National LGBTI summit to discuss medical problems, solutions

When it comes to health issues of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community, health activists say the country is at a crossroads.

This year’s National LGBTI Health Summit will take place in a part of the country that reflects that — Indiana.

“Indiana is at a crossroads of the country location wise and with our view of national health coverage,” said Rebekah Sinders, a member of Rainbow Road Crew, the committee organizing the summit. “People still aren’t asking their doctors the right questions. This is important because it’s grassroots, people taking control into their own hands.”

The summits have previously been held in Boulder, Cambridge, Philadelphia and Chicago. This year’s summit, based on the theme “At the Crossroads,” will be at IU July 16 through 19.

It will focus on health and wellness issues facing the LGBTI community.

Workshops, networking and social activities will offer participants the opportunity to meet and share ideas, this year’s chair Patrick Battani said.

The summit usually attracts health care professionals and activists, alternative health providers and outreach workers.

Battani said anyone interested in LGBTI health issues is welcome to attend.

“It’s a grassroots thing,” he said. “A national health conference may not recognize issues of the LGBTI community.”

The Rainbow Road Crew accepted abstracts from anyone around the country and the world.

This gives people the opportunity to ask real questions and get real answers about LGBTI health, Battani said.

Topics this year include abuse in lesbian relationships, aging with HIV epidemic and innovative LGBTI health programs in Canada.

Public health discussions usually view the LGBTI communities as needing to modify behavior, organizers said. This summit breaks from that idea and will focus on a more asset-based approach.

Creativity, passion and community can play a role in the health of the LGBTI community, said Carol Fischer, a producer of the local LGBT radio show BloomingOUT and the office coordinator at the IU GLBT Student Support Services office.

“Issues surrounding health for gays and lesbians are especially scary for the LGBTI community,” Fischer said. “Most medical professionals are woefully ignorant of the needs and issues of the LGBTI community. More education is needed and more research into the needs of the LGBTI community in order for the medical community to better serve our health needs.”

Fisher said it’s important people are aware of the health issues facing the LGBTI community.

“It’s important because the LGBTI community is an oppressed community largely because of ignorance and myth,” she said. “The more summits such as this one educate and enlighten folks, the less oppressed our community will be.”