Theme for this year’s LGBT Health Awareness Week: “Out for Equity”

It’s LGBT Health Awareness week, and this year’s theme is “Out For Equity.” Created by The National Coalition for LGBT Health, the week is meant to raise awareness and encourage our communities to be “Out for Equity” by advocating for LGBTQ health. 

This year’s theme came to light after results of the coalition’s Inaugural State of LGBTQ Health National Survey. The survey is slated for release April 5 and focuses on the current state of LGBTQ health as reported by more than 700 survey respondents, including providers, health systems administrators, and consumers.  

There is a disastrous cycle of discrimination and inconsistencies affecting lesbian, gay, bi, and transgender people, and this year has been rougher than most. LGBTQ people face discrimination on a daily basis, whether it is in employment, relationship recognition, and especially when it comes to insurance coverage, an area what is still not equitable for the queer community. Consequently, LGBTQ Americans are more likely than other Americans to be uninsured or underinsured as compared to their straight, cis counterparts.  

The coalition has worked tirelessly to create an outline for the week which can be found on their website. The week’s programming will be focused on topics such as advocacy, voting, non-discrimination, and HIV and PrEP.  They will also be hosting two webinars throughout the week. The webinars will focus on training a new generation of providers on LGBTQ health and addressing the challenges of PrEP access and uptake. 

After the year we’ve had, it’s a more important time than any that communities advocate for  LGBTQ equity and equality when it comes to healthcare. No one should have to avoid care for fear of discrimination.  Head over to The National Coalition for LGBT Health to find how you can show support this week! 

Webinars will take place Tuesday, March 23 and Thursday, March 25.