Connecting for change at our first ever Affirming Provider Networking Event

People stand or sit around tables in a spacious venue with wooden beams and exposed brick walls. They eat food and chat with each other.

This is what change looks like! On February 24, more than 60 healthcare professionals joined us for our first ever Affirming Provider Networking Event. Hosted by our Health Equity team, it was a rare chance for providers who work with LGBTQ+ patients to connect with each other and share ideas, experiences, and resources. Change is rooted in relationships, and opportunities like this are crucial for creating more inclusive and connected systems of care.

We can’t say thank you enough to everyone who came out—after work on a weeknight, no less! We are so grateful for each and every attendee’s commitment to serving their patients with compassion, dignity, and respect. They are part of a vibrant, growing network that’s changing how our LGBTQ+ neighbors—and, by extension, all of us!—experience healthcare in our region.

Close up of Charlotte standing behind a microphone and grinning.

While this night was a great opportunity for casual networking, it marched to the heartbeat of equity. This was clear when listening to the story of our guest speaker, Charlotte, whose story proves that affirming care saves lives.

This event couldn’t have happened without the support of its sponsor, Spring EOP (Enhanced Outpatient Program), the welcoming venue at Lulu's Downtown, and the tasty food provided by Illegal Pete's.

Prism Community Collective, an initiative of ChangeLine, was also there to share information about their services and resources, offering providers another avenue of support for their LGBTQ+ patients.

If you’re an LGBTQ-affirming provider who’s interested in joining this network, please reach out to our Health Equity manager, Melissa.