Let’s Get Better Together 2023
We are excited to announce the 12th year of the Let’s Get Better Together Conference: A Quality Look at Healthcare conference, which focuses on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning and Queer (2SLGBTQIA) health.
Achieving Health Equity and Health Justice
The theme of our 2023 event is “Achieving Health Equity and Health Justice”.
OCTOBER 18 & 19, 2023
Harrah’s Ak-Chin
15406 N Maricopa Rd, Maricopa, AZ 85139
Reservations: If you would like to stay at Harrah’s Ak-Chin, our group code discount is S10LGB3. You can now book through the designated weblink pasted down below, or by CLICKING HERE or calling 1-800-CAESARS and providing that group code.
Please be advised that at check in all guests will be asked to provide a standard credit or debit card for a nightly $50 Incidentals Deposit that will be released after check out (Reloadable and Green dot cards are not accepted). We will hold all rooms at the group rate until 11:59 PM on October 2nd. As of October 3rd, 2023 reservations will be booked subject to availability and at the prevailing rate at that time.
https://www.caesars.com/book/?propCode=AKC&action=FindRooms&groupcode=S10LGB3
Make sure to adjust the dates on your reservations. The online system defaults to just a one night stay for the first contracted night.
SCHEDULE
Conference Emcee: Shawnté Rothschild (she/her)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18
Champions of Change Advocacy Institute
Land Acknowledgment
Let’s Get Better Together Conference Committee honors the tribal sovereignty of the Ak-Chin Indian Community. We are respectful visitors to these lands that have since time been, still remain and will forever be the home of the Akimel O’odham and Tohono O’odham people. We are humbled by the hospitality of the Community in hosting our conference. Just as the Ak-Chin Indian Community is one of the largest farmland producers in the country, we hope the partnerships we grow here emulate the Ak-Chin Him-Dak and sustain our efforts today and for a thriving future.
Presenter(s): Onyekachi Ekeogu & Jannah Scott with YWCA
Description: Builduing Healthy, Resilent Communities – The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted racial and gender disparities in access to healthcare. YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix has focused on achieving post-COVID race and gender equity in mental health in Northwest Maricopa County. Through a “systems change” process—participatory research, data analysis and thought partnership with providers, advocates, and families—YWCA gained invaluable insights into challenges facing these communities, and potential policy instigations that could engender positive change.
During this session, we will delve into the topic of race/gender equity in mental health for LGBTQ Young people, specifically in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will share invaluable insights from our work as part of the YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix Systems Change Initiative. YWCA conducted a structured “systems change” process called “RETOC” Race Equity Theory of Change—comprised of examining the conditions affecting mental health, naming the preconditions necessary to achieve a goal of equity in mental health, and using the social determinants of health model to highlight important intersections for marginalized populations. Join us to learn, discuss and apply these insights to your own systems, and begin to think about how we can work together to mitigate barriers preventing individuals from getting necessary help—barriers like unjust policies, disaggregated care, stigma, and race/gender discrimination.
Presenter: Heather Brown with Cultural Sponge
Description: In this presentation, we will delve into the critical role of design, branding, and web strategies in improving healthcare access and services for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Our focus will be on equipping healthcare professionals and service providers with essential tools and practices to create inclusive and welcoming environments.
The objectives of this section of champions is to reflect on the characteristics of a healthy advocate that attendees (1) can use in their advocacy work and (2) develop to improve the internal and external impact of their work.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19
Plenary and Breakout sessions
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Louis Mitchell
Rev. Louis Mitchell is a pioneering “intentional man”. Known around the country and abroad as an elder, advocate, trainer, teacher, student, minister, parent and friend. He is currently serving as the Senior Pastor of Rincon Congregational United Church of Christ in Tucson Arizona. He is a co-founder, with Mx. Chris Paige, of Transfaith.
Rev. Mitchell is a proud father to his daughter, Kahlo (like the artist), and co-parent with her mother, Krysia L. Villon. He is supported by a team of trusted friends and family (by birth and connection).
Louis has been in recovery for nearly four decades and has been involved in the fight for health, respect and self-determination since the early 1980s, with deep engagement in political, mental health, recovery, and spiritual contexts.
