LGBTQ+ Health Community

This year Sigma's Biennial Convention is in Texas. Below is my email response to the invitation. I'm curious about others' thoughts about attending conferences in general, in states that are active in anti-lgbtqia+ legislation.

My response:

Unfortunately, I will not attend the Biennial Convention in November because of Texas's discriminatory policies and laws targeting LGBTQIA+ residents. The consequences of Texas's anti- LGTBQIA+ legislation are incredibly harmful and, in some cases, deadly. As a queer person and a nurse, I can not in good conscience support a state actively trying to injure and erase an already vulnerable population. In the future, I hope Sigma will choose States and venues that support protecting people, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

This year Sigma's Biennial Convention is in Texas. Below is my email response to the invitation. I'm curious about others' thoughts about attending conferences in general, in states that are active in anti-lgbtqia+ legislation.

My response:

Unfortunately, I will not attend the Biennial Convention in November because of Texas's discriminatory policies and laws targeting LGBTQIA+ residents. The consequences of Texas's anti- LGTBQIA+ legislation are incredibly harmful and, in some cases, deadly. As a queer person and a nurse, I can not in good conscience support a state actively trying to injure and erase an already vulnerable population. In the future, I hope Sigma will choose States and venues that support protecting people, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

This year Sigma's Biennial Convention is in Texas. Below is my email response to the invitation. I'm curious about others' thoughts about attending conferences in general, in states that are active in anti-lgbtqia+ legislation.

My response:

Unfortunately, I will not attend the Biennial Convention in November because of Texas's discriminatory policies and laws targeting LGBTQIA+ residents. The consequences of Texas's anti- LGTBQIA+ legislation are incredibly harmful and, in some cases, deadly. As a queer person and a nurse, I can not in good conscience support a state actively trying to injure and erase an already vulnerable population. In the future, I hope Sigma will choose States and venues that support protecting people, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

i absolutely agree with this sentiment - I would see a refusal to host events in hostile legislative environments as a mark of solidarity with, rather than poor reflection on LGBTQI+ nurses and allies in that state.

Of note, and in some ways more concerning, the Sigma International Research Conference is being held in a country which has a significant prison sentence for homosexual acts.

It would be understandable to question Sigma's commitment to LGBTQI+ rights 

This year Sigma's Biennial Convention is in Texas. Below is my email response to the invitation. I'm curious about others' thoughts about attending conferences in general, in states that are active in anti-lgbtqia+ legislation.

My response:

Unfortunately, I will not attend the Biennial Convention in November because of Texas's discriminatory policies and laws targeting LGBTQIA+ residents. The consequences of Texas's anti- LGTBQIA+ legislation are incredibly harmful and, in some cases, deadly. As a queer person and a nurse, I can not in good conscience support a state actively trying to injure and erase an already vulnerable population. In the future, I hope Sigma will choose States and venues that support protecting people, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

This year Sigma's Biennial Convention is in Texas. Below is my email response to the invitation. I'm curious about others' thoughts about attending conferences in general, in states that are active in anti-lgbtqia+ legislation.

My response:

Unfortunately, I will not attend the Biennial Convention in November because of Texas's discriminatory policies and laws targeting LGBTQIA+ residents. The consequences of Texas's anti- LGTBQIA+ legislation are incredibly harmful and, in some cases, deadly. As a queer person and a nurse, I can not in good conscience support a state actively trying to injure and erase an already vulnerable population. In the future, I hope Sigma will choose States and venues that support protecting people, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

This year Sigma's Biennial Convention is in Texas. Below is my email response to the invitation. I'm curious about others' thoughts about attending conferences in general, in states that are active in anti-lgbtqia+ legislation.

My response:

Unfortunately, I will not attend the Biennial Convention in November because of Texas's discriminatory policies and laws targeting LGBTQIA+ residents. The consequences of Texas's anti- LGTBQIA+ legislation are incredibly harmful and, in some cases, deadly. As a queer person and a nurse, I can not in good conscience support a state actively trying to injure and erase an already vulnerable population. In the future, I hope Sigma will choose States and venues that support protecting people, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

I know I am late to this conversation, but I have to agree with Katherine Kries and say that as a nurse and researcher in LGBTQ+ health here in Texas, please don't paint the entire state with this broad brush. There are many LGBTQIA+ folks in Texas who need to see nurses present and helping them, even just seeing them. They feel invisible in our current culture. Showing up and speaking up is the answer. 

