Principles

• The World Health Organization’s definition of health: “the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.

• Five major workshop areas: clinical care, community initiatives, education and training, leadership development, and research.

• We are committed to diversity among Summit organizers and participants reflective of the compelling diversity of our community. Our core group, working committees, and publicity & outreach strategies include substantial representation based on: race, ethnicity, class, age, ability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and geographic location.

• Three phases : a strong collaborative planning process; the Summit itself; and post-Summit publications including a synopsis as well as appropriate position/policy papers from the proceedings.

Objectives

In addition to the education and training of all involved, outcomes include:

• Refocusing on issues of health resiliency and well-being for healthcare providers, educators, and community organizers

• Reinvigorating a national Lesbian Health Movement, utilizing health as a vehicle for social change, through the design and development of the Summit itself

• Creating national publications and implementation guides, including policy papers and the pertinent proceedings of the Summit as an update to the 1999 IOM Report and 2000 Implementation Guide