He brings his own learned experiences, a broad range of resources, theories and studies, to offer a fresh, “on the ground”, open-hearted, holistic strategy to the work of individual and community healing, intersectional diversity planning and commitment to personal and community agency and solvency. He is a confirmed believer in the restorative power of truth telling in the voices of those whose stories are often told about them rather than with them.
His teaching and trainings have been sought by government agencies, universities, churches, denominational bodies and businesses around the country.
Engaging and witty, he brings his whole self to each endeavor and appreciates the opportunity to guide and witness growth and wholeness!
- Contributor, “Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families”, Peggy Gillespie (released May 2023) – May 2, 2023
- Profiled in the documentaries
Still Black: A Portrait of Black Transmen (2008, Zeigler & Lora),
Gender Journeys: More than a Pronoun (2016, Luke Allen) and
More than T (2017, Silas Howard)
- 2022 The I Am Human Foundation Lifetime Service Award
- 2017 International Jose Julio Sarria Civil Rights Award from the Imperial Court of Western Massachusetts
- 2015 Claire Skiffington Vanguard Award from the Transgender Law Center for his long-time advocacy for the disenfranchised
- 2011 Haystack Award from the Massachusetts Conference of the UCC for his work in Social Justice and Social Ministry.
- President’s Award from the Wells College students for his 2015 Residency on Intentional Inclusion and Building Diversity
- Recognized as a part of the 2014 edition of the Trans 100
- Named as one of the ten leading Black Religious leaders Advancing LGBTQ Justice by BelieveOutLoud
- Honored by Black Trans Advocacy with a Foundation Award in 2013. Established in his name, the “Louis Mitchell Foundation Award for Empowerment” acknowledges those who increase spiritual, political, or social strength through service, personal encouragement, and availability to the Black Trans Community.
- Profiled in the LGBT Religious Archives Network gallery
- Provided keynote addresses for the 2011 Transgender Religious Leaders Summit, the 2012 Inaugural Black Transmen, Inc. Conference, the 2012 Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference, and the 2017 First Event Conference.
- Served as a founding member and East Coast Regional Minister of TransSaints, a ministry of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries (TFAM)
- Served as the founding Officer for Religious Affairs for the Transgender People of Color Coalition (TPOCC)
- Served as a member of the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention at both the regional (Pioneer Valley) and the statewide (Massachusetts) level.
- Co-founded Recovering the Promise Ministries in Springfield, MA
- Worked with clients and staff at Morris Home, a transgender-specific residential recovery house in Philadelphia, PA
- Served as founding executive director of the Oshun women’s drop-in center (San Francisco, CA)
- First “out” trans-identified board member of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (now The Task Force) and a founding member of Lesbians and Gays of African Descent for Democratic Action (LGADDA)
WORKSHOPS
Session 1
Jennifer Flack
Obsidian Health and Wellness, LLC
Room 4
The heteronormative definition of menopause is defined as the cessation of the menstrual cycle for 12 consecutive months. Menopause is marked by the decline of Estrogen production in the ovaries that impacts the body’s equilibrium. Often Lesbian, Trans-men and non-Binary individuals experience a disparity in treatment due to the limitation of knowledge of the menopause transition in these populations. The research for treating menopause in cisgendered heterosexual women is limited and education of providers is often only an elective class in medical school. For those who identify as Lesbian, Trans-men and non-Binary the research for treatment is near non-existent. The purpose of this presentation is to identify challenges to obtaining appropriate medical care with a skilled provider and ways to encourage inclusion through understanding and education.
