What are the key health inequalities facing LGBTQ+ populations? What can we do? Find out more with Proud Science Alliance and their online conference sessions.
Join this online mini-conference as part of #SaferToBeMe and learn about LGBTQ+ health inequalities. There are 3 different sessions where you can join one, or all, of the sessions below.
Session 1: Unequal Care: Addressing Global LGBTQ+ Health Disparities
Event Summary:
Despite advances in LGBTQ+ rights in many parts of the world, stark inequalities persist in healthcare access, quality, and outcomes for LGBTQ+ individuals globally. This expert-led session explores the systemic barriers that LGBTQ+ communities face, ranging from discriminatory policies and undertrained providers to data invisibility and cultural stigma.
Drawing on international research, case studies, and lived experiences, this session will shed light on how these disparities manifest in different regions, including high-income and low-resource settings. We’ll examine different facets that contribute to unequal care such as the impact of criminalization, mental health stigma, and lack of inclusive medical education.
Attendees will gain insights into:
- The current global state of LGBTQ+ health inequality
- How legal, social, and institutional factors contribute to poor health outcomes
- Strategies for building inclusive, evidence-based care systems
- The role of advocacy, education, and policy reform
This session aims to empower attendees to help drive tangible change toward equitable healthcare for LGBTQ+ populations worldwide.
Session 2: At a Crossroads: Defending DEI in Life Sciences and Healthcare
Event Summary:
In recent months, a growing number of global corporations, including some in life sciences and healthcare, have scaled back or dismantled Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs under pressure from political, economic, and cultural headwinds. Critics claim these initiatives are performative, divisive, or non-essential - despite mounting evidence that DEI efforts drive innovation, employee well-being, and improved patient outcomes.
This timely session explores the emerging backlash against DEI and what it means for LGBTQ+ employees, ERG leaders, and HR professionals working in life sciences and healthcare-related industries. With a focus on the global landscape, we’ll examine:
- Why some companies are retreating from DEI commitments
- The risks of rolling back inclusive policies in healthcare and life sciences
- The measurable benefits of maintaining strong DEI frameworks—especially for LGBTQ+ inclusion
- How ERG leaders and HR teams can advocate for sustainable, values-based progress.
Led by industry experts and inclusion advocates, this session provides actionable strategies to strengthen DEI from within, align it with business imperatives, and reframe inclusion as a driver of scientific advancement and ethical responsibility.
Whether you're building an LGBTQ+ ERG, navigating executive hesitancy, or championing DEI across borders, this conversation will equip you to respond with clarity, purpose, and resilience.
Session 3: Beyond the Rainbow: Practical Allyship for LGBTQ+ Inclusion at Work and in Life
Event Summary:
As efforts to make workplaces more inclusive and equitable are under attack, advocating for underrepresented groups is more important than ever. Allyship has to be more than a gesture, but an ongoing commitment to inclusion, respect, and equity. Being a genuine ally to the LGBTQ+ community requires more than showing up during Pride Month. It demands consistent action, reflection, and the willingness to use your voice and influence in meaningful ways.
This session offers a grounded, honest look at what it means to be an active LGBTQ+ ally in both professional and personal contexts. Designed for individuals at any stage of their allyship journey, this conversation moves beyond theory to deliver:
- Everyday actions that signal respect and create safer, more inclusive spaces
- Workplace strategies to support LGBTQ+ colleagues through policy, culture, and leadership
- Common missteps and how to navigate them with humility and growth
- Sustainable practices to avoid allyship fatigue and maintain long-term impact
Led by experts, this session is a judgment-free space to learn, ask questions, and leave with a renewed sense of clarity and confidence.
Whether you're a manager, colleague, friend, or family member, you’ll walk away with tangible tools to be a more thoughtful and effective ally—365 days a year.