Celebrating Pride Month with Michigan Medicine: Inspiring health equity and inclusion

Approximately a 3-minute read.

Key takeaways:

• Michigan Medicine is hosting its inaugural Pride Month Keynote and Celebration on June 8, featuring José Bauermeister, Ph.D., M.P.H., who will discuss strategies for disrupting healthcare barriers for LGBTQ+ communities and advancing health equity.
• The Office of Patient Experience and Comprehensive Gender Services Program will represent Michigan Medicine at Ypsi Pride, while the Office for Health Equity and Inclusion will sponsor Ann Arbor Pride, reinforcing Michigan Medicine’s commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion and health equity.
• The LGBTQ+ Health Advisory Committee at Michigan Medicine seeks to make the Pride Month Keynote and Celebration an annual event, encouraging staff and faculty to create affirming spaces that promote the health and well-being of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

As we prepare to welcome Pride Month, Michigan Medicine is excited to announce a series of events and initiatives that not only celebrate our diverse community but also continue our commitment to health equity and inclusion.

On June 8, the LGBTQ+ Health Advisory Committee will host the inaugural Pride Month Keynote and Celebration. José Bauermeister, Ph.D., M.P.H., founding faculty director of the Eidos LGBTQ+ Health Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania, will be the keynote speaker for this monumental event.

During his 60-minute presentation, Bauermeister will delve into the current state-of-the-science in LGBTQ+ health, offering strategic insights to disrupt health care barriers for LGBTQ+ communities. The goal is to propel multisectoral collaborations to advance health equity in society.

The event will conclude with a short reception, offering an opportunity for attendees to network and share their experiences. Space is limited, so register soon. If the event fills up, a Zoom link will be made available. 

The LGBTQ+ Health Advisory Committee envisions this as an annual event, inspiring staff and faculty at Michigan Medicine to create enduring and affirming spaces promoting the health and well-being of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. If you are interested in becoming part of this transformative committee, contact lgbtqmichmed@umich.edu.

Out in the community

Michigan Medicine will also have a strong presence at local Pride celebrations in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor. The Office of Patient Experience (OPE) and Comprehensive Gender Services Program (CGSP) will host a table at Ypsi Pride. This vibrant community event features a street festival with live music, food vendors and local businesses supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Come by the table on June 2 from 4 – 10 p.m. in Depot Town to learn more about the services offered and how our teams are making health care more inclusive.

Additionally, the Office for Health Equity and Inclusion (OHEI) and the Office of Patient Experience (OPE) is proud to sponsor Ann Arbor Pride, Ann Arbor’s annual pride celebration. Ann Arbor Pride is on Aug. 5 in downtown Ann Arbor featuring a day-long festival with a variety of activities, entertainment and resources that highlight and celebrate the diversity of our community. We encourage everyone to join us in this celebration of love, acceptance and pride.

Through these events, Michigan Medicine reiterates its commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and the broader mission of health equity and inclusion. We invite all community members to join us in celebrating Pride Month, recognizing the progress made and working together for a more inclusive future.

Happy Pride Month to all!

Click here for a Pride Month Zoom background!