Supporting LGBTQIA+ Community Organizations: Advocating for Inclusivity and Equality
BILH Collaborations with LGBTQIA+ Organizations
Beth Israel Lahey Health (BILH) is dedicated to providing care that respectful, inclusive, and affirming of LGBTQIA+ patients. BILH collaborates with organizations who advocate, treat and support LGBTQIA+ individuals, including Plymouth Pride, Link House and Fenway Health.
Plymouth Pride
Plymouth Pride celebrates the diversity and unity within our community. The organization promotes equality and inclusivity through events and volunteering, while fostering education, awareness, respect, and visibility for everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as our partners, friends and families.
Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth sponsors and provides resources and information at the annual Pride Festival, this year held on June 30, 11 am – 5 pm at Nelson Park in Plymouth; for more information, visit their website.
Children and Teen Center for Help at the Link House
Anna Jaques Hospital (AJH) is proud to fund CATCH Program through a three-year Community Health Initiative grant to Link House to support behavioral health and substance use initiatives aimed at improving the health and well-being of community members throughout Greater Newburyport.
Children and Teen Center for Help’s (CATCH) seeks to empower and support children, teens, and their families to understand and nurture their mental well-being. Their team of experienced, compassionate, and skilled providers works closely with children ages 5 to 18 and their families to understand the unique needs of every child and to nurture their mental well-being.
CATCH providers are experienced in supporting young people whose mental well-being is particularly at risk, including LGBTQ+ children and teens. They are a safe space for kids in therapy who are questioning their identity/sexuality and/or are in the LGBTQIA+ community.
“Link House is proud to partner with AJH through our therapeutic outpatient program, CATCH to support kids 5-18 experiencing issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, and gender dysphoria,” says Chris Turner, Executive Director, Link House. “We know that this population is more than four times as likely to engage in suicidal behavior and twice as likely to suffer from a substance use disorder than their peers. Lower rates of suicidality are evident when there is access to affirming spaces, like the CATCH program. We are a part of the social safety net for all kids in need of behavioral healthcare. Our partnership and funding through AJH is crucial to providing these lifesaving services to the least supported members of our community.”
Fenway Health
A valuable member of BILH, Fenway Health is a community health center that advocates for and delivers innovative, equitable, accessible health care, supportive services, and transformative research and education. We center LGBTQIA+ people, BIPOC individuals, and other underserved communities to enable our local, national, and global neighbors to flourish.
Fenway Health is a national leader in LGBTQIA+ health care, wellness, research, education and advocacy. Fenway provides safe, comprehensive care, including family medicine, behavioral health care, OB/GYN, optometry, dentistry and more.
One of BILH's affiliated health centers, Fenway Health ensure access to primary and specialty care, behavioral health, and oral health for diverse patient populations, including the vulnerable and underserved. Learn more about Fenway Health.
