – LGBT+ History Month is founded. The UK Gender Recognition Act becomes law on July 1st, offering trans people full legal recognition of their change of gender 💚 2006 - The first annual LGBT Health Summit is held in London, providing a safe and supportive space for individuals, organisations, and activists to come together to discuss and debate LGBT healthcare practices in the UK 💙 2018 - The UK’s Government Equalities Office publishes the National LGBT Survey. Over 108,000 people participated in the survey making it the largest national survey of LGBT people in the world to date 💜 2019 - The World Health Organisation declassifies transgender as a mental illness. The UK Government appoints Dr Michael Brady as the first National Advisor for LGBT Health in the NHS This is of course just a small selection of the incredible achievements in LGBT+ healthcare. Which ones have I missed? #lgbthistorymonth #lgbtqia #lgbtqrights #lgbtqhealth #healthcare

🌟 National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day serves as a vital moment to recognize and address the unique health disparities faced by Native communities, including LGBTQ individuals. 🏳️🌈 This event is crucial in highlighting the intersectionality of health disparities within Native LGBTQ communities.  It emphasizes the need for culturally competent healthcare, focusing on inclusivity, and raising awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention and care in a respectful manner. 🌐 For LGBTQ organizations, centers, and groups, National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day holds significant relevance.  It provides an opportunity to advocate for the health and well-being of Native LGBTQ individuals, fostering inclusivity, and addressing the specific health priorities of this community. 💖 CenterLink and member centers play a vital role in providing support, resources, and inclusive healthcare services for Native LGBTQ individuals.  They serve as safe spaces where cultural competence is prioritized, ensuring that everyone receives the care and support they deserve. 💪 Let's amplify the conversation! Share your thoughts below on how we can collectively address health disparities and promote inclusivity for Native LGBTQ communities on this awareness day. 👇 Looking for connection and community? Locate the nearest LGBTQ+ Center in your area: https://lnkd.in/e6jecvqT 📸 [Image Description: A vibrant image featuring Native LGBTQ individuals, celebrating unity and health awareness, with the CenterLink brand and text displaying the topic of 5 Ways LGBTQ Groups Can Address Health Disparities on National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day .] #NativeHealthEquity #LGBTQInclusivity #NNHAAD  #lgbtqcenters

February is LGBT+ History Month in the UK. This year, the theme is Medicine - #UnderTheScope and celebrates LGBT+ peoples’ contributions to the field of medicine and healthcare throughout history and continuing today! With studies and surveys showing that the LGBT+ communities continue to face stigma, harassment, and challenges in accessing healthcare, it is a great time to build more awareness and help reduce the barriers faced when accessing healthcare, including testing for STIs such as HIV. One of the benefits of rapid testing is the ease of use and ability to access trusted testing where it best suits your needs. With the INSTI® HIV-1/2 Antibody Self Test, you can take the test in the comfort of your home and get results in just 1 minute! Rapid testing is a great tool that can help broaden access and reduce stigma for groups such as LGBT+ communities that have struggled to access healthcare. Learn more about rapid testing for HIV: https://lnkd.in/gqzy92v . #LGBTQHistoryMonthUK #LGBTQ+UK #NationalHIVTestingWeek #hiv #hivawareness #hivtesting #rapidtesting #gotaminute

"Isolation. Trauma. Returning To The closet. State’s Aging LGBTQ Population Faces Unique Challenges." California is conducting its first-ever survey of LGBTQ older adults to better understand their diverse needs across the state. The survey is meant to help state leaders and aging advocates better understand and quantify the diverse needs of LGBTQ seniors across the state, including the particular health care demands of long-term HIV survivors and the challenges some queer older adults face finding assisted living. Previous surveys in other states and communities, including a 2014 study in San Francisco, found that LGBTQ adults are confronted with unique challenges compared to their straight and cisgender peers as they age. Survey organizers hope the statewide study will help them identify trends in the LGBTQ community, but also issues that may be particular to certain groups — the needs of an older transgender woman in San Francisco may be very different from a gay Latino senior in the Central Valley, for example. “It is a unique aging experience for LGBTQIA older adults,” said Susan DeMarois, director of the California Department of Aging. “And the more we can tailor services to the unique needs of individuals, the more successful we’ll be.” https://lnkd.in/gaUWHzrV

Did you know that 30% of transgender individuals become sexually active before the age of 18? And yet, HIV programs can only provide support after they turn 18. This alarming statistic, along with the fact that 7.5% of transgender women have HIV (IBBS 2014-2015), highlights the urgent need for awareness and action. At Naz Foundation, we strive to empower and support the LGBTQIA+ community, including transgender individuals, through our clinic and helpline. We understand the unique challenges faced by this community, such as higher HIV rates (11.2%) in those who cannot read or write, and 10% prevalence among sex workers and masseurs. It is also disheartening to note that the average age at which transgender people have sexual encounters is only 15 years. This further emphasizes the importance of early intervention and education.  Our Naz clinic offers confidential and non-judgmental services for those in need. From free consultation with medical professionals to access to resources and support, we are here for you. If you or someone you know is part of the LGBTQIA+ community and needs medical assistance, please visit the Naz Clinic. To make an appointment, call our Naz Dost Helpline at +91 8800329176 or +91 1140669411/12/13/14, Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  #NazFoundation #LGBTQIA+ #TransgenderAwareness #HIVPrevention #Empowerment #Equality #HealthEquity #healthcare #transgender #communitysupport #HIVawareness #inclusivehealthcare #queerindia #lgbtqindia #lgbtindia #transgenderindia #lgbtq

