Latest news with #LGBTQ+HealthCareConference
Skift
05-05-2025
- Health
- Skift
One of Nation's Largest Trans Conferences Ends Annual Event, Latest LGBTQ Cancelation
As anti-LGBTQ+ legislation escalates in the U.S, events serving these communities are shifting away from in-person conferences. Some feel more cancellations are to come. After more than 20 years, the Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference — one of the largest transgender-focused events in the United States — is ending its in-person gathering. Instead, organizers say they will shift to year-round LBGTQ+ programming under a new name: the Charlene Arcila Trans Wellness Collective. 'Because of the political climate, we made the difficult, but we believe, correct choice that providing a continuum of programs throughout the year is the prudent and appropriate decision to best serve our community. This isn't stepping back. It's stepping forward in a moment of need,' said David Weisberg, chief development officer for the Mazzoni Center, the event's organizer. The Human Rights Campaign recently declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans, citing a surge in state-level bills targeting queer and transgender rights. Other LGBTQ+ conferences have also been canceled. The LGBTQ+ Health Care Conference, hosted by the IU School of Medicine, set to be held in April, was canceled at the end of January. It has been an annual gathering since 2017. Mary Dankoski, executive associate dean, said the conference was canceled due to 'challenging' state legislation. Grant Cancellations May Impact Events The Trump administration's cancellation of hundreds of transgender research grants could impact future related events, said Cameron Curtis, CEO of the LGBT Meeting Professionals Association. Curtis warns that this is a troubling trend. "It's unfortunate that an in-person Trans Wellness conference has been canceled in a time when it's so critical for the Transgender community to have strong and unconditional support. I think more cancelations are to come," Curtis said. Ashley Brundage, CEO of leadership training company Empowering Differences and past attendee of the Philadelphia conference, sees the cancellation as a significant loss. "An in-person conference is an opportunity for people to come together. This is especially important in the transgender space as many don't always get the opportunity to be their authentic selves," Brundage said. "There is a stark difference between the first Trump administration, when anti-DEI sentiment was more covert, and today, where it's front and center," Brundage said, noting the shift has drastically impacted her company's business. Global Travel Concerns Mount Trump's anti-DEI policies are creating international concern. InterPride, representing over 375 Pride groups in 70 countries, issued a travel advisory. It cites a Trump executive order requiring passports, visas, and Global Entry cards to recognize only two sexes, male and female. "If your passport has 'X' as a gender marker or differs from your birth-assigned gender, we strongly recommend contacting the U.S. diplomatic mission before traveling to confirm entry requirements," the InterPride advisory states. At least six European countries — Germany, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, France and the United Kingdom — have updated their travel advisories to warn transgender and nonbinary travelers about potential risks in the United States.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Indiana University's LGBTQ+ Health Care Conference the latest DEI event to be canceled
The Indiana University School of Medicine has said little about its decision to cancel its LGBTQ+ Health Care Conference less than three months before the event was to take place. The conference dedicated to 'informing healthcare providers on the unique needs of LGBTQ patients' has been hosted annually by the IUSOM, either virtually or in-person, since 2017. The Indianapolis Business Journal first reported the cancelation on Jan. 31, which came via an update to the conference's website. The IUSOM first cited 'multiple emerging factors' before revising the statement to simply say, 'The IU School of Medicine LGBTQ+ Health Care Conference has been canceled.' The statement is still reflected on the conference's website. Chris Geidner, a journalist and legal expert who covers LGBTQ+ issues at the U.S. Supreme Court, says he was invited to be a keynote speaker at the 2025 conference just two days before he was informed it would not be held. Geidner says the abrupt cancelation, without reason, leaves him to believe efforts aimed at targeting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives (DEI) across the U.S. and in Indiana played a role. 'Either they decided on their own to cancel it, or someone told them that they needed to,' said Geidner. 