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Australian experts, researchers, advocates, health professionals and members of the community will converge online on November 4 as the 5th annual LGBTIQ Women鈥檚 Health Conference kicks off. The conference is the only one of its kind dedicated to exploring and addressing issues of health and wellbeing of queer women in Australia.

Led by ACON and Thorne Harbour Health, this year鈥檚 event features a key note presentation of survey findings by UnLEASH – a research team focusing on queer women鈥檚 health in regards to smoking, drinking and drugs.聽

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to be back in 2021 for our first virtual LGBTIQ Women鈥檚 Health Conference, once again bringing health, social and other pressing issues impacting LGBTIQ women into focus,鈥� Karen Price, Deputy CEO of ACON, said in a press release.

This year鈥檚 theme is 鈥極ur Health Matters鈥�, which the organizers reveal includes addressing and sharing insights on health issues such as sexual and gender identity, sexual health, mental health, violence and safety, tobacco and drug use, alcohol consumption and cancer screening behaviour.

An Increased Focus on Diversity聽

Although COVID-19 restrictions this year have forced the conference to take place online for the first time, organisers plan to focus on the benefits and accessibility that comes with the digital format. Previous conferences have attracted roughly 400 attendees and it is estimated that the virtual presentation will increase the number of participants.

鈥淥ur LGBTIQ women鈥檚 communities are rich and diverse. This national conference provides an important place for us to celebrate our communities, showcase contemporary research and best practice, and ensure the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ women are centred in our collective health responses. The fact that the conference is going online this year makes it even easier to participate,鈥� Carolyn Gillespie, Thorne Harbour Health Director of Services, said in the press release.

It is not only the conference鈥檚 accessibility that organisers want to draw attention to, but inclusion, diversity and access will also be on the agenda for discussions on November 4, alongside celebrating all members of Australia鈥檚 female 17c起草社区I community, such as Aboriginal women, Sistergirls, women of color, intersex women, trans and gender diverse women and women with disabilities.

鈥淥ver the course of 2021, there have been plenty of discussions of systemic failures to advance women鈥檚 safety and equity. Diversity in these stories haven鈥檛 always been prominent, so it has never been more important for us to come together. We know we need focussed opportunities that elevate lived experience, expertise, research and ideas to make progress with and for our communities,鈥� Price added in the press release.