Oct. 11 event will support LGBTQIA+ equity, inclusion
Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services (MHDS) will hold a free community event Wednesday, Oct. 11 to offer support, access to resources and a sense of belonging among the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Visible Video Series, Panel Discussion & Vendor Fair will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Henrico Theatre, 305 E. Nine Mile Road, in conjunction with National Coming Out Day.
The vendor fair will open and close the event and will give youth and families access to inclusive and affirming resources and connect them with safe spaces and opportunities for community building.
A showing of Visible: Behavioral Health Equity in Henrico will begin about 6:30 p.m. The nine-part video series promotes acceptance and understanding by highlighting such issues as expansion of the traditional LGBTQ acronym, the use of pronouns, health equity and other challenges. The series, produced by Henrico County Public Relations in partnership with MHDS, debuted in June for LGBTQ Pride Month.
After the video presentation, a representative of the Committee for the Advancement of Rights and Equity (CARE) will lead a panel discussion featuring individuals with personal and professional experience with issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community.
The event is supported through a grant from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to promote inclusion of local LGBTQIA+ youth and to raise awareness about the challenges and barriers faced by queer youth and adults.
More information is available through Henrico’s Multicultural Community Engagement webpage or by calling (804) 727-8053.
