Monday, April 27, 2015

Conference Hopes to Make Healthcare More Inclusive of LGBT People

Posted By on Mon, Apr 27, 2015 at 4:30 PM


Quality and inclusive healthcare for LGBTQ will be the focus of an annual conference hosted by local behavioral health providers.

The event, going strong on its fourth year, will have several workshops and keynotes to discuss the best clinical care practices for LGBTQI adults and children—both already in places and emerging methods. 

From a Community Partnership of Southern Arizona press release:
The Let's Get Better Together Leadership Track offered in conjunction with the conference is a two-pronged intensive focus targeting agency leaders. Attendees will learn some of the basics of institutional cultural competency and workforce development and will apply what is learned to their respective organizations, create a plan, and commit to follow up after the workshop is complete. Attendees will review and discuss their institutional policies around inclusion, and any information regarding cultural competency plans and committees. 
The keynote speaker will be LGBT/immigration rights activist Raúl Alcaraz Ochoa and the Rainbow Defense Fund—they do tons of work with LGBT immigrants/asylum seekers in Southern Arizona. There will also be presentations by organizations like La Frontera and the UA Institute for LGBT Studies.

Having providers who are knowledgeable and accepting of LGBT individuals is a constant struggle in the community. 

An October 2010 survey by the National Transgender Discrimination Survey and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force says that out of more than 7,000 LGBTQI people surveyed, close to 30 percent postponed visiting the doctor and that same number reported being harassed at a health center. Half of them said they ended up having to teach the doctors and health providers about transgender care and 19 percent said they were refused care due to their transgender and gender nonconforming status.

In January, the first clinic geared toward LGBT adults and children officially opened its doors—Living Out Loud. 

If you are interested in going to the conference, register on the Let's Get Better Together Conference site. There's also a good summary of what will take place at the event.

The conference, organized by the LGBTQ Coalition of Southern Arizona and the LGBT Consortium, is open to everyone on Friday, May 8 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador, 10000 N. Oracle Road. Also, tasty food is included!

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