In January, I was diagnosed with Prediabetes. I have never had any major health issues before, and though a relatively minor and completely manageable diagnosis, this was my first truly negative experience seeking healthcare – irrelevant questions about my sexual health/history, denial and disregard of symptoms, rushing of appointments. I am grateful to have had healthcare coverage, support, and the ability to educate myself during this process – and I am incredibly privileged to have not had distrust of medical care providers instilled in me due to my previous positive experiences; yet to not be heard out while trying to figure out what was wrong made me feel as if I could not trust my body. Training for this marathon – and fitness in general – has provided me with a lot of solace during this time. Of course, fitness is imperative to manage anyone's overall health, but it has allowed me to regain trust in my body and what it is capable of doing – and the confidence in my trust that I now know I can wield in the future to advocate for myself.

Prediabetes – and consequently Type II Diabetes – is just another example of the urgent need for increased equity in healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals. Not only are the markers for these diseases (e.g. obesity, high blood pressure, kidney/heart disease, and STRESS) and the diseases themselves more commonplace in LGBTQ+ communities, there is no way they can be addressed if someone is struggling to obtain the care they need to survive (e.g. gender-affirming care). How can we expect our community to prosper if it is so difficult to get the care folks need to live? We need to provide access to inclusive, affirmative, and exceptional healthcare so our community can continue to not just survive, but also thrive. 

OutCare Health is an incredible organization that is working to provide equitable healthcare to LGBTQ+ folks across the country – including states in which there are an immense amount of hurdles and barriers preventing LGBTQ+ folks from trusting and utilizing the healthcare system. They provide resources to patients, like the OutList® LGBTQ+ Affirming Provider Directory, and organize and educate medical practitioners to continue to develop a healthcare system that provides queer people with the care they need. Simply, they are working to ensure that every LGBTQ+ person has access to quality healthcare and feels empowered to live their healthiest, most authentic life.

I will be matching my time in the marathon to contribute to the fundraiser (e.g. if I run a 3:59:42 marathon, I will donate $359.42), and I will be hosting a charity Solidcore class on my birthday. I hope that I can count on you to contribute $26 – or whatever you can donate – to OutCare Health for my 26th Birthday Fundraiser as I run 26 miles!