Special promotional content provided by Madison Public Library.
On Thursday, June 24, Madison Public Library and the All of Us Program at UW-Madison are hosting a virtual event called Take Pride in Your Care. This free event will feature speaker Jacqueline Boyd, founder of The Care Plan, as she shares how members of LGBTQ+ community can create better health and aging experiences.
The presentation will center around the importance of chosen family, some challenges people who identify as LGBTQ+ can face when seeking healthcare, and strategies for finding the right provider for your needs. Attendees will learn about self-advocacy in a medical setting, planning for care, and tips for long term wellness. Local resources such as the OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center and the recently published LGBTQ+ Wellness Guide from Madison Public Library will be highlighted.
Presenter Jacqueline Boyd is a long-time aging specialist and LGBTQ+ advocate. Her passion for health and aging started when she was a Certified Nursing Assistant in college.
“Working in nursing homes gave me a deep appreciation for the struggles my LGBTQ+ community has faced throughout the aging process,” said Boyd. “The swift physical and cognitive changes and the lack of clear resources or advice left too many families in the dark about how to best support their loved ones. Empathy for that pain and uncertainty is what made me want to start The Care Plan and it still guides my actions today. I’m excited to share some of the practical knowledge I’ve gained of the healthcare system at this event.”
This event is sponsored by New Chapters in Community Health, a partnership between Madison Public Library, Wisconsin Book Festival, and the All of Us Research Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With an intentional focus on African American, Latinx, LGBTQ+ and rural audiences, the event series explores topics crucial to the health and wellbeing of many in Wisconsin who have felt like they don’t have a voice.
“As we continue offering more health and wellness programming at Madison Public Library, it is important to us that we incorporate events that speak to and are informed by marginalized communities,” said Community Engagement Coordinator Annie Weatherby-Flowers. “The New Chapters in Community Health series has been a way for us to start and continue important discussions that acknowledge and address the disparities faced by these groups. The Take Pride in Your Care event is a great example of that because we’re able to connect people with local resources and provide tangible strategies for improving your healthcare experience as an LGBTQ+-identified person or ally.”
Learn more about the event and sign up at: madpl.org/pride
Discover other events around health and wellness at: madpl.org/live-well
