Mourning Nex Benedict

The BCH LGBTQ+ Committee has written a statement on the Mourning Nex Benedict. 

On February 7th, 2024, a 16-year-old nonbinary indigenous student in Oklahoma, Nex Benedict, was brutally attacked in their high school bathroom by three older students. Nex died the following day. Nex’s school did not seek medical care for Nex after the attack, and instead suspended Nex for two weeks. Nex’s mother later sought emergency care for them, and Nex died shortly thereafter. Nex, whose mother is a member of the Chocktaw Nation, was an excellent student, had a cat they loved and cared for, enjoyed reading, playing Minecraft, and drawing. Nex was bullied repeatedly for being themself—a trauma no youth should endure. Nex deserved so much better, and we mourn the great loss of their short life.

Read the full statement HERE

Getting to Know Your LGBTQ+ Patients

• Tuesday, October 3 | 12 – 1pm  zoom
• Wednesday, October 18 | 12 – 1pm  zoom 

This live UCSF-tailored talk, by the former director of UCSF’s LGBTQ Center, will explore the real-life concerns of patients who are LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer). The Bay Area has long had one of the highest LGBTQ+ populations in the country—and LGBTQ+ people often turn to UCSF for their medical care. This engaging talk will discuss their healthcare-related hopes and needs—and how UCSF staff, in any role, can offer knowledgeable and welcoming care.

What do all the letters mean? What do LGBTQ+ patients worry about—and appreciate—in healthcare? How does healthcare go wrong—and right—for them? What are the particular concerns of transgender and gender-nonbinary patients?   What difference can a staff member make? These topics and more will be covered in this down-to-earth talk by Shane Snowden.

Shane, founding director of UCSF’s LGBTQ center from 1999 to 2012, has spoken, written, and consulted on LGBTQ+ health issues throughout the country for 20+ years, working with hundreds of health systems and health professional schools to increase knowledge and comfort around LGBTQ+ care

Oakland Pride Parade

Sunday, September 10 | 9:30 am - 12 pm 

Join UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals in solidarity as we loudly & proudly march at the Oakland Pride Parade on Sunday, September 10th. The recent political attacks aimed at gay, transgender, and non-binary people threaten the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans and the fundamental promises of freedom, liberty, and dignity. Together, we can be a force in creating safe, inclusive spaces that help amplify marginalized voices and broaden acceptance. 

Open to all UCSF students, staff, trainees, faculty and friends/family.

REGISTER to march

San Francisco Pride Parade 2023 

Sunday, June 25 | 10 am - 5 pm 

UCSF marched once again to this year's Annual San Francisco LGBTQ Pride Celebration & Parade! Over 600 UCSF staff, traineres, faculty, family, friends, and patients marched in the UCSF contingent. This was the 2nd year that BCH marched with our banner. 

A special thanks to this year's planning committee for contributing their time and energy into bringing our UCSF community together to celebrate pride.

Thank you to our collaborators: Alliance Health Project, Benioff Children's Hospital, Campus Life Services, Community & Government Relations, Gladstone Institutes, Global Health Sciences, the LGBT Resource Center, Office of Diversity & Outreach and Ward 86.

Check out our VIDEO on Instagram of the UCSF parade contingent!

Pronouns Matter Campaign

Pronouns are used in everyday speech and writing to take the place of people's names. We frequently use them without thinking about it. Often, when speaking of someone in the third person, these pronouns have a gender implied. These associations are not always accurate or helpful.

Mistaking or assuming peoples' pronouns without asking first, mistakes their gender and sends a harmful message. Using someone's correct gender pronouns is one of the most basic ways to show your respect for their identity.

How can I be inclusive in using and respecting gender pronouns?

• Edit your email signature to include your pronouns
• Wear your pronouns sticker on your UCSF ID badge - Stickers are already available in the the badging office in both BCH Oakland and Mission Bay.
• Update your pronouns on the UCSF directory
• Include your pronouns on virtual meetings 
• Pick up your free Pronouns Sticker at the BCH ID Badging/Security office. 

LGBTQ Pride Month

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning + Pride Month (LGBTQ+ Pride Month) is celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots, and works to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ+) Americans. In June of 1969, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City staged an uprising to resist the police harassment and persecution to which LGBT Americans were commonly subjected. This uprising marks the beginning of a movement to outlaw discriminatory laws and practices against LGBT Americans.

June 2022 marked the first time since COVID that San Francisco hosted the SF Pride March. This year also marked the first time that the Benioff Children's Hospital marched in the SF Pride Parade within the UCSF contingent.