The American College Health Association (ACHA) recognizes that our journey toward full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals has been long overdue.
Historically, our association has not always provided the affirming and equitable environment that LGBTQIA+ students and professionals deserve. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to becoming a more inclusive and LGBTQIA-friendly organization for our members and the campus communities we serve.
We have meaningful work ahead of us, yet we can be grateful for the strong foundations already in place as we continue building on them with care and optimism for the future. Our LGBTQ+ Health Coalition has done an outstanding job advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and offering educational programming and guidelines that address critical health concerns such as gender-affirming care, HIV prevention through PrEP and PEP, and sexual health education for LGBTQIA+ students.
I am also encouraged by other efforts already underway, including intentional partnerships that amplify our impact. One example is our growing collaboration with the Human Rights Campaign to provide clear guidance for members on participating in the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI).
Many of us within ACHA strive to advance equity for LGBTQIA+ students, yet we acknowledge that this work is far from complete within our own association. The Promoting LGBTQIA+ Equity Task Force was created to help identify these gaps and chart a path forward, and its recommendations represent an essential step in this ongoing effort. Their work officially began at the start of the 2023–24 academic year, when then-ACHA President Dana Tasson appointed the Promoting LGBTQIA+ Equity Task Force. The group was charged with identifying areas of need to help ACHA become a more equitable organization.
In spring 2025, the Task Force finalized its comprehensive report with detailed recommendations. The Task Force Chair reviewed the report with the Board of Directors at its summer meeting, and the Board accepted the report. Since that time, the Executive Committee has begun work to address the recommendations.
Responding to the Task Force’s recommendations is not a one-time initiative but part of a sustained dialogue and action plan to ensure that LGBTQIA+ students and ACHA members experience equity, respect, and belonging. This is the work not only of the Board of Directors but of every ACHA member committed to the values of our association.
The following Board response to the Promoting LGBTQIA+ Equity Task Force report outlines both immediate and long-term actions, organized around the three core pillars of ACHA’s new Strategic Plan. While these steps represent meaningful progress, we recognize that equity and inclusion require continuous engagement. This is not the end of the dialogue but part of an ongoing commitment to listen, learn, and work together for an association that is inclusive and affirming.
Joel Schwartzkopf
President, American College Health Association
On behalf of the ACHA Board of Directors
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News & Announcements