Natasha Bhuyan, Md, Alex Leonard, Ann Andrews
One Medical and University of ArizonaCollege of Medicine – Phoenix
Room 1
Panel Discussion on how we’ve created a medical office and workplace environment that is LGBTQIA+ inclusive through:- Employee training- Gender inclusive restrooms- Tech support (e.g., pronouns in medical records)- Education on an inclusive language guide- Recruitment/retention efforts
Jessie Barbosa, Ben Mesnik
Arizona Department of Health Services Office of HealthEquity
Room 2
2SLGBTQIA+ health is an essential component of any public health equity effort. On the one hand, notable progress has been made following the HIV pandemic and the subsequent activism of community members. Most recently, the rapid response and mobilization in addressing the Mpox outbreak and the widespread focus on the behavioral health concerns of 2SLGBTQIA+ students demonstrate avast improvement in public health response, and the work of health equity offices nationwide. Public health response and preparedness efforts of today will very likely have long-term implications for the health of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. For those in public health practice and those concerned with equity, this is a crucial moment when attention and action are needed. The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) Office of Health Equity (OHE) is charged with supporting health equity efforts within our agency and across the state. Our team works to reduce health disparities through the establishment of meaningful two-way partnerships and relationships with tribes, local health departments, and community-based partners. Public health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic have had a historically disproportionate impact on traditionally marginalized and underserved communities. The more recent outbreak of Mpox has continued to highlight the disparities that these communities face in accessing public health resources including vaccines, testing, and treatment, particularly LGBTQIA+ communities of color. Our office has responded to feedback and concerns from leaders, community members, and stakeholders within affected communities who identified that their diverse needs were left out of the statewide pandemic and outbreak response. Our office responded by shifting both our emergency response, and continued recovery, resilience, and maintenance plans to elevate community needs and voices. At the conclusion of this interactive conversation with our Workforce Development Manager, and our Vaccine Equity Manager, we hope participants will walk away with the skills and knowledge to effectively define health equity, and apply health equity best practices within the Arizona public health infrastructure. Participants will also walk away with a number of public health emergency response and preparedness strategies that center around equity, inclusion, and the elevation of community voices, particularly members, leaders, and stakeholders within the 2SLGBTQIA+ in Arizona.
Trudie Jackson
Walking In Two Worlds As A Two Spirit Transgender Elder
Room 3
Embarking on the role of a Two Spirit elder, I am sought out to offer Land Acknowledgement, Opening Blessing, and sharing of personal lived experiences. The teachings shared with me by Two Spirit Elders has helped me to carry on the teachings handed down to the next generation. Some areas that I will highlight include the following: Montana Two Spirit Society, East Coast Two Spirit Society, Bay Area American Indian Two Spirit Society, and the Southwest Two Spirit Society. The significant meaning of prayer, smudging, and embracing identity as a Two Spirit person are often shared. Discussing the impact of settler colonialism, Christianity, and heteropatriarchy within Sovereign Nations from lived experiences will be shared including from an urban Two Spirit Elder perspective.
Disclaimer: No Recording or Photography During Trudie Jackson’s Presentation
We kindly request that you refrain from recording, taking photographs, or any form of audio or visual documentation during Trudie Jackson’s presentation. This policy is in place to respect the privacy and intellectual property of the speaker, as well as to create an environment where everyone can fully engage with the content without distractions. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Andi Young
GLSEN
Main Space
Learn more about how GLSEN Arizona goes about empowering our community members to rise up for LGBTQ+ K-12 students, and
how you can get involved in this important work. Whether it’s through building crucial leadership skills in young people, actively
dismantling adultism, sharing testimony at a legislative committee hearing, or showing up at a school board meeting, anyone can
contribute. Our research shows that when LGBTQ+ students feel safer in schools, all students feel safer in schools; when the most
marginalized are supported, we are all supported.
Our presentation will give attendees a brief snapshot of the research GLSEN has conducted that demonstrates the 4 supports that
help LGBTQ+ students feel safer in schools: student-led LGBTQ+ clubs, supportive educators, comprehensive policies, and inclusive
curriculum. From there we’ll break down the ways GLSEN Arizona is working to make our vision of safer schools for all a reality, and in
that, attendees will begin to see how they can make in impact on our spectrum of engagement. The fight for our LGBTQ+ students,
especially our trans, BIPOC, and disabled LGBTQ+ students, is more important now than ever.
