Sarah Toce
The LGBTQIA+ community experiences more barriers to healthcare than non-LGBTQIA+ individuals. With 15 percent of LGBTQIA+ Americans reporting postponing or avoiding medical treatment due to discrimination, there is work to be done to make accessing equitable and quality healthcare possible.
Seattle Pride has awarded its latest community grant of $2,000 to Swedish Medical Center in support of its Fourth Annual LGBTQI+ Health Symposium to help address the issue of equitable healthcare.
“Seattle Pride aims to support organizations which are doing the work to help our LGBTQIA+ community achieve equality – which includes equal access to healthcare and health services – through our community grant and sponsorship programs,” said Seattle Pride Executive Director Krystal Marx. “We’re excited to work with organizations like Swedish Medical Center to help the LGBTQIA+ community through their areas of expertise and focus.”
The event, scheduled for April 9, 2021, will focus on healthcare for the intersex population. The conference aims to enhance the ability for healthcare providers to provide medical care for the intersex community. By discussing collaborative care approaches for patients with variations of sex development, Swedish Medical Center hopes to improve health outcomes as well as the healthcare experiences of intersex individuals.
“Swedish is grateful for Seattle Pride’s grant to support our fourth annual LGBTQI+ Medical Education Conference. The additional funds provided by Seattle Pride will help Swedish continue to offer LGBTQI+ health education to a broader, national audience especially as we move towards virtual platforms. This year’s conference will focus on our intersex community or those born with variations in sexual development to help reduce barriers to healthcare and provide equitable care for all individuals,” stated Michelle Eng, manager, Swedish Continuing Medical Education Program.
“This symposium is part of Swedish’s LGBTQI+ Initiative to provide comprehensive care and develop recommendations to ensure health access to our LGBTQI+ community, and aligns with Swedish’s mission and values to improve the well-being of each person we serve and demonstrate dignity and respect for all individuals,” End added.
For more information about the Fourth Annual LGBTQIA+ Health Symposium, please visit Swedish Medical Center’s website.
For a complete list of Seattle Pride grants by year, visit SeattlePride.org.
Seattle Out & Proud/Seattle Pride is a 501c(4) not-for-profit organization which produces the Seattle Pride Parade, Seattle Pride in the Park and other pride-related events and promotions, as well as year-round statewide advocacy in support of diversity, inclusivity and equal human rights for all.
The Seattle Out & Proud Foundation is Seattle Pride’s 501c(3) non-profit foundation which provides grants and sponsorship support to community-based LGBTQIA+ organizations statewide, educates members of the public about the LGBTQIA+ community and the rights of its members, to eliminate discrimination against and further the civil rights of members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and to connect, inspire and strengthen the LGBTQIA+ community by promoting the arts and supporting leadership development.
