Toledo City Council Funds LGBTQ+ Affirming Health Care
[TOLEDO, OH] - Toledo City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, to fund the three-year Affirmative and Inclusive LGBTQ+ Action Plan created by Equality Toledo and Solace Health & Wellness with a special assist from members of the Equality Toledo NWO LGBTQ+ Coalition.
LGBTQ+ community members and leaders began meeting in October 2021, and over the following year developed an action plan based on community members’ lived experiences, concerns, and the lack of accessible and affirming healthcare resources. We are excited to see this important step in the right direction, as these funds will help Equality Toledo and Solace Health & Wellness perform the first-ever health community needs assessment for LBGTQ+ people seeking health care in Toledo.
“Similar to other marginalized communities, LGBTQ+ individuals are at risk for disparate health outcomes, experience discrimination, and are stigmatized when seeking health care services. All people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect within our healthcare system and this initiative will train providers on evolving language and established standards of care and then provide a clear road map for access to affirming providers for our LGBTQ+ residents and families.” says Erin Marten, Executive Director of Solace Health and Wellness and also a midwife and public health professional.
“We look forward to these designated funds being utilized to not only uplift the LGBTQ+ community but also begin to break down barriers that so many LGBTQ+ people experience.” according to Brent Rabie, Deputy Director of Equality Toledo.
More information on the action plan and this initiative will be available later. Please look out for this information on the Equality Toledo website at EqualityToledo.org
Equality Toledo works to eliminate discrimination in our region on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, through education, activism and other anti-defamation efforts.
Solace Health and Wellness works to strengthen the health of the community through inclusive and culturally appropriate sexual and reproductive healthcare and mental health services, a variety of relevant educational opportunities, comprehensive social and personal support, and advocacy on the behalf of the community
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Press Release Contact Name: Brent Rabie
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Press Release Contact Phone: 419-349-7205
Organization Name: Equality Toledo