Session 2
William Marsh, MA, PsyD, Chelsea Grieve, M.A., Oralia Gutierrez, LCSW, Kasey Mattson
Southwest Behavioral & Health Services
Room 4
Arizona is a unique state with unique people and needs. This panel will explore the uniqueness of Arizona by conceptualizing its geographies as it pertains to the health and wellness of those who are within the Gender, Sexual, and Romantic relationship Minority (GSRM) population. Examining the social determinants of health (SDOH) across the state and U.S. will provide context for a rich discussion related to the history and experiences of GSRM people. Poverty will be uniquely defined and incorporated into the framework of addressing Arizona’s needs as approximately 12.8% of Arizona lives in economic poverty. Utilizing the intersectionality of poverty and the undeniable resiliency among GSRM people, focus will be placed on identifying and understanding the successes and challenges to the health and wellness of GSRM people. Panelists will challenge conventional biopsychosocial constructs through systems theories, psycholinguistic properties, and fundamental human behavior. Experiential activities will be incorporated into the discussion to further evidence the purpose of this presentation, and to move toward a collaborative, solution-focused process.
Tari Hanneman, Human Rights Campaign
Manuel Soto-Griego, RHIA, Valleywise Health
Room 1
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has increased awareness of the existing disparities for minority and underserved populations in our communities. The increased visibility of the LGBTQ+ population has led to a growing awareness of the healthcare disparities faced by this population and the need to include the LGBTQ+ population in diversity, inclusion and health equity efforts. Yet, how are healthcare facilities to know what policies and best practices are needed to provide LGBTQ+ patient-centered care in order to improve LGBTQ+ health equity? For the past fifteen years, the national Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), has been promoting the adoption of LGBTQ-inclusive policies and practices, helping hospitals and other healthcare facilities to adopt these policies and practices using a national online survey to benchmark progress. The HEI can be used by hospitals and healthcare facilities as a roadmap to LGBTQ+ health equity, allowing them to determine what policies and practices are needed and will work best in their community and healthcare settings.The workshop presenters will provide an overview of the HEI, including insight from the HEI 2022 report, what healthcare facilities are doing in the LGBTQ realm, and what gaps still exist. What policies and practices affecting LGBTQ+ patients and employees have healthcare facilities been swiftest to implement? Which do they find more challenging? What strategies and resources have proved most effective in encouraging facilities to provide competent care? Presenters will also provide a case study of how Valleywise Health has used the HEI as a tool to increase the adoption of LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and practices and will facilitate group discussions about you can increase LGBTQ+ equity and inclusion at your healthcare facility.
Rocko Cook, Dave Watt, Dr. Maria Auguilar-Amaya, DM, MAOM, Anaid Gonzalves, MSW
ASU SIRC Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center
Room 2
The presenters are staff from DISH-AZ (Detailing for Improved Sexual Health in Arizona), a program of Arizona State University’s Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center in partnership with Arizona Department of Health Services. With our skills and resources as Academic Detailers, we focus on individualized and ongoing educational outreach and relationship-building with Arizona providers and healthcare workers on subjects that impact S2LGBTQIA+ patients and clients. We offer small session workshops and one-on-one connection, education, and support to improve equity and healthcare for people of any HIV status or sexual identity, regardless of how an agency is funded. One strategy for improvement involves program development and education with a status-neutral and pleasure-based biomedical approach toward outreach methods, protocols, and clinical practices that can be adopted throughout an entire organization, which we refer to as Whole Clinic Care.
Many Arizona providers have confirmed that fear-based and risk-assessing approaches are not leading to equitable S2LGBTQIA+ patient and client care. We provide connection, education and support to increase the quality of healthcare that is being provided. Similarly, we create educational materials and methods based on community needs and at the request of HIV healthcare providers.
By utilizing status-neutral and pleasure-based approaches with all patient or client interactions, organizations can increase accessibility and acceptability of their services to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community while also addressing stigma and fear-based trauma. A status-neutral and pleasure-based approach from outreach staff to providers unifies the messaging and methods to create a welcoming and inclusive patient/client-centered environment which can lead to improved equity and sexual health for all.
Avilio A. Vieira, Psy.D, Breakwater Psychological Services
Dalena Watson LPC, FAMI, MT-BC, Dalena Watson Counseling
Room 3
Are you a mental health professional working with trans and nonbinary clients? There are numerous obstacles, changing standards, and unique factors in helping our clients. This intermediate level presentation focuses on common clinical pitfalls encountered by mental health professionals and how to best avoid common pitfalls in order to provide competent and ethical care for trans and nonbinary clients.
