State of Sexual and Gender Minority Health Symposium

ISGMH’s State of Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) Health Symposium convenes researchers, policy makers, community-based organizations, LGBTQ youth, and community members to discuss the health disparities and resiliency of LGBTQ people. The symposium presents an opportunity to spark interdisciplinary conversations on best practices and policies for supporting the health of LGBTQ communities. Following formal presentations and panels on the research and current work in LGBTQ health, attendees are invited to a reception providing the opportunity to connect across disciplines and organizations.

Since the inaugural event in 2016, each symposium has closely examined the health and wellbeing of a specific intersection in the LGBTQ community. Past symposiums have focused LGBTQ youth, the intersections of race/ethnicity and LGBTQ identities, suicide prevention, and collective liberation.

The State of SGM Health Symposium is supported and organized by several partner organizations.

ISGMH partnered with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the American Educational Research Association (AERA) for the 2023 Inclusion and Advancement of LGBTQ+ People in STEM Fields symposium. The Calamus Foundation, Ernst & Young, and Northwestern Medicine Feinberg School of Medicine sponsored this event.

The 2017 Symposium was co-hosted by the Center for Prevention Implementation Methodology, Advocates for Youth, and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago,  and was supported by the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance. The Northwestern Office of the Provost generously supported the 2018 Symposium with a Daniel I. Linzer Grant for Innovation in Diversity and Equity. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention generously supported the 2019 and 2021 Symposiums.