Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Data Collection in Clinical Settings, available On-Demand @

http://www.albany.edu/sph/cphce/esphtc_lgbt_event.shtml

(visit site and look under useful links – watch on demand)

Presenter: Harvey Makadon, MD
Director, National LGBT Health Education Center at the Fenway Institute

This presentation will highlight the rationale for and how to collect sexual orientation and gender identity data in clinical settings. Current data collection practices in most clinical settings do not include questions about sexual orientation or gender identity. The call for LGBT data collection in clinical settings is coming from national stakeholders including the Department of Health & Human Service and the Joint Commission, and has been highlighted in a report released by The Institute of Medicine in 2011 entitled, The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding.

Continuing Education Credits

The School of Public Health, University at Albany is an approved provider of continuing nurse education by the Massachusetts Association of Registered Nurses, Inc., an accredited approver by the American Nurse Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

This activity provides 1.5 hours of nurse continuing education.

School of Public Health, University at Albany is accredited by the MSSNY to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. The School designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s).™ Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This activity is sponsored by the School of Public Health, University at Albany, SUNY, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for the CHES to receive 1.5 Category 1 CECH in health education.

Continuing education credits will be available until March 2016.

The planners and presenters do not have any financial arrangements or affiliations with any commercial entities whose products, research or services may be discussed in this activity.

No commercial funding has been accepted for this activity.

This event is brought to you by the following sponsors:

Dear Community Member,

In 2012, Rainbow Access Initiative (RAI) continued to thrive because of the dedication of the Board of Directors and volunteers.  Oftentimes, when folks learn about RAI and find out we are a small grass-root Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender non-profit with no paid staff they are often surprised at how much we can accomplish with such limited resources, and this year was no exception.

Context

If this is your first exposure to RAI, it is important to know we are the only LGBT–specific organization serving the capital district of New York State (Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga & Schenectady Counties) focused solely on the development of LGBT inclusive & specific health care and human services.  Our mission is to ensure the LGBT community in the capital district has access to culturally competent and compassionate health care and human services.

We work to achieve this mission through a two-tier approach: one focused on reaching out and engaging with health care and human service providers and organizations, the other to engage and empower LGBT individuals, their families and the community at large.

2012

January – The Board of Directors and a cast of volunteers chose to kick the year off with a bang, and we hosted our first ever Beach Party.  Oftentimes, the winter months just following the holiday excitement can be cold, dark and difficult.  So, we decided to face Mother Nature with a hot and comical beach party hosted by Rocks in downtown Albany.  The event featured drag performances, local comics and giveaways including a three night stay at the Cherry Grove Beach hotel on Fire Island, NY.  The generosity of the attendees and the community at large made this our first successful fundraiser of the year.

February – Some of you may know Rainbow Access Initiative is a member of the NYS LGBT Health & Human Service Network which is a program of the Empire State Pride Agenda.  The RAI Board of Directors takes this membership very seriously and as such, Board President Chad Putman is an active member of the Network Health Committee.  This committee is responsible for the development of LGBT Health Month in NYS which is an annual initiative that occurs in March.  Twenty-Twelve marked our second annual initiative and that kicked off in late February with great fan-fair at the NYS Capital thanks to the organization of our Board President.  This year featured a press conference, news coverage, Senate & Assembly Resolutions of Support, and remarks by NYS Senator Neil Breslin and the National Coalition for LGBT Health’s Executive Director, Hutson Inniss.

March – The RAI Board of Directors and volunteers worked hard over a six month period of time to put together our first ever Art of Health event.  This was a full day extravaganza which took place in early March at the Schenectady Light Opera Company in Schenectady, NY.  The event featured our 2^nd annual LGBTQ Health & Wellness Expo complete with breakout sessions focused on topics like alternative therapies, drawing and creative arts, the art of drag, educational theater and poetry.  The daytime event featured lunch with special guest and author, Marc Renson, an openly gay entrepreneur and owner of Ambitions Café on Jay St.

The Art of Health evening event was a step beyond your average awards dinner and featured a live variety show with comedy, dance, theatrical performances, along with several melodies by the Albany Gay Men’s Chorus.  Intermixed with the performances and live auction the RAI Board of Directors awarded local talent for making a splash in the performance arts in a way that has benefited the health and wellness of the LGBT community here in the capital district.

RAI Access Award recipients were as follows: Albany High School Theatre Ensemble for the Laramie Project (Ward Dales – Theatre Arts Instructor & Fiona Thompson), Proctors for QFEST which is an annual LGBT film festival held at the GE theater in Proctors and is organized by Joey Hunziker, and lastly to our favorite drag queens, Carmie Hope (Steven Homes) – Frieda Munchon (David Bagnardi) & Whiskey Sour (Kevin Bruce) for their dedication to LGBT health through performance and volunteerism.

RAI paid special recognition to the cast and crew of Homo Radio (WRPI/91.5 FM) with the Bobbi Williams Access Award.  This pioneering show which focuses on the LGBT community recently celebrated 20 years on the air in February, 2012.  At the time of the award, the Homo Radio cast and crew included Co-Producers Sean McLaughlin and Dr. Ray H. Werking Jr., Ryan Smith – Community Calendar Editor, Tim Ruppert – Program Assistant, Joe Galu – News Writer, and Co-Hosts Ulysses de Armes, Dave Leybig, and Kathy Breda.

The Trevor Project – Thanks to a multi-year agreement with The Trevor Project, RAI and Trevor volunteers were delighted to bring the lifesaving resources of the Trevor Project to the youth of the First Unitarian Society of Schenectady in late March.  The Lifeguard Workshops, developed to prevent suicide among LGBTQ youth, were offered to junior and senior high school students and were followed by a panel discussion on LGBT bullying for the full congregation.

