Pride, Not Prejudice

Pride, not prejudice conference
Developing inclusive practices of care for the LGBTQ+ community

In 2021 community advocates met and started a discussion regarding the need for mental health professionals to have a resource directed at empowering providers to provide inclusive care and thus enhancing access for individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ to engage in mental health and peer support resources in Lee County. Through much networking, planning and advocacy the first of its kind "Pride, Not Prejudice Conference" was born and presented with the support, backing and collaboration of Lee Health's Healthy Lee Behavioral Health Coalition in 2022. This conference was initially a half day event and in 2023 it grew to a full day conference bringing in over 120 mental health providers and community members all focused on one shared outcome of "depathologizing" gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and attraction. Now in 2024 the event has transitioned to our non-profit and we hope to make it even bigger and better!! To see more information on last year's conference please check out: https://healthylee.com/news-events/pride-not-prejudice/

Our 2024 Theme is "Love wins"

In response to current legislative attacks and an attempt to ignite division and fear among us, we have determined this year's conference will focus on the power of love in our community. Love being the driving factor that empowers us to stand up and advocate for a better world for not just the LGBTQ+ community, but our entire community. In our opinion LOVE is the only action strong enough to bring light to the darkness, education and empowerment over ignorance and hate, and a true sense of worth to those who are fighting mental wars within themselves on a day to day basis. This year's conference will highlight the importance of Love in spiritual spaces, how to love one another effectively and authentically, ways to love ourselves, and how LOVE is the true mechanism behind building community and brighter future for us all, because true and authentic love ALWAYS WINS!!

our 2024 community presenters