'The school at least has the obligation to say why.' The IUSOM-hosted LGBTQ+ Health Care Conference is just one of several DEI-related conferences and programs that have been canceled or suspended in recent weeks. In January, Rutgers University in New Jersey canceled a DEI conference just days before it was set to begin, citing pressure from the federal government and Trump administration to refrain from DEI programming. Michigan State University also canceled a DEI-focused webinar in late January. Organizers said they were concerned about Trump's executive order targeting DEI in federal workforce hiring, spending and contracting. In Indiana, both Gov. Mike Braun and state elected officials also have sought to scale back DEI programs in the state. Braun signed an executive order banning the governor's DEI office and directing state agencies not to fund positions, activities or trainings that 'grant preferential treatment' based on race or ethnicity. Senate Bill 289, which prohibits mandatory DEI training in public schools and restricts DEI programs at state universities, passed the Indiana Senate on Feb. 6 and now heads to Braun's office for approval. Geidner believes the slew of executive and legislative actions targeting DEI programs are likely behind the IUSOM conference decision. He says he's disappointed and that he believes the school should to provide an explanation. 'The needs of LGBTQ patients didn't change because Trump and Mike Braun issued those orders. Those are still the same,' Geidner said. 'If nothing else, the students, faculty and staff have a right to know who made that decision and why.' The marketing and communications chair for the LGBTQ+ Health Care Conference could not be reached for comment. Indiana University and the IU School of Medicine did not respond to a request for comment. Reach Brian Rosenzweig at brian@ This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: IU cancels its LGBTQ Health Care Conference amidst attacks on DEI
USA Today
10-02-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Indiana University's LGBTQ+ Health Care Conference the latest DEI event to be canceled
AI-assisted summary The Indiana University School of Medicine canceled its LGBTQ+ Health Care Conference less than three months before the event. The conference, which has been held annually since 2017, focused on informing healthcare providers on the unique needs of LGBTQ patients. The cancelation comes amid a wave of similar cancellations and suspensions of DEI-related programs across the country. The Indiana University School of Medicine has said little about its decision to cancel its LGBTQ+ Health Care Conference less than three months before the event was to take place. The conference dedicated to 'informing healthcare providers on the unique needs of LGBTQ patients' has been hosted annually by the IUSOM, either virtually or in-person, since 2017. The Indianapolis Business Journal first reported the cancelation on Jan. 31, which came via an update to the conference's website. The IUSOM first cited 'multiple emerging factors' before revising the statement to simply say, 'The IU School of Medicine LGBTQ+ Health Care Conference has been canceled.' The statement is still reflected on the conference's website. Chris Geidner, a journalist and legal expert who covers LGBTQ+ issues at the U.S. Supreme Court, says he was invited to be a keynote speaker at the 2025 conference just two days before he was informed it would not be held. Geidner says the abrupt cancelation, without reason, leaves him to believe efforts aimed at targeting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives (DEI) across the U.S. and in Indiana played a role. 'Either they decided on their own to cancel it, or someone told them that they needed to,' said Geidner. 'The school at least has the obligation to say why.' Conference cancelation comes in the wake of executive, legislative actions targeting DEI The IUSOM-hosted LGBTQ+ Health Care Conference is just one of several DEI-related conferences and programs that have been canceled or suspended in recent weeks. In January, Rutgers University in New Jersey canceled a DEI conference just days before it was set to begin, citing pressure from the federal government and Trump administration to refrain from DEI programming. Michigan State University also canceled a DEI-focused webinar in late January. Organizers said they were concerned about Trump's executive order targeting DEI in federal workforce hiring, spending and contracting. In Indiana, both Gov. Mike Braun and state elected officials also have sought to scale back DEI programs in the state. Braun signed an executive order banning the governor's DEI office and directing state agencies not to fund positions, activities or trainings that 'grant preferential treatment' based on race or ethnicity. Senate Bill 289, which prohibits mandatory DEI training in public schools and restricts DEI programs at state universities, passed the Indiana Senate on Feb. 6 and now heads to Braun's office for approval. Geidner believes the slew of executive and legislative actions targeting DEI programs are likely behind the IUSOM conference decision. He says he's disappointed and that he believes the school should to provide an explanation. 'The needs of LGBTQ patients didn't change because Trump and Mike Braun issued those orders. Those are still the same,' Geidner said. 'If nothing else, the students, faculty and staff have a right to know who made that decision and why.' The marketing and communications chair for the LGBTQ+ Health Care Conference could not be reached for comment. Indiana University and the IU School of Medicine did not respond to a request for comment. Reach Brian Rosenzweig atbrian@
