There’s not enough focus on the challenges LGBTQ Southerners face in accessing healthcare. There’s not enough quantitative data about these experiences or enough understanding about what LGBTQ Southerners experience around their health. There’s not enough energy and funding being invested in addressing the barriers LGBTQ Southerners face in the healthcare system and creating new models that help people lead healthy, thriving lives.
There’s not enough of any of this critical health advocacy work happening in the South right now – but there should be, and there can be. And now, thanks to generous donors this year, we’re a little bit closer to working toward equity for LGBTQ Southerners.
For the past year the Campaign for Southern Equality and Western North Carolina Community Health Services (WNCCHS) have spearheaded the Southern LGBTQ Health Initiative, an effort to expand access to LGBTQ-friendly primary care, HIV care, and support services at Southern community health centers.
Earlier this year a generous donor pledged to double every dollar we raise toward our health work, up to $25,000 – and this week, we met the goal! Thanks to the many donors who made contributions this year, we have $50,000 to put toward the Southern LGBTQ Health Initiative.
The money will go directly toward shining a light on the challenges LGBTQ Southerners face with regard to their health, shaping recommendations for how healthcare providers can improve, and filling in the urgent gaps with resources like our Trans in the South guide.
We’re already seeing the impact of the Southern LGBTQ Health Initiative. So far we’ve:
- Published a groundbreaking report based on a series of focus groups about trans and nonbinary Southerners’ healthcare experiences;
- Collected thousands of responses to the first-of-its-kind Southern LGBTQ Health Survey;
- Led free clinics about name changes and transgender safety issues at WNCCHS, learning about how to bring these vital services into healthcare settings;
- Trained hundreds of Southern direct service providers – from social workers to medical students – in NC and SC on transgender issues;
- And spread the word in the press about the need for greater understanding of trans Southerners’ health needs.
We’re grateful for the generous donor who proposed this challenge match – and all of the donors who helped us cross the finish line. Thank you!
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