Bi+ Health Equity
May 24, 2022
12:00 – 1:00p (EST)
Virtual event
Live on facebook & YouTube
Health Equity is an ongoing struggle for many Americans, especially LGBTQ+ Americans. In this panel we sit down with providers to explore specifically the unique challenges and barriers Bi+ individuals experience while trying to access comprehensive physical and mental health care. How does Bi+ erasure create barriers to accessing comprehensive services? How does Bi+ misconceptions and stereotypes effect healthcare and other services? These are some of the questions that our panelists will explore.
This conversation will feature perspectives from Circle Care Center Medical Director Dr. David S. Rubin, M.D., FACP, AAHIVS and Case Manager Freddie Swindal and will be moderated by Bi+ Advocate Joshua O’Connell.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Meet Our Speakers
Dr. David S.Rubin MD, FACP, AAHIVS (he/him)
Dr. Rubin brings a wealth of experience to Circle Care Center, including a Board Certification in Infectious Diseases. Prior to serving as Circle Care Center’s Medical Director since 2016, he was instrumental in starting the New York State Department of Health AIDS-Designated Center at the New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital. He helped to establish the clinic there while simultaneously running his private practice and has now been working in HIV treatment and prevention for more than 30 years, helping thousands of patients along the way.
He received his MD degree from Cornell University Medical College, conducted his residency at Beth Israel Medical Center, and completed a fellowship at New York University Medical Center.
Dr. Rubin is an HIV specialist certified by the American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM). He continues to focus on HIV treatment, prevention, transgender medicine, and general medical care with an emphasis on prevention for the community.
Joshua O'Connell (he/him)
Joshua started volunteering with the New Haven Pride Center in 2006, and joined the board in 2007. For many years he served as lead facilitator for GLANCE, a group focused on 18-28 year olds at the Center. During his time on the board he served as co-president for nearly six years, and has been a Dorothy Awards co-chair for 10 years. Today he runs the Center’s board/card games group. Outside of the Center, he serves as board president for the Imperial Sovereign Court of All Connecticut. By day, he works at an ecommerce technology start-up.
Freddie Swindal (they/them)
Freddie earned their bachelor’s degree from Fordham University majoring in both theology and Spanish. One of their proudest accomplishments as an undergrad was co-founding the Queer Spirit Community, a spiritual group for LGBT students. Since graduating, Freddie has been active in both social services and community organizing in Boston. They served as a Care Navigator with the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, where they connected patients with food, housing and legal resources. They also worked at the Massachusetts Voter Table as a Community Organizing Fellow and Field Coordinator, supporting grassroots organizations across the state with civic engagement initiatives. Freddie’s goal in both their career and life is to help create a safe and loving space for LGBTQ+ folks wherever they go.