Title
Declaring March 17 - March 21, 2025 as National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week in the City of Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week is an annual event to raise awareness about the health challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community and advocate for better healthcare access and equity. LGBTQ Health Awareness Week is an opportunity to engage with organizations that conduct crucial health equity work, inform the public about the importance of LGBTQ+ health, and unite providers, LGBTQ+ communities, and allies for the advancement of real solutions that remove barriers and improve health for us all; and
WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ individuals are disproportionately impacted by a wide range of health threats when compared with their cisgender or heterosexual peers, which is the direct result of compounded anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination and other systemic barriers to accessing healthcare services across the United States. There is an urgent need for a greater allocation of resources to support healthcare providers nationwide who report feeling unprepared to meet the needs of their LGBTQ+ patients and clients and LGBTQ+ health; and
WHEREAS, According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, one third of LGBTQ+ adults (33%) say they were treated unfairly or with disrespect or had at least one negative experience with a health provider, compared to 15% of non-LGBTQ+ adults. Additionally, the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 61% of LGBTQ+ adults reported that a provider assumed something about them without asking, suggested they were personally to blame for a health problem, ignored a direct request or question or refused to prescribe needed pain medication, compared to 31% of non-LGBTQ+ adults who reported these same negative experiences; and
WHEREAS, The National Coalition for LGBTQ Health created National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week to raise awareness about issues impacting LGBTQ+ healthcare. The National Coalition for LGBTQ Health was founded in 2000, to improve the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals by advocating for better healthcare access, supporting community initiatives, and promoting research; and
WHEREAS, The National Coalition for LGBTQ Health’s primary focus is to expand culturally competent health and social services to serve a diverse and inclusive LGBTQ+ population, to build and disseminate knowledge regarding the LGBTQ+ population’s health status, access to and utilization of healthcare and other health-related information, and to change public and private sector laws, policies, and regulations regarding LGBTQ+ health and related issues; and
WHEREAS, National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week 2025 is organized on the theme, “Health Equity NOW!”, to emphasize the need for immediate action to address health disparities and ensure equitable healthcare for all LGBTQ+ individuals. Health Equity NOW! is an urgent call to action for better outcomes and access to healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia is home to a wide variety of organizations that offer LGBTQ+ healthcare services, fight for equality and protect rights for all, and provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals to learn and grow, including but not limited to Covenant House, Mazzoni Center, Willam Way LGBT Community Center, The Trevor Project, Planned Parenthood, Philadelphia FIGHT, Transgender Law Center, Philadelphia Freedom Band, The LGBT Center of Greater Reading, Philly AIDS Thrift @ Giovanni’s Room, GALAEI, Attic Youth Center, and Colours Organization, who impact, empower, support, inspire, teach, and protect the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia stands proudly with our LGBTQ+ community in the fight to protect vital services and expanding inclusive care remains of upmost importance. The need to stand in defense of LGBTQ+ lives remains increasingly critical, in light of hateful legislation introduced to eradicate LGBTQ+ rights, access to healthcare, and the censoring of LGBTQ+ students and inclusive materials in school curriculum; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby declares March 17 - March 21, 2025 as National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week in the City of Philadelphia.
End