Hi everyone,

I’m writing to encourage you all to submit a proposal for a panel discussion or the delivery of a paper for Rainbow Health Ontario’s 2014 Conference.

The RHO 2014 Conference theme “Creating Change Together” recognizes the ground-breaking work that is taking place and also highlights the need for further system-wide change. The conference draws leaders from academic, practice and community sectors to share new scientific knowledge, evolving models of clinical service, relevant policy tools and grass-roots innovations. Our goals are to showcase “excellence and innovation” and to strengthen participants’ ability to work together in building a healthier Ontario for LGBT individuals, families and communities.

Presenters and delegates are invited to spend three days in Toronto sharing their vision and expertise as we discuss the following key issues:

• How healthy are our diverse LGBT communities?

• What policies or programs are making a difference?

• Which health disparities and barriers remain and how do we address them?

• How can we integrate our efforts for greater impact?

Past RHO conferences have included a broad range of topics including mental health, creating LGBT sensitive services, cancer, gender variant children, the health of asylum seekers, queer families, trans health care, sexuality and pleasure, LGBT research methods and more.

RHO invites proposals which present new information or insight into LGBT health and wellness issues, with particular emphasis on creating change together to improve the health of our LGBT communities. Proposals may fall under these broad categories:

• LGBT emotional, mental, physical and spiritual health and wellness: presentations showcasing innovative clinical or community development services with proven results

• Recent LGBT health research from Ontario and Canada: presentations that describe recent findings related to LGBT health or access to services, discuss methodological issues, and/or show how to translate research to action

• Innovative and creative LGBT health promotion programs: presentations that describe successful LGBT health promotion initiatives including education campaigns, community development activities or health information materials, with an emphasis on practical tools and techniques

• Public policy and activism: presentations that address current public policy issues that affect the health and well-being of LGBT communities and/or identify strategies to influence policy development

• Education and training: presentations that describe best practices in educating service providers to provide clinically and culturally competent care, or that focus on the creation and inclusion of LGBT-inclusive curricula in professional education institutions.

Proposals from health and social service professionals, organizations, community activists, policy makers and researchers are encouraged. We welcome presentations that are co-presented by a diversity of stakeholder groups. For instance, if you would like to present findings from a research study, we encourage you to consider partnering with a service provider and/or a policy maker who can speak to the relevance of your findings in their work.

The deadline for proposals is May 31st, which is coming up fast! Follow the above link for more information and to submit your proposal!