Pride Month, recognized each June, commemorates the years of struggle for civil rights and the ongoing pursuit of equal justice under the law for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, as well as the accomplishments of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Ballad Health, as part of its values, supports equality and treating everyone with respect. This applies to patients and visitors to our facilities but also to fellow team members. As healthcare workers, we’re all in this together and no one should be ostracized, harassed or treated unfairly due to their sexual orientation or gender preference.
A few facts about Pride Month
June is federally recognized as Pride Month.
The original organizers chose this month to pay homage to the Stonewall uprising in June 1969 in New York City, which helped spark the modern gay rights movement. A police raid at the Stonewall Inn, an LGBTQ bar, led to riots and protests against harassment and unfair treatment of the gay community.
A year later, a march was held on the anniversary of the raid. The gay rights movement took shape from there, modeled after the civil rights movement and the women’s rights movement.
Gaining respect and equality
The LGBTQ+ community has made great progress in the fight for equality, but there’s still a long way to go. Many states lack protections for fundamental rights and dignity for LGBTQ+ people.
- Discrimination, bullying and acts of violence still occur at an alarming rate.
- Studies show that discrimination has been associated with high rates of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse and suicide. Experiences of violence and victimization are frequent for LGBTQ+ individuals.
- There are also disparities in physical health. A study by the National Institute of Health concludes that a lack of training on the part of healthcare providers “can perpetuate prejudice and discrimination, resulting in suboptimal medical care and an increased incidence of diseases and their risk factors.”
At Ballad Health, our goal is to create a healthcare delivery system that cares for all people and their unique needs. It’s important for all team members to make sure everyone — including the LGBTQ+ community – has proper access to healthcare and there are no health disparities.
Ballad Health Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Ballad Health has a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee comprising three subcommittees of team members from across the system who volunteer their time – outside their normal work duties – to serve on the team.
The committee is divided into three teams:
- Religion, Race, Age and Culture (RRAC) Team – Dedicated to issues involving race, religion, age and culture
- Healthcare Equality (HCE) Team – Focusing on respectful healthcare for all, including LGBTQ+ issues
- Interpreter/Communications Services – Dedicated to eliminating communication and language barriers
If you’d like to know more about Ballad Health’s DEI committee, or if you are interested in getting involved, please visit our site on the Ballad Health intranet, or call 423-302-1573.
Pride Month event on Saturday, June 24
The second annual Rainbow Festival in Johnson City, sponsored by the Pride Community & Education Center, is coming up on Saturday, June 24, at the Pavilion at Founders Park. It offers seven live musical acts, vendors, food trucks and more. For more information, visit https://pridetricities.com/.
