Fairfield, CT - In celebration of June, gay pride month, residents in Fairfield County can meet LGBT-friendly and knowledgeable health and wellness providers, participate in demonstrations and win prizes during a first-of-its kind fair to be held in the Barone Campus Center at Fairfield University on Saturday, June 16 from 11:00am to 3:00pm. Nearly 30 health and wellness providers will be available to meet with the local community.
The event is free and open to the public.
Providers include fertility specialists, recovery and mental health facilities, mental health professionals, holistic practitioners, personal trainers, career counselors, community centers, and more. The fair will be open from 11:00am and 3:00pm. There will also be 20-minute breakout sessions where providers will give helpful tips or detailed information about their services (information will be available online at www.prideandwellness.org/event).
Pride & Wellness is organized by Dr. Erica Hartwell, a licensed marriage and family therapist and an assistant professor at Fairfield University, and staffed by volunteers from the community.
She explains, “LGBT people experience significant health disparities, including obesity, certain diseases, substance use, anxiety, depression, and suicide. These health disparities are linked to experiences of stigma and discrimination, particularly in healthcare settings. More than half of all LGBT people experience some form of discrimination in a healthcare setting. When that happens, they are 3x less likely to return for follow-up care.”
LGBT people often experience challenges when looking for safe and knowledgeable healthcare providers and currently in Fairfield County there is not a central directory or listing of LGBT-focused providers. Pride & Wellness was designed to connect LGBT individuals in Fairfield County with safe, friendly, and knowledge healthcare providers.
For more information or questions about the event, please visit www.prideandwellness.org or email Erica at erica@prideandwellness.org.