LGBT Health National Events

Use national events to spread awareness of LGBT issues and, while you have their attention, educate your classmates about the heath concerns of the LGBT community. You can bring these national events to your campus by posting flyers, handing out stickers/ribbons, or making a huge rainbow cake to celebrate!

• LGBT Health Awareness Week
  Project of National Coaltion of LGBT Health
  The National Coalition of LGBT Health instituted LGBT Health Awareness Week in 2003. Since then, there have been LGBT Health Awareness Week Activites all across the country. In addition there is a yearly national Spring Meeting on LGBT Health in Washington D.C. Through the Coalition’s website they offers posters, fliers, project ideas and more for your school’s own LGBT Health Awareness Week. The Coaliton states four community-driven objectives for the week:
  
  
  1. Raise public awareness of the unique health concerns, as well as the very real health disparities, among the LGBT communities.
  2. Educate the LGBT health communities about the health issues that are present in our communities, since there is a belief that awareness in our communities must be significantly improved.
  3. Provide community health centers, local organizations, and community representatives with tools to amplify the national campaign at the local level.
  4. Educate medical and health care professionals in the area of cultural competency with regard to LGBT health.
  
  Resource
  Events
  Ideas
  Model Program: Univ of Michigan’s LGBT Health Awarness Week Program (PDF)
  
  
• Queer History/Awareness Month - October
  Educate your classmates with a Queer History Quiz between lectures and have them compete for a prize every week. Choose your questions wisely and educate your classmates on both Queer Culture and LGBT Health Concerns at the same time.
  
  *Encourage other student organizations at your school to celebrate their month with similar trivia quizzes and request the inclusion of LGBT people in their questions! For example, reach out to African-American (SNMA), Latino (LMSA), Asian (APAMSA), and Women's (WMSA) medical student organizations.
  
  Gay History & Literature
  GLHS Gay & Lesbian Health Services
  People With a History: Guide to LGBT History
  
  
• National Coming Out Day - October 11 (project of HRC)
  Educate your classmates about the lives of LGBT people, dispel the myths and misconceptions, and help LGBT people live fuller lives by celebrating "Coming Out" (started by activists who believe LGBT people need to be visible and that equality cannot be achieved from inside the closet). Take this opportunity to educate your classmates on what physicians ought to know about LGBT Health Concerns and how physicians can help their LGBT patients come out to them with comfort.
  
  Resource
  Action Kits
  Resource Guide
  Resource Guide In Spanish
  
  *HRC is America's largest Gay and Lesbian organization. The Human Rights Campaign provides a national voice on gay and lesbian issues by effectively lobbying Congress, mobilizing grassroots action in diverse communities, and increasing public understanding through education.
  
  
• National Day of Silence - April 10 (project of GLSEN)
  Stay silent for a day to demonstrate how the needs of LGBT people have gone unheard for so long, by wearing black and handing out "Day of Silence" cards (see resource link). Include a few Health Concerns of the LGBT Community on the back of your cards to educate your classmates at the same time that you take a stand against silence.
  
  Resource
  Action Kits
  
  *GLSEN (pronounced "glisten") is the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network, the largest national network of parents, students, and educators fighting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression in K-12 schools.
  
  
• Cultural Film Festival -
  Educate your classmates while you entertain them with the latest from the Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. This event is a great co-sponsorship opportunity, so that you can connect with other minority and cultural student organizations at your school. For example, reach out to SNMA, LMSA, APAMSA, and WMSA. By pooling resources and participants, you will reach a wider audience and create a celebration of diversity on your campus!
  
  Film Festival Listing TLA Gay Films
  San Francisco
  New York
  Philadelphia
  SoCal
  
  
• National Freedom to Marry Day - February 12
  Help raise awareness on your campus about the challenges same-sex couples face without the protection of civil unions. Focus on the impact on medical care that the lack of legal protection for gay and lesbian couples has. Top the event off by baking a huge wedding cake adorned with a same-sex couple statuette and celebrate this call for equality!
  
  Marriage Equality
  Lambda Legal