In response to the federal attacks on queerness, especially the well-being and safety of trans people, I propose a pilot writing workshop series that uses narrative medicine techniques to foster whole-person healing within the local LGBTQIA+ community. This could be specific for queer youth, or for all ages. 

Narrative medicine emphasizes the power of storytelling to promote empathy, reflection, and agency in health journeys. This project extends narrative medicine into the realm of integrative health, where physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being are interconnected. Participants will engage in guided writing exercises focused on themes of resilience, identity, embodiment, and healing. Workshops will incorporate mindfulness practices, trauma-informed facilitation, and opportunities for collective reflection.

This project aligns with the principles of integrative health equity by creating an accessible, community-centered space for healing that values lived experience as a form of knowledge. It also lays the groundwork for future research: participants' narratives could inform a qualitative study exploring the impacts of narrative practice on perceived well-being, connection, and self-advocacy in intersectional health contexts.

Funding will support program development, writing retreat space, facilitator honoraria, and stipend for community partners/exerts. If successful, this model could be adapted to serve other marginalized communities.