The UMHS Pride Network evolved out of an expressed need identified by members of the UMHS Diversity Advisory Team. In 2005, a lack of resources and visible representation for TBLG employees and patients at the University of Michigan was noted. As a result, the UMHS Pride Network established the following goals: 1) outreach to TBLG faculty, staff, and patients through education, awareness, and resources, 2) ensure an inclusive environment for all who work at the Health System, and 3) provide culturally competent care for the TBLG patient population.
Faculty and staff were invited to meet and discuss these goals, and what started as a small group has grown to a network of almost 160 faculty and staff who meet monthly. Pride Network members represent a variety of disciplines, departments, and off-site facilities, including nursing, social work, allied health, administration, and research.
To achieve the goals of the UMHS Pride Network, several strategies were identified: 1) a bulletin board on display outside the cafeteria to increase visibility on TBLG and ally issues, 2) a brown bag panel discussion on the Health Care Experience from the TBLG patient's perspective, 3) information tables during National Coming Out Week and National TBLG Health Awareness Week, and 4) CTools was implemented as a forum for dialogue and to communicate resources, lectures, and events that support TBLG staff, students, patients and families, and their allies.
Furthermore, the Pride Network has initiated two projects. First, the Safe Zone project will provide trainings on TBLG issues to UMHS staff as part of a visibility campaign. Safe Zone participants will display stickers and pins to declare areas around them to be "safe" for UMHS patients, staff and faculty to be open about their identity and/or sexual orientation. Participants will not be expected to be "experts" but rather be willing and open-minded to act as a resource point, and stand up against homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism.
The second project in process is a comprehensive list of health care providers who understand and are sensitive to the needs of transgendered, bisexual, lesbian, and gay people as it is clear that being out to one's health care provider is important to ensure receiving proper health care. The healthcare providers listed will have indicated a commitment to non-judgmental care of TBLG patients.
If you would like additional information about the UMHS Pride Network, please visit
http://www.med.umich.edu/pridenetwork/index.htm |