April – Spring is often a time when RAI and Trevor volunteers are able to facilitate a number of Lifeguard Workshops in area schools, and this year was no exception.  We were delighted to be welcomed back to Mohonasen High School for their annual Day of Silence event and to facilitate a series of Lifeguard workshops for over 100 youth.  This year also featured a special performance by Josh Rivadel (playwright, songwriter and actor) of “The Gospel According to Josh”.  A one-man show featuring multiple characters and songs, this play chronicles Josh’s battle with depression and suicide after losing his grandfather and father to suicide.

April was rounded out with an article in the Schenectady Gazette which featured RAI’s “My (LGBTQ) Healthcare Story Matters” project.  The article focused on a local Transgender community member and her struggle accessing competent and compassionate health care and human services in the capital district.  This project was launched over a year ago and features videos and stories in print about the experiences of LGBT people engaging with health and human service providers in our area (www.RAI-Health.org)

June – Pride month.  RAI Board members and volunteers always make it a point to participate in this annual celebration of the LGBT civil rights movement.  This year, RAI tabled at Capital Pride in Albany and also marched in the annual gay pride parade featuring our work with the Trevor Project and the Human Rights Campaign – Healthcare Equality Index.  In fact, we closed out June with our 2^nd annual Motorcycle Ride for LGBT Healthcare Equality with nearly a dozen riders and stops at Ellis Medicine, Albany Medical Center and Saratoga Hospital.  This year’s ride was extra special when we were greeted by over 25 employees at Saratoga Hospital which was an incredible experience for all.

September – RAI Board member, Katie Moskal and Board President, Chad Putman participated in the annual Schenectady County Triathlon to promote LGBT health care in the capital district.  Katie and Chad both finished their first ever “triathlon” which featured a seven mile bike ride, three mile run and two laps around a small lake in Scotia in a kayak.  The event raised some funds for RAI but also helped RAI to reach the larger community regarding our work.

October – Aside from gearing up for the release of the 2013 Healthcare Equality Index survey, RAI hosted a special performance of the “Fabulous Darshan” at the Schenectady Light Opera Company which featured the playwright and NYC cast for a live reading.  The event was a success thanks to the promotional help from our friends at Homo Radio with weekly announcements and an appearance by RAI Board President, Chad Putman.

November – Featured the release of the Human Rights Campaign – Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) 2013 survey which is a nationally recognized tool utilized by RAI to promote best practices in LGBT patient care.  RAI is committed to securing participation in the HEI 2013 by one or more of the major medical centers in the capital district.  Currently, of the 400 medical centers that participate in the HEI across the nation (15 of which in New York State), none serve the capital district.

November was also a month RAI Board President, Chad Putman was able to participate in the annual meeting of the National Coalition for LGBT Health for which RAI has been a long standing member.  This year, Mr. Putman was part of a panel focused on LGBT Health & Wellness and explored the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as ObamaCare, on LGBT individuals and families across the country and right here in New York State.  This panel and related discussions at the annual meeting led to the development of a committee focused on LGBT community engagement and empowerment as the ACA roles out toward full implementation in 2014.  Mr. Putman has taken an active role on this committee and is optimistic the ACA will play a crucial role to address health disparities experienced by the LGBT community through health insurance enrollment and anti-discrimination provisions found in the ACA.

December – A month for reflection and looking ahead…

Twenty-Twelve has truly been a banner year for RAI with many of the highlights noted above.  Many of the events noted have been made possible by funding received through RAI’s participation in the NYS LGBT Health & Human Service Network, more specifically Senate funding which was allocated to RAI back in 2011.  Unfortunately, this funding is all but dried up and has left RAI completely dependent of fundraised dollars.  However, RAI is hopeful that an application for state funding will come through in 2013 in the form of a 5 year grant specifically set aside in the Governor’s 2012 budget to develop LGBT health care and human services in NYS.  Either way, the mission and work of RAI will continue on because this work is too important to walk away from at this crucial time.

The Board of Directors – Rainbow Access Initiative is as strong, vibrant and engaged as those who run it.  The community at large and RAI has benefited from the dedication of Board members like Kiera Griffiths (Finance Committee Co-Chair) and Katie Moskal (former Vice President).  These two individuals have served the board and the organization for a number of years and will be deeply missed as they move on to a new and exciting chapter.  RAI is grateful to have the ongoing support of Board Members Andy Little and Jenna Zirbel who have remained dedicated even after a big move to North Carolina in 2012.  RAI hopes to have Steve Hendrickson back in 2013 after a personal leave of absence.  RAI is also grateful and would like to welcome new members Jonny Puglia (Trevor volunteer extraordinaire) and James Taft who joined the Board of Directors in November.

RAI is always looking for new talent and passion in the form of board members and volunteers.  If you would like to become involved with Rainbow Access Initiative or would like to learn more about our work, please visit www.RainbowAccess.org, “like” us on Facebook at “Rainbow Access Initiative” and contact Board President, Chad Putman at 518-225-0957 or by emailing ChadPutman@RainbowAccess.org

RAI is a 501 c/3 and donations are always appreciated and can be mailed to RAI, P.O. Box 9144, Niskayuna, NY 12309.

-Thank You!

With warm regards,

Chad Putman, LMSW

Be Fabulous and get your tickets to be on the Honorary Committee for this Fabulous event today!

