Featuring expert speakers on LGBTQ health topics, interactive sessions, dance workshops, and other personal well-being activities on July 14

Chicago, IL – Project VIDA and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) are proud to announce the first-ever Latiné/x Health Summit for Gay, Bi, and Same-Gender-Loving Men to be held in Chicago on Sunday, July 14.
This groundbreaking event will take place from Noon to 6 PM at Joe’s on Weed Street, 940 W. Weed St. Under the theme “Unity Strengthens Us,” the summit aims to celebrate, empower, and foster community among Latiné/x same-gender-loving, gay, and bi men.
The mission of the summit, according to Project VIDA, is to address health disparities in the Latiné/x gay and same-gender-loving (SGL) male community by providing a safe community space, offering evidence-based prevention and intervention education, and delivering essential resources. “We believe in the power of community to drive change. The Latiné/x Health Summit is an opportunity for us to come together, share knowledge, and uplift each other in the fight for better health outcomes,” said Jerome Montgomery, Executive Director of Project VIDA. The vision of the organizers is to improve the challenges encountered by Latiné/x gay, bisexual, and same-gender-loving men and foster a sense of solidarity within the community to overcome these obstacles.
“We are thrilled to partner with Project VIDA for this historic summit,” said CDPH
Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo Ige, MD, MPH. “This event embodies our shared commitment to empowering and uplifting Latiné/x same-gender-loving, gay, and bi men through community, education, and celebration. We know that there exist stark inequities in health outcomes between white Chicagoans and Chicagoans of color, and that disparity shows among the LGBT population as well. One way we can work to close this gap is by assisting with the information and resources the community needs.”
The summit will feature an array of dynamic speakers, interactive sessions, and vibrant
entertainment. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with sponsors and vendors, enjoy performances by six DJs, and participate in dance classes led by the legendary East Coast Ballroom Father Javier Madrid of the House of Ninja.
Featured Speakers:

  • Joaquin Lara: A bilingual Community Engagement Specialist at ViiV Healthcare with
    over two decades of experience in HIV prevention. Joaquin has been instrumental in
    launching various forms of PrEP, including the newest long-acting injectable version.
  • Evelio Salinas Escamilla: A Senior Research Associate at the Latino Commission on
    AIDS, specializing in program development and grant administration. Evelio focuses on addressing the behavioral health and HIV-related needs of Hispanic/Latinx communities in Texas.
  • Dr. Juan Pablo Zapata: Assistant Professor at Northwestern University’s Institute for
    Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Associate Director of the Lab for Scalable
    Mental Health. Dr. Zapata’s expertise includes LGBTQ and Latino mental health, HIV,
    public health, and digital health.
  • Gary Bucher, M.D.: Founder of the Anal Dysplasia Clinic MidWest and leader of the
    ANCHOR Study, the largest anal cancer prevention study in the USA. Dr. Bucher is
    dedicated to improving evaluation and treatment for anal cancer.
  • Jim Pickett: A seasoned HIV advocate and leader of Chicago’s PrEP4Teens project. Jim
    has been instrumental in advocating for new HIV prevention methods and is a member of Chicago’s LGBT Hall of Fame.
    Health services offered to attendees will include:
  • Mpox vaccinations
  • Blood pressure screenings
  • STI and HIV screenings
  • Legal aid referrals to the National Immigration Justice Center
  • HIV and STI home test kits
  • Youth-focused activities and resources, including a CPS art workshop and a youthfocused PrEP presentation
  • Harm reduction resources and research opportunities
    For more information and to register for the Latiné/x Health Summit, visit chiLHS.com.
    About the Chicago Department of Public Health
    The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) works with communities and partners to create an equitable, safe, resilient, and healthy Chicago by promoting and working to improve the health and well-being of all Chicagoans through initiatives that address public health issues and disparities.
    About Project VIDA
    Founded in 1992, Project VIDA’s mission is to improve the quality of life and reduce health disparities in underserved communities by promoting self-empowerment and providing holistic health education and direct services. These include behavioral health support, case management, housing assistance, wellness services, HIV/STI testing and counseling, and food pantry services.