In recognition of LGBTQ History Month, the UNMC/Nebraska Medicine campus will host several activities in October in support of the LGBTQ community.
“One of the things we’re proudest of at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine is our commitment to creating and maintaining a welcoming and inclusive campus community,” said UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. “This inclusivity extends to everyone — patients, visitors, employees, students and others on our campus.
“All people, including LGBTQ individuals, are part of the UNMC, Nebraska Medicine and Omaha community. They provide care, educate students in our classrooms, strive to discover life-saving treatments, take classes, receive care as patients, work in administrative and support roles, and enrich the environment at the med center.”
Emily Glenn, education and research services librarian at the McGoogan Library of Medicine, who co-chairs the LGBTQ+ Employee Alliance with Angie Vasa, Nebraska Medicine nurse manager at the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, highlighted the month’s events:
“Some of these are history-focused, some are not, but are terrific opportunities for raising visibility and coming together,” Glenn said.
Med Center LGBT History Month events include:
- UNMC hosts GenderWorks: Advancing Transgender Care in the Heartland, a conference dedicated to providing medical and mental health care providers with education and training on how to competently serve transgender patients and clients. The conference is set for Oct. 13.
- Medical ALLIES, a student group, hosts a session with Jay Irwin, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology and the graduate program chair at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Oct. 24 at noon in Sorrell Center, Room 2014. Dr. Irwin will speak about stigma and sexual assault against the LGBTQ+ community.
- The LGBTQ+ Employee Alliance celebrates National Coming Out Day, Oct. 11, with cupcakes, in the commons area of the Durham Research Center II, from 10-11 a.m. All med center staff are welcome.
- A history exhibit at UNO’s Criss Library will run Oct. 3 through Nov. 10.
- Several events also are available at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
“Diversity is a strength at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine,” Dr. Gold said. “We want — and we expect — for there to be an environment in which all of our students, faculty, staff, patients and visitors can flourish. They will not thrive unless they feel welcome and are comfortable in their surroundings.”
For more information, please reach out to the LGBTQ+ Employee Alliance.