U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Visits Richmond for LGBT Public Listening Session

President Obama Directs U.S. Department of Health & Human Services To Host Public Meeting At Virginia Commonwealth University To Explore Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health Issues What: LGBT Public Health Listening Session When:  Friday, October 26, 2012, Registration 9:30 a.m., Discussion 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Where:                 Virginia Commonwealth University, University Student Commons, Richmond Salons I and II, 907 Floyd Ave., Richmond, VA 23220 Who:    Hosted by Joanne Grossi, Regional Director, HHS Region III & co-sponsored by Equality Virginia.  Free and open to the public, all stakeholders, including States, patients, providers, employers, legislators, insurers, and any interested Americans are welcome.   Other senior HHS officials will be in attendance to listen to public feedback. Additional Information: The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) visits Virginia Commonwealth University on Friday, October 26 to for a listening tour exploring health issues relevant to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and lesbian community.  The event, co-sponsored by Equality Virginia, is free and open to the public. In 2010, President Obama issued a memorandum directing HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to make recommendations with respect to health and human services issues that affect LGBT individuals and their families. On April 1, 2011, HHS issued a comprehensive summary of recommendations to the President including advance directives, hospital visitation, HIV/AIDS strategy, adoption and foster regulations and affordable health care among others. The complete list can be found online here. In June of this year, the Department issued its first-ever LGBT Annual Report with details on exploring and solving issues relevant to the community. While the HHS endeavors have made progress in these areas, they continue to request input on what issues needs to be addressed to improve LGBT health. Registration is free and open to the public.  Send an email with name, organization, title, email address and phone number to Tiara Davis ([email protected]) by Wednesday, October 24^th or call 804.643.4816. Equality Virginia is a statewide, non-partisan education, outreach, and advocacy organization seeking equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Virginians.  Since 1989, EV has worked to end discrimination, protect families and build safe communities.  More information is online at EqualityVirginia.org.  Connect on Facebook.com/EqualityVA or Twitter @EqualityVA.