Nicholas Cairo-Devlin (left) and Lindsay Roehre co-chair the newly formed LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group at YNHHS.
YNHHS employees may find a new sense of belonging and diversity of thought through the newly formed LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group.
Tentatively called, “BELONG,” the Affinity Group launched July 7 and is open to employees who share in its mission of supporting and empowering LGBTQIA+ persons at YNHHS through meaningful connections, continuous learning and professional development.
“It’s an inclusive network,” said group co-chair Lindsay Roehre, senior manager and regional lead of Health Equity and Community Impact at YNHHS. “We’re really looking to drive both personal and collective growth and well-being while fostering a community where every individual can achieve their full potential.”
Affinity Groups provide a way for people with similar interests, identities, characteristics or lived experiences to come together to support one another and advocate for members’ interests and well-being. The groups are sponsored by YNHHS’ Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.
At the LGBTQIA+ group’s initial meeting, members solicited feedback on what the group wants to see moving forward, including activities such as membership events, networking opportunities within the health system, volunteer service and community engagement.
He noted that the LGBTQIA+ group is using the EMPOWER Women and Allies Affinity Group as a framework. “There’s going to be an intersection – a shared collective between Affinity Groups,” Cairo-Devlin said. “We need to make sure that all of our Affinity Groups have that essential framework.”
“We’re really looking for a robust approach to this group, and it’s my hope that some of our foundational work can carry over to other Affinity Groups,” Roehre said.
Anyone interested in joining the LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group must be employed at YNHHS for at least six months and have no active disciplinary actions on their record. Employees interested in joining must inform their manager who must send a completed approval form to [email protected].
