Office of Inclusive Excellence Newsletter
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MESSAGE FROM THE ASSOCIATE DEAN |
June invites us to hold multiple truths at once. As we recognize both Pride Month and Men’s Health Month, we are reminded that health and the experience of being seen within healthcare, is not one-size-fits-all.
When we talk about men’s health, we often default to a narrow lens. Yet, men are not a monolithic group. The health experiences of gay, bisexual, transgender, and gender-diverse individuals, many of whom may identify as men, are shaped by complex factors including stigma, access, language, and whether they feel affirmed in care settings. Inclusive excellence asks us to pause and consider: Who is included when we say “men’s health,” and who is unintentionally left out?
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HEALTH EQUITY FOCUS OF THE MONTH |
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Expanding the Lens of Men's Health
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We have an important opportunity this month to broaden how we understand men’s health, identity, and access to care. Traditional conversations about men’s health often focus on preventive screenings, cardiovascular health, mental health, and help-seeking behaviors; these are important. However, an inclusive excellence lens invites us to ask whose experiences are included in those conversations and whose may be overlooked.
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Dr. Billy Mullins focuses on inclusion in the mental health course through discussion on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and the use of personal pronouns. He focuses on the promotion of patient safety through discussion of legal name versus preferred name and sex / sex assigned at birth. The purpose is to promote awareness, patient safety and achievement of optimal patient outcomes.
Dr. Mullins' scholarship focuses on the nursing workforce with an emphasis on men in nursing. His most recent grant funded research is exploring the career paths of men entering the nursing profession. Dr. Mullins is collaborating with Dr. Roberson to edit a book focusing on men's health. He has also joined a research team on a grant funded study focusing on prostate health awareness in vulnerable patient populations. The purpose of these scholarship activities is to encourage and mentor men in the nursing profession and promote men's health.
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Pride Month and Men’s Health Month both remind us that health is shaped not only by individual choices, but also by safety, access, trust, identity, and belonging. Preventive care matters; people are more likely to seek care when they believe they will be respected. Affirming care begins with curiosity and humility. Asking about names, pronouns, support systems, bodies, relationships, and health goals helps reduce assumptions and improves communication. These practices are part of safe, person-centered care.
The video two clips below help you to consider how to have those crucial healthcare conversations with your providers.
This is a video clip from personal interview with retired NBA player, Dwayne Wade
Ahead of the Curve: The Health Conversations Men Need to Have | Men's Health x NYU Langone Health (~30 min)
LGBTQ+ Health: What You Need to Know (~15 min)
This video clip is geared more toward providers/caregivers on why gender neutral care is so important in healthcare.
Gender Neutral Healthcare (~10 min)
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VOICES OF INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE |
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Dr. Anthony (Tony) Roberson's research focuses on access to psychiatric mental health care for youth, particularly minorities. Minority youth in the United States experience significant inequalities in access to mental health services compared to their non-minority peers. Barriers such as poverty, lack of insurance coverage, transportation difficulties, shortages of culturally competent providers, and stigma related to mental illness contribute to lower rates of diagnosis and seeking treatment among minority populations. African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, and some Asian American youth are less likely to receive early intervention or consistent mental health care, even when symptoms are severe. Language barriers, distrust of healthcare systems and providers, and cultural beliefs about mental health illness further limits engagement with services.
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Upcoming & Future Conferences |
| DATE / TIME | TOPIC | DESCRIPTION | LOCATION |
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| June 8-12, 2026 |
WorkPride |
WorkPride 2026 is a FREE global event series for professionals, graduates, inclusive employers, and anyone committed to workplace equality. | Virtual | | June 27, 2026 | 11:00AM - 2:00PM |
2026 Men's Health Summit |
The 2026 Men's Health Summit focuses on comprehensive well-being, including physical, emotional, and financial health for men and their families, featuring expert speakers on topics like wellness and wealth management. | Cleveland, OH | | July 21-23, 2026 |
Equality Federation Leadership Conference |
Leadership Conference is where LGBTQ+ leaders, advocates, and funders from across the country come together for three powerful days of connection, learning, and movement building. | Baltimore, MD | | September 17-19, 2026 |
GLMA's 44th Annual Conference on LGBTQ+ Health |
The premier interdisciplinary scientific conference dedicated to advancing health equity for LGBTQ+ communities. | Seattle, WA |
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This FREE Men’s Health Day event will feature informational displays, health screenings, guest speakers, and other opportunities for men and their families to connect with local health and wellness providers. Pre-registration for this event is strongly encouraged.
- Date: June 6, 2026
Time: 9:00AM - 1:00PM
- Location: Garvey Senior Activity Center | Leonardtown, MD
- Register here
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The FREE 2026 Men’s Health Forum: The Impact of Food Insecurity will discuss the impacts of food insecurity on the health of young men and adult men.
- Date: June 6, 2026
Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM
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Location: Seat Pleasant Activity Center | Seat Pleasant, MD
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The Loudon Pride Festival is Northern Virginia's largest LGBTQIA+ festival that features live music, vendors, community building and focuses on safety, inclusivity, and celebration with covered bazaar-style tents, a dining hall, and drag story time.
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Date: June 6, 2026
Time: 12:00PM - 6:00PM
- Location: Ida Lee Park | Leesburg, VA
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General Admission Tickets here
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Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month with a FREE screening of the To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar.
- Date: June 6, 2026
Time: 3:00PM - 6:00PM
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Location: Alamo Draft House DC - Crystal City | Arlington, VA
- Register here
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Celebrate diversity, inclusion, visibility and acceptance at Takoma Pride Parade and Street Fair. All are invited to join in this family-friendly event!
Date: June 7, 2026
Time: 10:00AM - 2:00PM
- Location: Takoma Park, MD
- Parade: 201 Ethan Allen Avenue
- Street Fair: 6929 Laurel Ave
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Celebrate 51 Years of Baltimore Pride from June 8-14, 2026 and embrace the theme "Charm City Homecoming: Pride Lives Here," celebrating LGBTQ+ joy and activism with events organized by the Pride Center of Maryland.
Date: June 8-14, 2026
- View Full Schedule here
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The FREE Capital Pride Festival will be the final electrifying day during the celebration weekend. The Festival will feature hundreds of vibrant exhibitors, skilled artisans, delicious food, and beverage gardens. Visit here for tickets to events June 7-21, 2026.
- Date: June 21, 2026
- Time: 12:00PM - 10:00PM
- Location: America’s Mainstreet | Pennsylvania Avenue NW | Washington, DC
- 2026 Celebration Event Tickets here
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Join Pride In The Plaza, Montgomery County's FREE annual celebration of diverse LGBTQIA+ communities, for a day filled with fun and festivities.
Date: June 28, 2026
- Time: 12:00PM - 8:00PM
- Location: Veterans Plaza | Silver Spring, MD
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Register here
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CALL TO REFLECTION OR ACTION |
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This space will feature a prompt designed to help you grow in relationship with yourself and others. Here is June's reflection prompt:
As we reflect on Pride Month and Men’s Health Month this month, consider:
When we teach, practice, or design care environments, how do we ensure that “men’s health” includes all men and masculine-identifying people?
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