Under New Leadership, LGBT Resource Center Offers Education and Support

Larry D. Lariosa, MA, a licensed marriage and family therapist, has been named diversity program manager and LGBT specialist at UCSF’s Office of Diversity and Outreach.

Lariosa will be responsible for the design, execution and assessment of diversity and outreach programs that advance the strategic goals of the Office of Diversity and Outreach and the campus, UCSF Medical Center and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.

Lariosa will direct and manage all activities of the UCSF Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Health and Equity — also known as the LGBT Resource Center — a center that is considered a national leader in increasing awareness of the LGBT community and addressing issues of equality and inclusion.

In his new position, Lariosa will report to Renee Chapman Navarro, MD, PharmD, vice chancellor of Diversity and Outreach.

“We are delighted to have Larry join the Office of Diversity and Outreach,” Navarro said. “His expertise and experience in working with diverse populations makes him an ideal fit for this critical position at UCSF.

“I look forward to Larry working with the campus and Medical Center to continue and strengthen the great work that has put UCSF on the map for raising awareness for critical diversity issues, including LGBT health care and equity.”

Founded in 1998, the UCSF LGBT Resource Center provides advocacy, education and support to the campus community. This includes working toward creating and maintaining a safe, inclusive and equitable environment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) students, staff, faculty, postdocs, residents, fellows, alumni and alumnae and patients. The Center aims to sustain visibility and a sense of community throughout the campus and Medical Center.

LGBT students will find a wealth of resources at the center. An online “Out List” features UCSF faculty and staff who are available for mentoring; both a community Listserv and Facebook page provide students information about campus and community events.

Other UCSF resources for LGBT students include discussion and support groups, annual celebrations and programs (i.e. Faculty-Student Reception, National Coming Out Day, LGBT Health Awareness Week, LGBTQI Fall Student Mixer and the Visibility Project). The Center also provides volunteer opportunities to foster both student and staff development.

One event that students should plan on attending this year is the annual for-credit “LGBTQI Health Forum,” generally held in the winter quarter. This popular event, a collaboration between the UCSF LGBT Resource Center and the LGBTQ Student Association, gives UCSF students from all schools an opportunity to learn about LGBTQI health concerns, including:

• the particular clinical concerns of LGBTQI people—for example, an elevated risk for some cancers, cardiovascular disease, STDs, substance abuse, tobacco use and depression;
• what transgender patients are asking of the health care system, from health insurance coverage to surgery and/or hormones for gender transitions;
• how intake forms, history-taking and other patient communications can be sensitive and welcoming to LGBTQI patients — for example, how to relate comfortably to a patient who has mentioned a same-sex partner;
• laws and policies calling for equal treatment of LGBTQI people in health care and beyond; 
• the special challenges faced by LGBTQI health care professionals — for example, how students can support a classmate who has just “come out.”

This year’s event date is scheduled for February 2014. Students who have attended past LGBTQI Health Forums have described them as “phenomenal,” exciting” and “motivating.” 

For more information about the LGBT Resource Center, please contact:  larry.lariosa@ucsf.edu.