You can purchase either 10 tickets for $10 each (total- $100) or 2 tickets for $25 each (total $50) to benefit Rainbow Access Initiative and the Schenectady Light Opera Company.

Email chadputman@rainbowaccess.org or call 518-225-0957 to get yours by Saturday, October 6.

Hi folks,

Hoping everyone had an opportunity to enjoy this past summer.  As we begin to head back to school, close up the summer camps and prepare for the beautiful fall season ahead…Rainbow Access Initiative wants to remind you that Fall can be just as Fabulous as summer!  Well maybe half as Fabulous?

Anyhow, fall tends to be the busy season for the work of RAI as we attend retreats, host workshops and trainings and organize events.  This year is no exception.  Presently we have two events on the calendar we would like send your way.

(1) On September 22, Rainbow Access Initiative board members will participate in a community triathlon taking place in Schenectady County.  Our goal is to promote LGBT health awareness while participating in healthy activities ourselves.  Visit our event page on Facebook to learn more.  You can also donate ($5, $10, and/or $20 etc.) in support of our effort online by visiting this link.

(2) On Saturday, October 27 Rainbow Access Initiative in collaboration with the Schenectady Light Opera Company (SLOC) will be bringing New York City theater to SLOC for one night only.  The writer/director (Robert Stewart) and cast of Fabulous Darshan will be doing a live reading of this multi-cultural, multi-generational, universally inspirational gay themed play.  For just $15, tickets include theater admission along with a post event, Q & A and meet & greet with the writer/director and cast.  Wine, coffee and delightful treats will be available.  The evenings events kick off at 7pm.

So, fall is what?  Fall is Fabulous!  Click on this link for event flyer highlighting both events.  To learn more, to get tickets or if you have questions please contact Chad Putman at 518-225-0957 or chadputman@rainbowaccess.org

The National Coalition for LGBT Health Hails Supreme Court’s ACA Decision

U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Affordable Care Act – Preserves Efforts to Improve the Health of LGBT Communities   WASHINGTON — Today the Supreme Court, in 5-4 decision, voted to uphold the key ACA provisions, limiting only the federal government to terminate states’ Medicaid funding. This decision is a huge victory for LGBT communities.   Today the United States Supreme Court delivered a huge victory to nationwide efforts to establish a health care system that works for everyone, including LGBT communities and the 1.2 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. By upholding the Affordable Care Act (ACA), today’s decision delivers on the promise of health care for more than 30 million uninsured Americans.

“Today’s ruling upholds critical protections for LGBT people and their families. We celebrate this ruling and the benefits it will have in improving access to quality, affordable health care for LGBT people without discrimination. There is no doubt that this law will hugely benefit LGBT people in the coming years.” Hutson W. Inniss, Executive Director of the National Coalition for LGBT Health said following the announcement.   This is an important victory for LGBT people and their families. The law addresses many of the most pressing problems impacting the health of LGBT people and their access to quality care, including financial barriers to insurance coverage and to preventive health care, and discrimination in the insurance market and by health care providers.   The preservation of the ACA is the best possible outcome for LGBT communities. According to Secretary Sebelius,LGBT people “face numerous barriers to health—from providers who don’t understand their unique health needs to difficulty getting health insurance because they can’t get coverage through a partner or spouse. And unfortunately, throughout our country many LGBT individuals still face discrimination and bigotry in the health care system.” Fortunately, she notes, “the Affordable Care Act may represent the strongest foundation we have ever created to begin closing LGBT health disparities.”

The law for the first time prohibits gender-based discrimination by most health care providers – a ban that extends to discrimination based on gender identity and gender stereotypes, and thus provides critical protection for LGBT people. The law will also prohibit insurers from denying or canceling insurance because a person is transgender or has HIV or another medical condition. It will provide premium credits and expanded Medicaid eligibility to enable many individuals and families to obtain insurance for the first time. The law requires plans to cover a range of key services, and prohibits co-pays for many routine tests and other preventive care. The law includes several provisions that can improve the health and well-being of LGBT older adults, such as strengthening Medicare, expanding Medicaid, improving community long-term services and supports, and providing additional elder abuse and nursing home transparency protections. And the law has tremendous potential to impact the fight against HIV/AIDS by expanding access to testing and treatment and supportive community prevention efforts.

“The law is a milestone achievement in the long pursuit of LGBT health equity. We applaud the Court’s ruling and we will continue working with HHSto address LGBT health inequitiesas the law is fully implemented”, said Inniss.   The National Coalition for LGBT Health, representing over 85 organizations serving LGBT communities across the country, is committed to ensuring all LGBT people have equal access to affordable, quality, and culturally competent healthcare.

For more on the National Coalition for LGBT Health visit: http://lgbthealth.webolutionary.com/

HRC Report: 2012 Sees Great Progress Toward LGBT Healthcare Equality

Once invisible issue gains national prominence yet many LGBT Americans face obstacles to healthcare

06/19/2012

Washington – The number of American hospitals striving to treat lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) patients equally and respectfully is on the rise, according to a report released today by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation at a press conference with U.S. Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC. Much work remains to be done to end discrimination in America’s healthcare system, but the once invisible issue of LGBT healthcare equity is gaining national prominence, with healthcare facilities committing themselves to offering unbiased care.

“Just a few short years ago the healthcare industry wasn’t having conversations about LGBT healthcare equality,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Now, thanks to advocacy by the LGBT community and some standout leaders, growing numbers of healthcare providers are making an explicit commitment to treat all patients with dignity and respect. The healthcare industry is beginning to heed the call for fairness and compassion.”

