Networking Sessions

Networking was a key focus of Health in Difference 2010.

Health in Difference offered several opportunities for networking and shared information through:

• A Networking Notice Board (where participants were able to post business cards and information on projects and find out what else is happening)
• A Resources Table (participants could place one non-commercial item for others to take away. The resource table also allowed participants to gather material from others)
• Networking Sessions (which were held on Thursday afternoon: see below for more detail)
• Speed Networking (participants were invited on Friday and Saturday lunch time to meet their perfect networking partner. They could bring their business cards and speak for 1 minute on who they are, where they work and what they do)
• Self-initiated Networking Sessions (participants could arrange their own networking sessions in order to meet with like-minded people to discuss ideas)
• Welcome Reception (this casual gathering enabled conference participants a further opportunity to meet important new contacts and catch up with old ones. External guests were also welcome)

Thursday Networking Sessions

Networking Sessions were loosely structured gatherings that provided the opportunity for specific groups of people to come together, discuss issues important to them and generate and build ideas.

Generally, one or two volunteers facilitated each session, asking each participant to introduce themselves in some way and suggest some questions or topics for the group to discuss.

The networking sessions listed below were formed on the basis of expressions of interest by participants as they registered

Futher, self-initiated networking sessions were also encouraged to be held during Friday and Saturday lunchtimes.

Sessions were autonomous in the sense that participants were invited to attend if they identified as a member of that group.

The following networking sessions were held on Thursday:

•   Sex & Gender Diverse/Trans & Intersex People

Key messages from this session included: Intersex and gender/sex diverse people need their own funded/resourced support services (sometimes, but not always, GLB organisations might be suitable homes for these services); Intersex and gender/sex diverse people/groups need to work in partnership with GLB organisations and vice versa; Need to ensure that the interex and gender/sex diverse community is a sustainable one - that we look after each other, nurture/share what infrastructure/knowledge we have and encourage new leadership. Sustainable networking is key (possible role for the Alliance)

• Researchers

Key messages from this session included: LGBTI researchers and those engaged in LGBTI research face many challenges e.g. fringe area, lack of funding and isolation; we would like the establishment of a sustainable electronic networking environment and will encourage face to face meetings wherever possible; and we need to advocate for LGBTI networking opportunities at all conferences and advocate to funding bodies for greater consideration of LGBTI issues. There were many more great ideas and networking from this session.
More comprehensive documentation from the Researchers Networking Session can be downloaded or viewed here. Some of this session was also reflected upon in a special issue of the Gay and Lesbian Issues and Psychology, available for download here.

• People from "Multicultural" Backgrounds
• Bisexual People

Key messages from this session included: bisexual people remain a marginalised group within the GLBTIQ community; social research on how people identify and how they came to that identity label remains necessary; and we continue to need to confront biphobia within the GLBTIQ community.

• Aged LGBTI People and Those Working With Them
  Key messages from this session included: research into services (including the implementation of existing research findings), advocacy, standards, enforcement; LGBTIQ Seniors' Voices - seek them out, hear them, facilitate their inclusion (e.g. affordability, mobility); and LGBTIQ Communities need to take responsibility to increase their awareness, to actively value our seniors, get alongside them and support them by means of advocacy, and helping individuals and groups.
  More comprehensive documentation from the Ageing Networking Session can be downloaded or viewed here.
• Young LGBTI People and Those Working With Them
  Key messages from this session included: talking from the perspective of a hierarchy of needs for young people to develop and grow and thrive; and participants identified that young people are well supported in a social context but experience a lack of support (across the board) for their safety, security and physical needs.

Friday Self-initiated Networking Sessions

• Sex Workers and people working with them
• Lesbian Health