We believe in the advocacy, resilience, and care for LGBTQIA+ Peoples of Color mental health.

The theme “Tenacity and Agelessness in Healing” acknowledges that our older adult LGBTQ+ people of color community members possess a wealth of knowledge and experience with invaluable contributions to our societies and cultures.

The sub-theme “Considering LGBTQ+ Older Adults of Color Mental Health and Wellness” helps direct the focus of the 2022 Conference.

Living in a youth-focused society and culture, many of our older adults are struggling, and the many imposed COVID-restrictions only amplified and exacerbated their struggle.

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The Conference brings together an ambitious program to discuss mental health, age-related challenges, and offers an insight into Afri-centric perspectives. As we invite you to check the program, we will be raising and discussing the mental health of Indigenous, Black and People of Color, and people living with HIV; and to learn from the resilience of community members who navigated both the HIV Epidemic and the COVID pandemic, and to better understand the health needs of aging Black Lesbians. We will also touch upon the challenges of aging LGBTQ+ older adults of color, the lack of representation in dating apps, loneliness, and the legacy of everlasting love. The Conference opens and closes with Native American invocations, and brings us together for a multi-generational discussion, for understand how to live our best lives, gracefully and survive.

We are expecting LGBTQ+ seniors of color, high school seniors and college students, faculty and administration, community stakeholders, local municipalities, county and state wide governments’ Departments of Health, K-12 administrators, teachers and social workers/counselors, private practice and public therapists, licensed clinical social workers, counselors, and case managers; and interested parties from the surrounding New York Tri State, the country, and internationally.

The Conference features 45-minute Speaker presentations to establish common starting points, which will be followed by 75-minute concurrent single/stand-alone, small group webinars – some geared for clinicians, and others for community members. For eligible presentations and in accordance with NY State Department of Education requirements, Callen-Lorde Community Health Center returns as a Sponsor and provides Continuing Education Credits/Units for LCSWs and LMSWs.

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IMM2022 is broadcast live for you to enjoy from the comfort of your place, or with community, in one of the numerous locations across NYC.
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