The report details the results of the most recent Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), an annual survey administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. This year’s survey found a 40 percent increase in rated facilities, which totaled 407 nationwide. It also found an impressive 162 percent increase in the number of facilities achieving the status of “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality,” special recognition given to facilities earning a perfect rating by meeting four core criteria for LGBT patient-centered care laid out in the HEI.

The HEI helps hospitals assess themselves against established best practices and ensure that they are complying with requirements for non-discrimination. These include a requirement issued last year by The Joint Commission, the largest accrediting body for U.S. hospitals, calling on all accredited facilities to extend non-discrimination protection to LGBT patients.

Over 90 percent of HEI 2012 participants explicitly prohibit discrimination against lesbian, gay and bisexual patients, and 76 percent ban discrimination against transgender patients. Additionally, about 75 percent of respondents have a written policy explicitly granting equal visitation rights to same-sex couples and same-sex parents. This represents a significant increase since the Department of Health and Human Services issued rules in 2011 requiring all hospitals that receive federal Medicare and Medicaid funding – nearly every hospital in America – to protect the visitation rights of LGBT people.

For the first time, the HEI additionally required participating facilities to document that high-level managers in key work areas had received expert training in LGBT health needs. As a result, more than 1,000 healthcare administrators across the country participated in training provided through the HEI.

“I commend the LGBT and healthcare communities for the progress made and I am proud to be part of an administration that has a historic record of accomplishment for the LGBT community,” said Sec. Sebelius. “We will continue to take action to ensure that LGBT Americans get equal treatment in healthcare settings and that all patients are treated with the dignity they deserve.”

Studies, including a 2011 Institute of Medicine report, have shown that the LGBT community faces health disparities and healthcare discrimination and that many LGBT Americans are concerned about experiencing bias in healthcare. But things are changing, as the HEI 2012 documents.

“Equal and inclusive healthcare saves lives,” added Griffin. “Increasing numbers of hospitals across the country are working to ensure LGBT patients receive care free of prejudice and discrimination. We thank the HEI 2012 participants for their hard work and dedication to ensuring healthcare equality for all patients.”

http://www.hrc.org/press-releases/entry/hrc-report-2012-sees-great-progress-toward-lgbt-healthcare-equality

GLMA’s Webinar Series: Quality Healthcare for LGBT People Part 1: Understanding the Health Needs of LGBT People: An Introduction Tuesday, June 19, 2012 3:30 – 5:00pm EST Click Here to RSVP (Space is Limited)
Join us for Part 1 of the series, Quality Healthcare for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender People, as we explore the unique health needs of LGBT people. During this introduction to LGBT health, presenters Jason Schneider, MD, and Gal Mayer, MD, will provide an overview of associated terminology and concepts, describe social issues that impact the health and well-being of LGBT people and discuss specific clinical considerations for LGBT people. The webinar content has broad relevance to clinicians, administrators, researchers and academics alike.
This webinar series is a project of GLMA in collaboration with the Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Please click here for more information about the series.

Register for our Webinar on Transgender Health

Please join us for a Healthy People 2020 Webinar, entitled “A Spotlight on LGBT Health: Transgender Health Issues,” on Tuesday, May 8 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. EDT. Learn more about the new LGBT topic area, gender identity and development, and transgender health.  Register here!

The Rainbow Access Initiative (RAI) Board of Directors would like to invite you to our first ever OPEN House!

Join us on Wednesday, April 25 from 6 – 8 pm.  The RAI office is located at 1583 Union Street in Schenectady, NY.  Food & drinks provided…see event flyer for more information.

Event Flyer

Fenway Launches LGBT Health Education Web Site During National LGBT Health Awareness Week

The National Coalition for LGBT Health & Rainbow Access Initiative, Inc. Launch

“LGBT Health Story”

as a part of 2012 LGBT Health Awareness Week

 
LGBT Health Awareness Week is a nationwide event that runs March 26-30 and calls on local communities to learn more about LGBT health and to participate in promoting health and well-being for all of their members, including LGBT people
 
The National Coalition for LGBT Health, Rainbow Access Initiative, Inc. and partners have launched “LGBT Health Story”, found online at lgbthealthstory.wordpress.com. This is a national initiative to collect personal healthcare stories, told in the first-person on video and in-print by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) healthcare consumers. 
 
The goal of the project is to encourage the LGBT community to respond to the following call to action –
 
Everyone has a healthcare story and we want to hear yours.  Need a topic to get you started? 
 
-  Tell us how federal healthcare reform (the Affordable Care Act) has or how it will impact you? 
-  Tell us about a recent encounter—good or bad— that you had with a healthcare provider.
-  Do you have health needs that are not being met by the current health care system? 
-  How would you know if your healthcare provider was LGBT culturally competent?
 
Come out for LGBT health by visiting LGBTHealthStory.wordpress.com and share your healthcare story today!

The National Coalition for LGBT Health leads two major DC events in commemoration of National LGBT Health Awareness Week.
 
Tuesday, March 27, 1:00-2:00 pm EST: The Coalition, with CenterLink* and the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA)*, will sponsor a conference call with Health Resources Services Administrator Dr. Mary Wakerfield on Tuesday, March 27 at 1:00 p.m. EDT. Dr. Wakefield will offer a few brief opening remarks and will then take questions from callers. All are welcome to participate.  No RSVP is required.
To join the call, please call (530) 881-1300 – Access Code: 818207
 
Wednesday, March 28: The Coalition – in partnership with the Family Equality Council, Center for American Progress, Human Rights Campaign (HRC)* and GLMA – will hold Congressional briefings on the health and well-being of LGBT Families on Wednesday, March 28. The Senate-side briefing is scheduled at 11 am and the House-side briefing at 2 pm.  The briefing will be led by a panel composed of M. V. Lee Badgett, Research Director, The Williams Institiute; Desi Bailey, MD, Hospital Chief of Staff at Group Health Cooperative, and GLMA President; Joseph Jefferson, Senior Policy Associate, The National Coalition for LGBT Health; Emily Hecht-McGowan, Director of Public Policy, Family Equality Council; Naz Meftah; and Brian Moulton, Legal Director, Human Rights Campaign.  Please contact Senior Policy Associate Joseph Jefferson for more information about these events.

