NASTAD’s Post

In addition to defending clients as part of the firm’s Product Liability Litigation Practice Group, Associate Bill Walberg is committed to representing the city’s vulnerable, including members of the LGBTQ+ community at risk for becoming unhoused. Bill is the president of the Board of Directors of SAVE Inc., a Kansas City-based organization that provides housing and emergency services to the city's most vulnerable populations facing homelessness, housing discrimination and other challenges.   SHOOK: How does SAVE Inc. support the LGBTQ+ community's housing needs?  WALBERG: SAVE Inc. started in 1985 as an eight-bed hospice facility, providing a place for those with HIV/AIDS to die with dignity. It was the only facility of its kind in the area at the time. As treatment for HIV has advanced and has no longer become a death sentence, SAVE has evolved into an organization that supports nearly all “high-risk” populations, including those with a history of mental illness and substance abuse. SAVE continues to provide supportive housing for individuals living with HIV and immediate shelter needs for those who identify as LGBTQ+.    SHOOK: Please describe your involvement with SAVE Inc. as president of its Board of Directors.  WALBERG: In short, my job is to connect the KC community with SAVE Inc. through programming and outreach. However, since our previous CEO left, my role has significantly expanded. I stepped in as an interim executive director and worked from the SAVE headquarters for about three months last year, alongside my incredible executive committee members. By the grace of God, we hired an incredible CEO, Patrick McLaughlin, who took over in November 2023. In addition to advising our new CEO, I have helped facilitate our various committees and programming, including HAVEN: the Way Home, which is SAVE’s new annual gala. We raised more than $350,000 and hope to build on that momentum into next year. Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2025 date and theme!   SHOOK: What are other ways allies could support the LGBTQ+ community?  WALBERG: Honestly, the best support from allies is through your words and actions in your daily lives. You can do something as simple as using a person's correct pronouns or speaking up if others in the room are criticizing Pride Month, the pride flag, trans people, drag queens, etc. Most people are not inherently bad; they are simply repeating what they heard from someone else or what they saw on the news. Engaging in a calm but direct conversation can begin to shift their mindset from the current vacuum and open them up to a dialogue. We are in a dark period for the LGBTQ+ community after many years of progress and allies standing up for the community is more important than ever. Learn more about Bill: https://lnkd.in/gTGj34-c **** #ShookPrideMonth #PrideMonth

Calling all Two Spirit, Indigiqueer, Native/Indigenous, and LGBTQPAI+ business owners & organizations! Apply to Los Angeles' only Two Spirit and Indigiqueer festival event that honors and celebrates all of our identities, culture, and heritage. This year's theme is "Love Your Status" as we will also be celebrating and observing National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day! Vendor fees are as follows: • Educational Non-profit Orgs......$FREE • For-Profit (single owners) & Non-Profit Orgs (Non-Educational)......$50 • Food Vendors......$100 • For-Profit (non-single owners)......$500 Indigenous Pride LA strives to make our events affordable for our Two Spirit, Indigiqueer, Native/Indigenous, queer, and trans business owners who are owned and operated by a single owner. Indigenous Pride LA is attended by more than 500 attendees and also has a virtual marketplace on our website the days of the event. The purpose of the virtual marketplace is to improve access of the vendors for those who cannot attend in-person and are still wanting to support local Two Spirit, Indigiqueer, Native/Indigenous, queer, and trans-owned businesses. For more information and to apply, visit our website at indigenouspridela.org. Hashtags to use: #IndigenousPrideLA #TwoSpirit #Indigiqueer #LoveYourStatus #HIV #AIDS #NNHAAD2024 #STI #KnowYourStatus #EndTheStigma #PrEP #UndetectableEqualsUntransmitable

⚛️ Today we mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science! Explore a special blog featuring Immediate Past IAS President Adeeba Kamarulzaman, IAS President Sharon Lewin and IAS President-Elect Beatriz Grinsztejn. 🌟 They share their inspiring journeys, discuss challenges, emphasize the crucial role of female scientists in the HIV response and offer valuable advice for the next generation of female scientists. #WomenScienceDay #STEM #HIV #WomeninScience #GirlsinScience

🌟 Addressing the Cancer Burden for LGBTQ+ Americans 🌟 A recent article by U.S. News highlights the alarming impact of stress and discrimination on the cancer burden faced by LGBTQ+ Americans. The article underscores a critical issue: LGBTQ+ individuals often face higher levels of stress and discrimination, which can contribute to an increased risk of cancer. This reality calls for urgent action and awareness within the healthcare community. At Hooks Consulting, LLC, we are committed to addressing these disparities through education and advocacy. Our training programs are designed to equip healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills needed to create supportive and inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ patients. By understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by this community, we can work towards reducing these health disparities and improving outcomes. Let’s work together to create a more equitable and compassionate healthcare system for everyone. #HealthcareEquity #LGBTQHealth #CancerAwareness #HooksConsulting #InclusiveCare #PatientAdvocacy #HealthDisparities

