Friday, October 16, 2009

LGBT community calls for quality, affordable healthcare during national healthcare reform debate

Community Town-Hall Meeting Held to Discuss Reform Proposals and Encourage community engagement

Get Informed. Share Your Thoughts. Take Action.


Monday October 19th
6:00pm - 8:00pm
San Francisco LGBT Community Center
Free Childcare Provided (Childcare RSVP)


The San Francisco LGBT Community Center is proud to team up with the California Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender (LGBT) Health and Human Services Network - a project of Equality California Institute and Our Family Coalition, to host a town-hall forum to discuss the LGBT community's need for health care reform.

The forum will feature a panel of community leaders who are working on LGBT policy and health issues. Dianne Sabin, Executive Director of the Lesbian Health and Research Center at UCSF and Lance Toma, Executive Director of Asian &Pacific Islander Wellness Center will open the forum with an overview of the current state of LGBT health.

The town hall will be moderated by Rebecca Rolfe, Executive Director of the San Francisco LGBT Community Center. Linda Leu, Regional Organizer in Northern California for Health Access, will provide an update about the status of current healthcare reform proposals. Judy Appel, Executive Director of Our Family Coalition, will focus on the needs of LGBTQ families in healthcare reform.

Masen Davis, Executive Director of the Transgender Law Center, will speak on the impact of healthcare reform for transgender people. Kyriell Noon, Executive Director of STOP AIDS Project, will address HIV/AIDS concerns as part of the national healthcare reform process. A question and answer session will follow the presentations, and presenters will discuss opportunities to take action on the healthcare reform issue.


"We are very excited to host this gathering which will be an opportunity to learn about the various proposals being considered in Washington, D.C" said Rebecca Rolfe, Executive Director of the San Francisco LGBT Community Center. "It is important that the LGBT community be aware of what is being proposed and have opportunities to voice our opinions and ensure that our needs are included in a national agenda."