Click here for briefing background and details. (Reservations are not required, so please feel free to attend one or both briefings.)

RSVP now for “Learn Your Power: How the Affordable Care Act Helps LGBT Americans”: a discussion on how the health care reform law benefits the LGBT community.
 
On Thursday, 3/22,  The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force* and the Center for American Progress are marking the second anniversary of the federal health care reform law by spotlighting its impact on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and their families. The groups are holding a March 22 webinar, Learn Your Power: How the Affordable Care Act Helps LGBT Americans, with representatives from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and One Colorado, Colorado’s statewide LGBT equality organization, to address this critical issue.
 
Please join Mayra Alvarez, Director of Public Health Policy in the Office of Health Reform at HHS; Darlene Nipper, Deputy Executive Director at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; Kellan Baker, Health Policy Analyst at the Center for American Progress; and Brad Clark, Executive Director at One Colorado, to discuss how the LGBT community can best utilize the benefits offered by the new health care reform law.

WHEN:
Thursday, March 22, 2012
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT
 
RSVP:
Please register for the free webinar here.

*  Members of The National Coalition for LGBT Health

Dignity for All Students Act webinar has been posted to the Dignity web site at:
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/dignityact/

Hawk Stone spoke elequently about Transgender healthcare needs at the February 28 press conference which kicked-off LGBT Health Month in NYS. Hawk.Press.2012.HealthMth

Hutson Inniss, the Executive Director of the National Coalition for LGBT Health also spoke at the above noted press conference relating the Coalitions work on the national level to the kick off of LGBT Health Month in NYS. Hutson.remarks.Press.12

Visit NY LGBT Health Month on Facebook for more information on March 2012 events and updates.

Rainbow Access Initiative is delighted to have local restaurants on hand for the Art of Health on March 3 at the Schenectady Light Opera Company.  If you planning on attending the Art of Health – Day Program featuring lunch and creative health breakouts you can expect to have your afternoon hunger satisfied by Ambition cafe.  A local favorite on Jay St in Schenectady, Marc Renson (owner/chef) will be on hand with some of his signature sandwiches and for a Q&A on his new book entitled, “Is the Coffee Fresh”.

Wether you’re a champ and participate in the days long festivities or come out for the Art of Health – Evening Program itself, you won’t be disappointed.  The RAI Bistro kicks off at 6pm featuring New Orleans style  cuisine by Cafe Nola.  Located on lower Union Street in Schenectady, Kevin Warren (owner/chef) will have a delightful dinner buffet for attendees featuring blackened catfish & chicken, jambalaya, gator bites and vegetarian pasta (to name a few dishes).

Email RAI.Health@gmail.com or call 518-225-0957 today to get your tickets.

See Art of Health Event & Update Tab for more information. 

Secure your ticket today by emailing RAI.Health@gmail.com

December 31, 2011

 Regarding: Year in review & sneak-peak at 2012

Twenty-eleven has proven itself to be a remarkable year of progress for the gay-rights movement.  The headlines have read: gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military, anti-bullying initiatives take shape in the wake of youth suicides, and marriage equality becomes law in New York State. 

 Other major achievements receiving less press with a direct impact on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) health include the March 2011 report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) entitled, The Health of LGBT People: Building a foundation for better understanding, which highlighted the absence of research data on LGBT health.  This report inspired action by both the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Joint Commission.  Thus in the coming year, the National Health Survey will collect data for the first time on sexual orientation and soon gender identity and expression.  Following suit, the Commission released a road map for hospitals in 2011 entitled Advancing Effective Communication, Cultural Competence, and Patient- and Family-Centered Care for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community.

 These achievements have set the stage for what can be a remarkable decade ahead for LGBT individuals and families across the nation and right here in New York State.  But with any progress, persistence remains vital.  In order to avoid losing precious momentum the LGBT community, allies and leaders must remain diligent and united to ensure our rightful place at the American table.

As such, the responsibility of RAI is to ensure the LGBT community here in the Capital Region is connected to and benefits from the progress made on both the national and state level specific to LGBT health and wellness.  With that said, it is with great pride that we share with you the accomplishments and ongoing efforts the dedicated cast of volunteers has achieved on behalf of RAI in 2011.

 Organizational Development

 Twenty-eleven has provided an opportunity for RAI to further define and develop the structure of the organization as we prepare to celebrate our ninth anniversary in April, 2012.  Historically, RAI has primarily existed to provide cultural competency trainings and materials for consumers and providers specific to LGBT health and wellness.  Although this remains a core component of the work of RAI, our breadth of outreach is more fully defined as advocacy, education, research and service.  As a grass-root charitable organization with no paid staff and an annual budget currently dependent on fundraised dollars, our future will be defined by our ability to secure grant funding and enhance the professional development of the four key areas noted above.

