Fairfield Pride & Wellness Fair Combats LGBTQ Health Disparities

FAIRFIELD, CT — A Pride and Wellness Fair is taking place Sunday at the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club in Southport with the intention of bringing awareness and resource options to the LGBTQ community.

The Triangle Community Center of Norwalk, which aims to provide programming and resources to aid LGBTQ individuals, is the main host of the event, along with the nonprofit Gay Parents to Be.

“LGBTQ-plus people experience significant health disparities,” explained Leah Juliett, community engagement manager for the center.

Among these, she said, are anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation, as well as obesity and certain illnesses.

“Many of these health disparities are due to the experiences of stigma and discrimination,” she said.

Consequently, Juliett said, the center is hoping to make a wide range of understanding vendors and safe professionals available to visitors to answer questions, introduce options, and generally connect with people at the fair, which runs from noon to 3 p.m.

“Recent research shows that more than half of all LGBTQ-plus people experience some form of discrimination in a health care setting,” she said. “When that happens they are three times less likely to return for follow-up care.”

She said that places like gymnasiums, doctor’s offices, and therapist’s facilities should not be where individuals are burdened with additional stressors and stigmas.

“In order to combat the mental and physical effects of stigma and discrimination, LGBTQ-plus folks need knowledgeable and affirmative health and wellness providers,” Juliett said.

Along with different mental health providers, exercise and fitness experts, and recovery resources, a range of social service organizations will also be represented, including Planned Parenthood, Circle Care Center, and the American Cancer Society.

Juliett acknowledged the partnership with Gay Parents to Be for the event, which she said they intend to repeat again.

“We have hosted the event in the past and plan to continue to meet our community needs for years to come,” she said.