A Happy “HoliGAY” Supports Community Health
The first Happy HoliGAYS Health Fair in Greeley, Colorado on December 9, 2023 kicked off a successful joint venture between LGBTQ+ advocacy organization Out Boulder County (OBC) and the Weld County Department of Public Health & Environment. Weld County is a mostly rural area, and this inaugural health event was part of OBC’s efforts to expand its vaccine outreach outside of the state’s urban centers. Those attending the health fair at Greeley’s Unitarian Universalist Church could receive COVID-19, flu and/or T-DAP vaccines, and take advantage of an array of other free health services, including cholesterol testing, sexually transmitted infection testing, and tobacco education. The population of Weld County is 40% Hispanic, so translators were on hand to help Spanish speaking community members navigate health services and information. In keeping with the holiday theme, there was also plenty of glitter glue and rainbow-colored ribbon for those who wanted to get crafty and make ornaments. “My team and I really considered it a success,” said OBC’s Vaccine Equity Advocate, Kaia Ball, “where people came together and spent a Saturday distributing services to our community and just having a cute holiday afternoon.”
Read more about Out Boulder County’s Happy HoliGAYS Health Fair: https://www.cdcfoundation.org/blog/very-happy-holigay-colorado