 The Board of Directors responsible for the oversight and operation of RAI has remained solid in 2011 with some changes in leadership and the exit and entrance of board members.  This past year we extended our sincerest gratitude to those stepping down from the board for their dedication and service including Alfredo Rivera, Atreyu Luna, Jennifer Storm, and Rachel Breidster.  We also welcomed with great excitement and anticipation the addition of Kiera Griffiths, Steve Hendrickson, Jeani Minick and Alejandro Taylor to the board.

 Advocacy

 RAI remains dedicated to our membership and participation within the National Coalition for LGBT Health and the NYS LGBT Health and Human Service Network.  In March, 2011 as a member of the Network Health Committee RAI was a proud participant in the first annual LGBT Health Month kick-off event held at the NYS Capital which included a press conference and the presentation of a NYS Senate Resolution in support of LGBT Health Month in NYS.  New York State is the only state in the nation to have an entire month dedicated to LGBT Health, and we welcome your participation in NYS LGBT Health Month, 2012 (Taking PRIDE in our Health).

 On the national level, RAI participated in the annual meeting of the National Coalition for LGBT in Washington, D.C.  We were also delighted to be listed within the index of the above noted Joint Commission roadmap after sharing resources and information with a key contact responsible for the development of that publication.

 Locally this past fall, RAI kick-started its push for LGBT healthcare equity through outreach to major medical institutions in the capital district including Albany Medical Center, Ellis Medicine, Saratoga Hospital and St. Peter’s Health Partners.  Utilizing our budding relationship with the Human Rights Campaign – Healthcare Equality Index (HRC-HEI) team – RAI has made inroads with the above noted medical centers in an effort to increase local participation in the HEI.  As such, we will continue this work and include the community in our efforts through our annual Motorcycle Ride for Healthcare Equality to occur in June, 2012.

 Education

 In March, 2011, we hosted our first annual LGBTQ Health and Wellness Expo at the Crowne Plaza in Albany, NY.  This event had over 60 participants and included presentations and experiential breakouts for the mind, body and spirit.  Twenty-twelve will usher in our 2^nd annual LGBTQ Health and Wellness Expo to be held on March 3^rd.  This expo will focus on the Art of Health: How the Arts Inspire Health and Wellness in our Community.  For more information please visit RAI-Health.org and check out the Art of Health event information & update tabs.

 RAI worked closely with Dr. Ralph Liporace in 2011 to update our LGBT healthcare cultural competency tools which will be available and more fully utilized in 2012.  This new set of instructional tools will serve to educate providers and healthcare organizations in the capital district.  Topics will range from LGBT healthcare 101 practices to creating a more welcoming LGBT environment at healthcare facilities.

 As the board President for RAI, I also had the opportunity to present at the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) annual conference and the National Coalition for LGBT Health annual meeting in 2011.  In Atlanta, the GLMA conference provided an opportunity to present on Grass-Root LGBT Medical Clinic Development.  Utilizing the experiences and data from our local clinic development work, the opportunity proved fruitful in developing relationships with leaders in LGBT health.  The National Coalition panel presentation focused on LGBT cultural competency, and our contribution included highlights from the “My LGBTQ Healthcare Story Matters” project we implemented in the summer of 2011.

 Research

 In 2011, RAI built upon the data collected from LGBTQ community members in 2010.   Utilizing this data, we continued our ongoing exploration and collaboration with local organizations to identify and develop LGBT healthcare in the capital region.  In 2011, The Capital District LGBTQ Medical Clinic Coalition, developed and led by RAI, welcomed the AIDS Council of NENY, Upper-Hudson Planned Parenthood and the Albany Damien Center.  RAI facilitated bi-annual meetings of the informal coalition to review data from the community regarding the utilization and need for an LGBT medical clinic in the capital district.  In the year ahead we will likely see a shift in focus from a brick-mortar LGBT clinic development to a network of LGBT healthcare services to better meet the needs of our community.  For more information visit Facebook @ LGBTQ Medical Clinic – Capital District NY.

 Service

 RAI remains committed to identifying opportunities to engage and serve LGBT individuals, families and the community at large.  This past February RAI moved into its first ever office space located on Union Street in Schenectady, NY.  This move has made RAI more accessible with weekly office hours and available meeting space.

 Continuing our ongoing relationship with the Trevor Project, RAI remains the local coordinator for Lifeguard Workshops and the training of volunteers as we strive to extinguish suicide among LGBTQ youth who are four-times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight-peers.  As such, we trained over a half-dozen new Lifeguard Workshop facilitators, promoted the Trevor Project at local events and through available media, and offered workshops for area youth.

 Specific to healthcare, RAI was proud to launch the My LGBTQ Healthcare Story Matters project this past year.  We began to collect healthcare stories on video from LGBTQ healthcare consumers who choose to share stories important to them.  Now available online at http://www.RAI-Health.org, these stories (growing in number) serve our community through empowerment and education.

 In 2011, RAI maintained a strong presence online and through social networking.  RAI’s homepage found at RainbowAccess.org experienced minor changes in format and remains a place where visitors can review and subscribe to the RAI monthly newsletter which is developed by Andy Little (Board Treasurer and webmaster extraordinaire).   Facebook remained an important tool in 2011 where friends and visitors continue to review ongoing events and updates related to our work.  New in 2011, RAI has expanded into the blogging world with a site at RAI-Health.org where you can find news posts related to LGBT health from local and national resources.

 RAI was an active participate at the June, 2011 Pride festivities.  We tabled at the In Our Own Voices – Black and Latino Gay Pride event and at Capital Pride, hosted by the Pride Center of the Capital Region.  Connecting with other local, state-wide and national LGBT specific and inclusive organizations remains key as we work together to meet the needs of our community.  In the new year, this commitment remains true and will usher in RAI’s participation on the NYS Network Council as Board Vice President, Kiera Griffiths takes on new leadership responsibilities.

