Headlines from the Constitution State
Monkeypox stereotyping
At a recent press conference, US Senator Richard Blumenthal criticized the federal government’s response to monkeypox.
As reported by Kay Perkins of Connecticut Public Radio, Blumenthal argued that the number of vaccines being sent out is not enough and pointed out how quickly COVID-19 spread from New York City to Connecticut. He urged President Biden to work toward making vaccines available more quickly via the Defense Production Act.
Others at the press conference urged the public to remember that anyone can get monkeypox, and that it can be transmitted in other ways than just sexually.
As Cadence Pentheny of the Triangle Community Center put it, “It creates a system of othering, where people who are not members of a certain group or identity community do not think they have to worry.’”
‘Night of 1,000 Smiles’
On September 24, the Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Chamber is hosting “A Night of 1,000 Smiles,” a gala to celebrate their 15th year.
The event, which takes place at the Fox Tower at the Foxwoods Casino and Resort, includes a drag show, a dance competition, a silent auction and a dinner.
According to their website, “The Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Chamber has its roots in the Connecticut community due to its previous life existing as the Connecticut Alliance for Business Opportunities. CABO has been a fundamental part of our business Community since its founding members opened the doors in October 2007.”
More: ctglc.org
Hartford Pride
Connecticut Latinos Achieving Rights and Opportunities (CLARO) is hosting this September’s annual Hartford Pride event.
The celebration begins on September 5 and will conclude with a concert and festival on Trumbull Street on September 10.
CLARO is dedicated to educating and promoting equality for the LGTBQI+ community to achieve rights, address homophobia, and discrimination. They aim to “accomplish these goals by mobilizing our community and partner agencies on issues like marriage equality, parental rights, anti-bullying policies, employment discrimination, hate violence, privacy rights, sexual education, adoption, and HIV/AIDS.”
More: HartfordPride.org
Heath Care equity leaders
Back in late March, the Human Rights Campaign released their 15th annual Healthcare Equality Index, the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey of policies and practices around inclusive and equitable treatment of LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees.
Many facilities across all six New England states scored well on the survey, with 23 facilities earning top scores, designating them “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leaders,” and nine of them are in Connecticut.
Among these top-scoring facilities are Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington, Griffin Hospital in Derby, Hartford Hospital, Illume Fertility in Norwalk, Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, MidState Medical Center in Meriden, Natchaug Hospital in Mansfield Center, Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain and Windham Hospital in Willimantic.
HRC also recognized 10 “Top Performers” in the state: St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, VA Connecticut Health Care System in West Haven, Wheeler Hartford, Anchor Health Initiative in Hampden, Bridgeport Hospital, Bristol Hospital, Greenwich Hospital, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London and Yale New Haven Hospital.
University of Connecticut Student Health and Wellness in Storrs and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford were noted for adopting foundational policies of LGBTQ+ inclusion and equitability. And UConn John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington was recognized for also working with HRC as a survey participant.
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