The fourth annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender and Queer Meaningful Care Conference starts at 8 a.m. tomorrow at Ambridge Event Center, 1333 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

According to event organizers, the conference fills a great need by educating health care providers about the special needs of sexual minority patients. These health disparities include an increased likelihood for queer youth to be victimized in school and attempt suicide and under-screening for diseases such as HIV/AIDS if patients fail to come out as gay to health care providers.

“This conference is best suited to inform medical and social service providers to increase their cultural competency in serving the LGBTQ community,” said Graham Harriman, interim manager of Multnomah County’s HIV/Hep C and health equity program and co-chairman of the conference.

After listening to community responses, organizers have added more health information for lesbians and residents of rural counties.

Click here to register or for more information.