So honored to chat with CBS Chicago about the recent study from American Cancer Society detailing the health disparities experienced by the LGBTQ community. This first-ever LGBTQ+ report notes that LGBTQ+ people are probably at higher risk for cancer, yet experience multiple barriers to high-quality healthcare access (discrimination, shortfalls in provider knowledge of unique medical needs). Additionally, LGBTQ+ people living with HIV, HPV, and HCV share considerably higher risks of various cancers. Finally, screening for some cancers is low among transgender people. For more information about the report or to get screened, visit cancer.org. https://lnkd.in/gbBA_UqV

Today is Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day with the empowering theme: “Power to the People”. Let’s unite to tackle the HIV/AIDS epidemic and drive change in our community. Why Your Voice Matters: 🔹 Staggering Statistics: The South represents nearly 50% of all new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. – a call to action for us all. 🔹 Disproportionate Impact: African Americans, making up 43% of new HIV diagnoses in the South, and Latino communities are bearing a heavy burden. 🔹 Barriers to Care: Stigma and limited access to healthcare continue to hinder prevention and treatment efforts. #HIV #AIDS #SAC #SouthernAIDSCoalition #SHAAD2024 #Community #EndHIVStigma #SouthernHIV #PLWHIV #SouthernHealth #DeepSouth #LGBTQ #CivilRights #HumanRights #History #SouthernHistory #SouthernAdvocacy #Advocacy #Leadership #Education #PrEP #StopHIV #GetTested #PowerToThePeople #CommunityStrength #CommunicationAction #Power #Joy #SouthernJoy

Haven't heard of the Grand Rapids LGBTQ+ Healthcare Consortium yet? Or wonder what they do? Or even, why is it important? Well check us out!! The Consortium is a amazing group of entities and individuals who believe we can make a positive difference in our communities by collaborating, addressing real issues in innovative ways, and by sharing the work with other like minded entities and individuals. The Consortium began in 2018 and remains a grass roots movement that became a 501(c)3 in April 2021. The Consortium was 100% volunteer run until July 2023 when an executive director was hired. We have two fabulous AmeriCorps members through Cherry Health who are focused on specific projects, and a few volunteers who help with projects and programs. Not to mention our fantastic board of directors, several who have been on the board since becoming a 501(c)3! We have: Health Education Series - virtual monthly talks from LGBTQ+ affirming providers sharing about a service they offer LGBTQ+ individuals, how their office works at being safe and affirming, and answers questions. This is recorded and housed on our YouTube channel for anyone to access. Med PATH Mentors is a mentoring program focused on high school youth who want to go into healthcare as a career. Our goal is to encourage youth from the LGBTQ+ community and/or People of Color to not only pick healthcare as a career but then to join the healthcare systems in Grand Rapids post training. We will be graduating three high school seniors this year, and have two sophomores who will also be completing the program with the option to join again next year. Program runs September - May. Provider/Payer workgroup just launched and is an attempt to break down silos between groups, bring key stakeholders to the conversation to make healthcare less cumbersome, more efficient and hopefully a better experience for all, especially for the patients. Plus other projects either happening or in planning phases! Please check us out and reach out if you'd like to get involved, join a program, collaborate on something, or discuss how the Consortium can help on your journey to being a safe and affirming place for ALL! https://lnkd.in/eqc6-UPf

In the 1980s, during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, many countries imposed lifetime bans on blood donations from transgender individuals and MSM (men who have sex with men).   According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), transgender individuals are about 13 times more likely to be HIV-positive than the general adult population. In regions like Asia and the Pacific, transgender women disproportionately represent 7% of new HIV infections.    World Blood Donor Day calls attention to the importance of safe blood donations and the need to end discriminatory donor eligibility criteria, fostering a more inclusive and efficient global blood donation network.  https://lnkd.in/dXGEGzAn #WorldBloodDonorDay #HIVAwareness #AIDSEpidemic #TransgenderHealth #BloodDonation #LGBTQ #EndDiscrimination #Healthcare #WHO #BloodDonations #Health #Awareness #Equality #Support #Community #GlobalHealth #Indiaspend

🌍🌈 Reflecting on the Past: World AIDS Day 🌈🌍 As I sit here today, going through the historical medical records of veterans during their time in service, I am reminded of the profound impact that history has on our present. It is both a privilege and a responsibility to delve into the past, understanding the challenges and triumphs that have shaped our society. Today, I came across a particularly confronting chapter in our collective history - the AIDS pandemic of the early 1980s. As I reviewed pathology results during that time, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. The records not only highlighted the medical aspects but also delved into deeply personal details, such as the patients' sexual history, drug use, and blood transfusions. This experience has reminded me of the struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community during that era. It serves as a stark reminder of the discrimination and stigma they endured, as their personal lives were scrutinized and judged in the context of their medical conditions. It is a painful reminder of the battles fought and the progress we have made since then. Coincidentally, tomorrow marks World AIDS Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, supporting those affected, and remembering those we have lost. It is a day to reflect on the progress we have made in combating this disease, but also to acknowledge the work that still lies ahead and our queer history. #WorldAIDSDay #InclusionMatters #LGBTQ+ #HealthcareAdvocacy