#LGBTQ+ individuals likely have a greater risk of cancer and fare worse than heterosexual patients because of numerous risk factors associated with the stress of systemic #discrimination, per recent reports issued by @American Cancer Society and published by @American Association for Cancer Research. #Oncologists need training on how to provide culturally competent care – and we need more research on how to develop specific treatments. #NationalCancerPreventionMonth #healthequity #cancerresearch #gayrights #innovation https://bit.ly/3T10hUZ

Where you live. Who you are. Where you come from. What you do. Who you love. These are called the social determinants of health, and they represent the many factors that may lead to inequities. They can unfairly stand between you and cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Access to life-saving #cancer diagnosis, treatment and care should be equitable for all. Watch 'Alcohol & perceptions of #cancer-risk among LGTBQ+ individuals,' the latest #NDARCWebinar online now. ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/g5xiCYdn #WorldCancerDay #CloseTheCareGap

this right here.

I just read an eye-opening article about the outdated FDA rules that stop gay and bisexual men from donating tissues like corneas. Even though there have been recent updates to organ and blood donation policies, the rules for tissue donations are still behind the times, causing a lot of unnecessary waste and frustration. Take Alexander “AJ” Betts Jr. as an example. His corneas were rejected because he was gay, even though his other organs went on to save lives. It's high time we update these tissue donation guidelines to match modern science and get rid of these outdated restrictions. Check out this article to see why change is needed. https://lnkd.in/gW-TYySJ Remember, organ and tissue donation saves lives. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/gnUB4nfK #HealthPolicy #OrganDonation #TissueDonation #LGBTQ #FDA #PublicHealth #DonateLife

This is why you should invest in smaller black and brown trans-led organizations that’s fighting to end HIV in Virginia. -Virginia is not included in the Grant cycle for the south,our access to funding is limited in Virginia being a rural area. -We are left off of the DMV, eastern Virginia is apart of the DMV,funders please pay close attention to rural stats that’s often left oout of funding. -Normalize building black and brown trans-led,woman of color nonprofits up for success and sustainability, funders fund an program with limited funding and 30% of the nonprofit budget,how can any organization be sustainable off of 30% of funding when your budget is growing with negative dollars. -Stop funding the same Founder/Executive Directors ,nonprofit,and for profits that’s worth millions and have revenue,fund newly established nonprofit organizations that has the foot work to provide. Please donate to: https://lnkd.in/gE5Ek_iT We are worthy please donate to support ETSI HEALTH CLINIC. (Ending Transmission of Sexual Infections ) work, stop discriminating because of my race and gender, we are providing care to everyone in the community. Amoretta Morris Darwin Thompson Jane Stafford Anique Hameed Graham MPA Tarnya Deloatch-McPhatter, MHA P. J. Moton-Poole, LMSW Randevyn Piérre Amber Hollowell🗣️ Shaun Mellors Sherry Norquist, MSN, RN,ACM Gilead Sciences ViiV Healthcare National Center for Transgender Equality Transgender Strategy Center Borealis Philanthropy Akil Meenakshi Sujenth Melissa Ramsey Jay Grant

This Women’s HERstory Month we’re excited to spotlight a few incredible “Game ChangeHER” organizations! Today is #InternationalWomensDay and with this year’s theme being “Inspire Inclusion,” these orgs are not just participating; they’re leading the charge, ensuring that Black women’s health is prioritized and valued. ✊🏾 Can we get a little commotion in the comments for these champions of health and inclusion?! ⬇️ Follow, engage, and amplify their message. And if you know more orgs making a difference, tag them in the comments! Let’s grow this community of support and empowerment together. ✨ In order of appearance: SisterLove: The oldest women-centered HIV and sexual & reproductive justice advocacy organization in Atlanta and the Southeast. Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. (BMMA): The Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) is a Black women-led cross-sectoral alliance that centers Black mamas and birthing people to advocate, drive research, build power, and shift culture for Black maternal health, rights, and justice. The White Dress Project, Inc.: As a non-profit organization, primarily made up of women with impactful fibroid journeys, we are uniquely positioned to educate, empower, and support those who are managing life with fibroids. SisterSong - SisterSong is a Southern based, national membership organization; their purpose is to build an effective network of individuals and organizations to improve institutional policies and systems that impact the reproductive lives of marginalized communities. GirlTREK - Far more than a walking group, GirlTREK is a life-saving sisterhood. They are a campaign to heal intergenerational trauma, fight systemic racism and transform Black lives. Health In Her HUE - a digital platform that connects Black women and women of color to culturally competent and sensitive healthcare providers, and offers health information and content that centers their lived experiences. 💖 #BlackWomensHealth #InspireInclusion #BWHI #WomensHistoryMonth #GameChangeHER #WomensHERstoryMonth