Pride in Prevention

PRIDE in Prevention: A Day of Connection, Care & Substance Use Prevention brings together LGBTQ+ community members, advocates, and prevention leaders for a morning event grounded in care, conversation, and collective action.
We will start with a breakfast and land acknowledgement, followed by a welcome and keynote centering structural harm, queer care, and why prevention is vital.
Participants will hear a brief panel conversation on LGBTQ+ substance use prevention—including tobacco industry targeting, opioid risk, behavioral health, incarceration, and structural violence—before moving into the heart of the event: interactive roundtable sessions hosted by our programs OUT Against Big Tobacco – LA and #Out4MentalHealth, in collaboration with Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural. These small-group discussions are designed to foster deeper dialogue, shared learning, and actionable strategies for community-led change.

We’ll close with a shared lunch and a presentation from the PRIDE Study, along with resources and opportunities to stay engaged. We hope you can join us as we reflect, build connections, and identify paths for community action.
Parking Info:
Street parking is accessible near the Connie Norman. Additional free parking can be found at Plumber Park at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90046.
COVID Safety:
For the safety and care of our community, masks will be available on site. While we will not have COVID-19 tests on hand, we kindly ask that you stay home if you are feeling unwell or experiencing any symptoms of illness. Your care for yourself helps protect everyone attending and supports our shared commitment to a healthy, affirming space.

Info: Join us as you check in and settle into the space. You’ll receive your assigned roundtable number and a color-coded name tag to indicate your photo comfort level. Enjoy a light breakfast, connect informally with fellow attendees, and be sure to grab your drawing ticket upon arrival!

Info: We’ll begin by grounding ourselves in place and purpose with a land acknowledgement and opening welcome. Together, we’ll walk through an overview of the day to ensure we move forward with shared understanding, care, and intention.

Info: A brief grounding message centering structural harm, queer care, and why substance use prevention matters in this moment.

Info: Theme: Structural Harm & LGBTQ+ Substance Use Prevention.

This timely conversation will explore how systemic inequities shape substance use outcomes in LGBTQ+ communities. Topics may include tobacco industry targeting, opioid risk and behavioral health, incarceration and structural violence, and what prevention rooted in care truly looks like.

We’ll close with a collective bridge question: How do we move from conversation into meaningful community action?

Info: We’ll provide brief instructions before inviting participants to move to their assigned tables. Worksheets will be distributed to guide discussion and reflection. We’ll also share an announcement about the Photovoice area and how to participate.

Info: Participants will engage in small-group discussions designed to deepen learning, share lived experiences, and identify pathways for action.
These interactive sessions center community voice and practical strategies for LGBTQ+ substance use prevention rooted in care and collective power.

Info: Take a moment to stretch, refresh, and connect. This light movement break offers space for informal networking and an opportunity to switch tables before the next session begins.

Info: Participants will rotate to the second program, continuing the conversation and building on insights from the first session. This round offers another opportunity for deeper dialogue, shared strategy, and collaborative thinking around LGBTQ+ substance use prevention and community care.

Info: We’ll reconvene as a full group to share key themes and insights from the roundtables, reflect on what emerged, and name collective takeaways. Participants will be invited to share commitments and explore concrete next steps for continued engagement and action. We’ll also announce our drawing winner during this time!

Info: We’ll close the day by sharing a community meal and coming back together for a presentation from The PRIDE Study. Participants will also receive resource information and QR codes to stay connected, access tools, and continue engaging beyond the event.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher California LGBTQ Health & Human Services Network