Leading Health and LGBTQ+ Organisations Gather to Address the Need for LGBTQ+ Inclusive Health Systems and Evidence-Informed Care for Transgender People
14 October 2024
CAPE TOWN, South Africa – The Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF) and the University of Cape Town’s Faculty of Health Sciences, in partnership with Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM), the Triangle Project, and Gender DynamiX (GDX), are joining forces to host a comprehensive two-day LGBTQ+ Health and Advocacy Symposium on November 1-2, 2024 in Cape Town.
This collaborative symposium brings together leading healthcare professionals, public health officials, community advocates and academics to address critical issues in LGBTQ+ healthcare. The event builds upon the success of previous annual LGBTQ+ Health and Advocacy Days, with an expanded focus on creating inclusive healthcare environments and improving access to health services, particularly for transgender and gender diverse people.
Key highlights of the symposium include:
- A keynote address on LGBTQ+ inclusivity in public sector healthcare by Dr Hilary Goeiman, Director, Service Priorities Coordination, Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness
- An expert panel discussion on guaranteeing access to healthcare for LGBTQ+ communities
- Specialized sessions on evidence-informed care for transgender health and supporting transgender youth
- Interactive breakout groups focusing on policy integration, healthcare provider education, and community engagement with the aim to publish a collective position paper
Dr. Linda-Gail Bekker of the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation will deliver opening remarks, setting the tone for two days of intensive discussion, partnership building, and knowledge sharing.
The event will run from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM each day with attendees engaging in a comprehensive program of expert presentations and interactive discussions. The symposium uniquely combines academic discourse with cultural elements, including a groundbreaking drag king performance by Kings Collab and the screening of ‘Mirror Him’, a powerful documentary about a young transgender man’s journey in South Africa. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with experts in LGBTQ+ healthcare and contribute to a collective position paper on integrating LGBTQ+ health into health systems in South Africa.
This pioneering symposium is not to be missed and the morning sessions (9:00 AM to 1:00 PM each day) will be broadcast live online. Interested participants can secure their virtual attendance and access the livestreaming link by registering with the following link: https://rb.gy/4y3g6
For additional information, please contact:
- Lynn Bust (Desmond Tutu Health Foundation): 083 304 4302 / [email protected]
- Gita November (Gender DynamiX): [email protected]
- Thuli Mjwara (Inclusive and Affirming Ministries): [email protected]
The symposium is made possible through the support of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, Gilead Sciences, and ViiV Healthcare.