I hope you all will attend and add your voice.

This year Sigma's Biennial Convention is in Texas. Below is my email response to the invitation. I'm curious about others' thoughts about attending conferences in general, in states that are active in anti-lgbtqia+ legislation.

My response:

Unfortunately, I will not attend the Biennial Convention in November because of Texas's discriminatory policies and laws targeting LGBTQIA+ residents. The consequences of Texas's anti- LGTBQIA+ legislation are incredibly harmful and, in some cases, deadly. As a queer person and a nurse, I can not in good conscience support a state actively trying to injure and erase an already vulnerable population. In the future, I hope Sigma will choose States and venues that support protecting people, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

I know I am late to this conversation, but I have to agree with Katherine Kries and say that as a nurse and researcher in LGBTQ+ health here in Texas, please don't paint the entire state with this broad brush. There are many LGBTQIA+ folks in Texas who need to see nurses present and helping them, even just seeing them. They feel invisible in our current culture. Showing up and speaking up is the answer. 

I hope you all will attend and add your voice.

This year Sigma's Biennial Convention is in Texas. Below is my email response to the invitation. I'm curious about others' thoughts about attending conferences in general, in states that are active in anti-lgbtqia+ legislation.

My response:

Unfortunately, I will not attend the Biennial Convention in November because of Texas's discriminatory policies and laws targeting LGBTQIA+ residents. The consequences of Texas's anti- LGTBQIA+ legislation are incredibly harmful and, in some cases, deadly. As a queer person and a nurse, I can not in good conscience support a state actively trying to injure and erase an already vulnerable population. In the future, I hope Sigma will choose States and venues that support protecting people, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Thank you all for your responses. It is not a straightforward answer or a right/wrong response.

On the one hand, after North Carolina passed the "bathroom bill" in 2016, musicians and the NBA canceled their events, threatening billions of dollars in loss of revenue. Eventually, the law was repealed a year later. Significant events, like Sigma's conference, bring money to the state. Suppose organizations refuse to give business to a state because of their laws and policies. It sends a message of support and could help change policy and law. On the other hand, California recently repealed its travel ban to states with anti-LGBTQ laws simply because it has not worked.

It is essential to recognize that with states like Texas (and Florida, Montana, North Dakota, Arkansas, and Tennessee, to name a few more), LGBTQIA+ members of Sigma may not feel safe to attend. Sigma should take note and recognize this. This isn't about labeling a state as anti-lgbtq but calling out that Texas has lgbtq policies and laws that are harmful and even deadly. It by no means diminishes the active and good work being done to support the lgbtq community. I am very thankful to Katherine and Alison for the work that you do; it is needed more than ever at this time.

Thank you, James, especially for your perspective. You have witnessed and participated in the march towards equality as the Stonewall generation and the following generations have much to be grateful for your hard work and dedication. You have made some excellent points.

I hope to continue discussing how nurses and nursing organizations respond to anti-lgbtq legislation. What are your ideas?

I know I am late to this conversation, but I have to agree with Katherine Kries and say that as a nurse and researcher in LGBTQ+ health here in Texas, please don't paint the entire state with this broad brush. There are many LGBTQIA+ folks in Texas who need to see nurses present and helping them, even just seeing them. They feel invisible in our current culture. Showing up and speaking up is the answer. 

I hope you all will attend and add your voice.

This year Sigma's Biennial Convention is in Texas. Below is my email response to the invitation. I'm curious about others' thoughts about attending conferences in general, in states that are active in anti-lgbtqia+ legislation.

My response:

Unfortunately, I will not attend the Biennial Convention in November because of Texas's discriminatory policies and laws targeting LGBTQIA+ residents. The consequences of Texas's anti- LGTBQIA+ legislation are incredibly harmful and, in some cases, deadly. As a queer person and a nurse, I can not in good conscience support a state actively trying to injure and erase an already vulnerable population. In the future, I hope Sigma will choose States and venues that support protecting people, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.