A national conference about queer male health is kicking off its virtual edition today—and for the first time it’s free.

The national queer male health organization Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC), based in Vancouver, launched the virtual Summit 2020 today (November 4), and the annual conference continues online until Friday (November 6).

This year focuses on the timely theme of Resistance and Responsibility, a response to numerous issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic, discrimination and violence against Black and Indigenous people, and the overdose crisis.

Queer communities have long had to address injustice. This conference asks, “How can we resist such harmful, persistent disparities to create systems that look after everyone? Who—within our community, research, and health care organizations—is responsible for driving that change, and who is being left out?”

Although the Summit is online this year, it will still offer keynote speakers, workshops, presentations, and panel discussions with community, academic, clinical, and public health stakeholders. 

Topics will include the impact of COVID-19, trans health, two-spirit health, reconciliation, racism in healthcare, mental health, HIV, sexual health, sex work, and much more.

What’s different is that while the Summit was held over two days in previous years, this year it will span three days to accommodate for participation from across Canada.

What’s also new this year is that CBRC has made this year’s edition free (there aren’t any participation fees) and open to the public.

English and French simultaneous translation and captioning support is available for many sessions.

Last year, over 300 participants attended the Summit held in Vancouver.

For more details and the full program, visit the CBRC website.