Session 3
DeAnn Wegwert
Northern Arizona Healthcare
Room 2
Social determinants of health are the nonmedical factors that impact health. In the Department of Health and Human Services/Healthy People 2030 initiative, the social determinants are addressed in 5 categories: education access and quality, health care and quality, neighborhood and environment, social and community context, and economic stability. While these social determinants affect everyone, this presentation will examine these categories through the lens of LGBTQ identity. Issues such as unemployment/underemployment, lack of health insurance, homelessness, substance use, inability to find competent caregivers, and the all-too-often unwelcoming manner of healthcare spaces are examples of social determinants that challenge LGBTQ people and deserve closer examination.This presentation will unpack these various factors and their intersectionalities. The social, cultural, legal, and economic vulnerabilities of the LGBTQ population complicate and further marginalize this population. Even a cursory glance at the current cultural and political moment illustrates this marginalization: the recent legislative attack on trans* healthcare, the Supreme Court’s “permission giving” to those who would openly discriminate under cover of religious beliefs, and the culture war assault on the self-expression of Drag Shows all bring into focus the precarity of LGBTQ identities. These vulnerabilities clash head on with healthcare systems woefully unprepared to support LGBTQ individuals.
Lily Hanscom
JFCS of Southern Arizona
Room 3
“Working with 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth and Their Families” is a Power Point Presentation focusing on basics of working with the 2SLGBTQIA+ population. This presentation is specifically designed for clinicians, behavioral health professionals, and direct support staff. This presentation starts with what 2SLGBTQIA stands for as an acronym, focusing on the idea of an “umbrella term.” After that quick overview, the presentation calls for audience participation by posing questions about first impressions – such as where and when people were first exposed to the 2SLGBTQIA+ population. We will discuss the Genderbread person, identifying the differences among gender identity, gender expression, biological sex, and sexual orientation. From there, the presentation has a True or False quiz (on screen – nobody is mandated to participate/answer), identifying further misconceptions about mental health as it relates to the LGBTQ+ community. Next, the presentation offers basic 2SLGBTQIA+ identifications and terms to help audience members understand basic language as it refers to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This discussion of language leads into a “Do and Don’t” and “Say This Not That” portion of the presentation, focused on what to say and what not to say, identifying derogatory terms while offering more helpful and inclusive words and language. Finally, the presentation delves into how to support parents, foster parents, and caregivers of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.
Ayla Perez, Andy Riffle
Rancho Del Pacifico
Room 1
Our workshop discusses the therapeutic benefits of equine and animal-assisted therapy, highlighting its effectiveness in supporting mental health and overall well-being. The approach acknowledges the intersectionality of challenges experienced by the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, emphasizing the importance of inclusive and anti-racist healthcare practices. Through case studies and real-world examples, the proposal illustrates successful integration of equine and animal-assisted therapy in healthcare settings, particularly in supporting marginalized communities. These therapies offer a unique approach to mental health support, promoting empathy, connection, and resilience. As such, they hold potential in mitigating the effects of racial trauma and addressing the healthcare disparities faced by individuals in poverty within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The proposal concludes with recommendations for future research and implementation of equine and animal-assisted therapy in healthcare settings. By acknowledging the role of these therapies in promoting racial justice work, healthcare providers can work towards more equitable and accessible healthcare practices for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, ultimately fostering improved well-being and social support networks.
Heather A. Smith, LMSW
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Room 4
This breakout session will provide an overview of the disproportionate HIV burden among transgender persons, particularly among transgender women.
Learning Objectives:
• Understand what it means to be transgender and how key transgender-related concepts and terms are defined.
• Review and define key terms related to HIV care and prevention
• Acknowledge the prevalence of HIV among transgender people and the implications, including discrimination, stigma, and mistreatment.
• Identify tools, resources, and approaches to increase awareness of HIV among transgender people at risk for or living with HIV
• Recognize key challenges transgender persons face to engage in HIV care and practical ways to help overcome these barriers.