 Other 2011 noteworthy items…

 Comedy for a Cause fundraiser held at the Albany Comedy Works in July with the one and only Sandy Beach.  A local lesbian comic scheduled to headline our January 2012 Beach Party at Rocks and the Live Variety Show on March 3^rd as part of the Art of Health festivities.

 In November, RAI hosted an LGBT roundtable with Dr. Henry Ng at Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood as part of our LGBT medical clinic development work.  Dr. Ng is President-elect of the GLMA and Clinical Director of the Pride Clinic, Cleveland’s only LGBT medical home.

 RAI board members made multiple appearances on the WRPI (91.5) Homo Radio program in 2011 as we promoted various projects and events.  In 2012, we will be delighted to present the cast and crew of Homo Radio with the Bobbi Williams Access Award for their years of service and commitment to the LGBT community through the art of broadcasting.

 In October, RAI brought the community together for a night of food, entertainment and cheer.  In collaboration with GayAlbanyOnline.com, over 40 friends came together for dinner and drinks at Ambition and the smash Broadway hit, La Cage at Proctors in Schenectady.

 RAI was proud to partner with the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Project affiliated with SUNY Albany’s School of Social Welfare for a series of LGBT trainings offered in 2011.  This March, 2012 RAI will again partner with SOGI and partners to bring the award winning film Gen Silent to Albany as we come together to discuss emerging issues for LGBT seniors.

 In closing…

 On behalf of the board of directors and volunteers, thank you for your ongoing attention and support.  Twenty-eleven was filled with many accomplishments and the starting point of many new beginnings.  We ask for your continued support in the year ahead as we face new challenges and strive to achieve our mission.

 With warm regards,  Chad Putman, LMSW / Board President

Board of Directors

 Kiera Griffiths – Vice President / Andy Little – Treasurer / Jenna Zirbel – Secretary

Katie Moskal / Steve Hendrickson / Jeani Minick / Alejandro Taylor

 Our Mission is to ensure comprehensive physical and mental health care and human services are available to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community and their families in the Capital District of New York.

This article also appeared in the Schenectady Gazette on Friday, December 30, 2012.  As LGBT americans become part of the mainstreet fabric of America, the issues of equity in employment, housing and healthcare will become center stage.

Advocates: More gay-friendly senior housing needed | TheUnion.com.

Keep an eye on RAI as we position ourselves for whats to come.  In the meantime you should also check out this new blog I stumbled across today.  http://www.grayprideparade.com/  Hope to bring the author, Loree Cook-Daniels to the capital region in the near future.

Happy New Year!

Please review this important work the Times Union has put together to both inform and educate the public about the issues faced by our Transgender brothers and sister.

Capital District of NY / World AIDS Day Film Screening

December 1, 2011 / 6 PM – 8 PM

College of Saint Rose / Campus Center, 420 Western Ave, 2nd Floor, Albany, NY

STILL AROUND is a feature-length compilation of 15 short films about surviving & thriving with HIV/AIDS as we mark the 30th anniversary of one of the world’s most substantial health pandemics. It weaves together a diverse slate of powerful stories into an unmatched portrait of courage & hope.

See attached flyer for more info and list of event sponsors…WorldAIDSDay.2011

The Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance
Candlelight Vigil, with a panel of speakers from the community
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany
405 Washington Avenue

Sunday, November 20
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

This day is to memorialize the members of our community who have died in the past year as a result of gender-motivated violence. Allies are especially encouraged to join us in memorializing and celebrating those we have lost and to be reminded that transgender people are your sons, daughters, parents, friends and neighbors.

Please help us spread the word and share the Event Flyer with your friends.

Hope to see you there.

Dear Community,

Its is with great pride and delight I am able to share with you the outcome of an incredible amount of hard work put forth by the Joint Commission and our leaders in LGBT healthcare.  On November 8, the Joint Commission (aka: JCAHO) released “Advancing Communication, Cultural Competence, and patient and Family Centered Care for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender (LGBT) Community”.  This new field guide is a huge step in the direction of equity in healthcare for the LGBT community locally and across the United States.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Joint Commission, they accredit and certify more than 19,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States.  The Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.  Follow link to view the field guide which is now available online at http://www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/18/LGBTFieldGuide.pdf .

We are also pleased to note RAI is listed in the field guide index under “patient, family, & community engagement” having provided resources like the My LGBTQ Healthcare Story Matters project (found on this blog) link  to the team at the Joint Commission as they constructed this tool.

Looking ahead, RAI has every intention to pass along this important tool to providers and medical institutions across the capital region.  Please review and post your own thoughts and comments.

Rainbow Access Initiative is a proud partner of the SOGI Project (Sexual Orientation & Gender Identify Project) and the Center for Eliminating Minority Health Disparities (CEMHD) at SUNY Albany.

The SOGI Project

The Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Project at the University at Albany, School of Social Welfare

The Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Project (SOGI) is an initiative of the School of Social Welfare at the University at Albany. Formed in 2009, the SOGI Project’s goals are to:

• Enhance the clinical skills of graduate students working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer individuals (LGBTQ) clients, and
• Develop educational and campus-wide access for students across disciplines who are interested in LGBTQ studies.

The SOGI Project is in the early stages of developing opportunities for specialized course work and seminars that would allow MSW students to focus on LGBTQ scholarship, social service development, and research within their larger generalist degree program. Additionally, SOGI works in collaboration with The Pride Center of the Capital Region’s Center Support Program offering field placement opportunities for Advanced Standing and Second Year MSW students.

Upcoming Events

Fall Workshop Series

Health Disparities in Sexual Minorities: Along the Life Cycle: A Beginning Conversation
November 7 & 8, 9:30am – 5:00pm / Conference brought to you by the Center for Eliminating Minority Health Disparities at SUNY Albany
Page Hall Auditorium, Downtown Campus of U Albany

Health Disparities is a persistent but preventable problem in New York State. Social Workers, Nurses, Psychologists and Physicians from around the country and Puerto Rico will share their research and clinical wisdom on the issues confronting the mental and physical health of sexual minorities. This conference is deliberately designed for community members, students, faculty and researchers! The keynote speaker is Guthrie Birkhead III, M.D.

Lunch with the presenters is free with registration. You must be pre-registered by November 2, 2011

Visit http://cemhd.eventbrite.com/ for more information and to register for the Conference.

* If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Robert L. Miller, Jr. at rmiller@albany.edu or (518) 442-5374

Hidden Voices: The Lives of LGBT Muslims
Tuesday, November 15, 7:30-9pm
Campus Center Ballroom, Uptown Campus, SUNY

This workshop aims to highlight the many struggles and challenges facing sexual and gender minorities within the Muslim world and to examine the complex intersection of Islam, sexuality and gender. How will LGBT people be affected by the revolution in the Middle East? What will this people-led movement for change mean for LGBT people?

Presentation by Faisal Alam, a queer-identified Muslim activist, who is the founder and former director of Al-Fatiha, an organization for LGBTIQ Muslims, and their allies.

The Jaffe Social Justice Lecture with Aurora Levins Morales
Saturday, November 19, 7–9pm
Assembly Hall, Campus Center, Uptown Campus, SUNY

Presentation by Aurora Levins Morales, a Puerto Rican and Jewish writer, artist, and historian. She is also an activist, healer, and revolutionary. She tells stories with medicinal powers and will explore issues of multiculturalism, social discrimination, and living with chronic illness and disability.*

*This lecture will follow an all-day conference, Engaging feminism, Engaging Communities Conference identifying immediate problems impacting feminist work around social justice struggles. Contact 518-462-2871 or holdingourown@thewomensbuilding.org for more information.

This workshop series is made possible through the generous support of the School of Social Welfare, Counseling Psychology program, Women’s Studies Department, Disability Resource Center, The Center for the Elimination of Health Disparities, Office of Multicultural Student Success’ Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, SWARE, the Student Association , Northeast Division NASW NYS, Holding Our Own, Women’s Foundation and the Women’s Building, Rainbow Access Initiative, and the Capital Region Pride Center.

---

Arlene Istar Lev LCSW-R, CASAC
Part Time Lecturer
University at Albany, School of Social Welfare
Albany NY

and
Choices Counseling and Consulting
518-463-9152

PLEASE SEND PRIVATE MAIL TO:  Arlene.Lev@gmail.com

It is with much gratitude and joy that I am able to provide this blog post from the National Coalition for LGBT Health’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C.  Monday morning the Coalition meeting kicked off with a keynote from Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.  In her talk she spoke about the incredible progress made on the federal level specific to LGBT health and wellness.  Including; mandatory hospital visitation policies relevant to the LGBT community (with enforcement), new data collection measures to include sexual orientation and soon gender identify in the National Health Survey, cultural competency initiatives through new federal grants (ie: Fenway Institute $250k for clinic competency development), and lastly LGBT youth measures including anti-bulling initiatives and education in foster care and shelters programs specific to LGBTQ youth.

Understanding how the stars aligned to allow the panel presentation I participated on to follow (Rock Star), Secretary Sebelius I may never now.  But, humble I was able to offer up the work of Rainbow Access Initiative to those in attendance including representatives from national organizations such as the American Medical Association, the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to name a few.   More specifically, I spoke about RAI’s, “My Health Care Story Matters” project as it relates to cultural competency training in health care.

For those of you not familiar with the health care story project noted above, this summer RAI kicked off the collection of personal video stories of LGBTQ health care consumers talking about their personal health care experiences.  Some of the stories shared by consumers thus far include stories about their best health care experience, their worst health care experience and/or what cultural competent care means to them to name a few.  To learn more about this project please click on the “My Health Care Story Matters” tab above where you will be able to view personal health care stories and can learn how you can share yours.

The panel on promoting LGBT cultural competency also included Liz Margolis from the National LGBT Cancer Network and Shane Snowden from the UCSF Medical School: Center for LGBT Health and Equality.  Liz spoke about her work in networking with the NYC Network of Hospitals to offer mandatory LGBT cultural competency trainings to over 30,000 medical staff and personnel.  Shane offered a number of highlights and updates on encouraging work taking place across the country in medical schools and associations specific to LGBT health curriculum.

The day was loaded with talks, panels and presentations from several other leaders in LGBT health care including the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force and representatives from Federal agencies including SAMHSA.  In summary, take away from a day of networking with National leaders in LGBT health is the awareness we (the LGBT community & allies) are on the cusp of major progress in LGBT health care in the U.S.  The work of RAI is to ensure this national progress makes its way to the LGBT health care consumer in the Capital District of NY.   Please note, this progress can’t and won’t continue without the ongoing active participation and advocacy of both LGBTQ health care consumers and leaders in LGBT health.  Take action and be heard; reach out to RAI at mystory@rainbowaccess.org to share your story and help us to redefine LGBT health care one story at a time.

Signing off from D.C./Chad Putman, LMSW – RAI Board President