Page 12 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – Friday, July 5, 2019 Portal To Hope Pride Month Diversity Forum P ortal To Hope and the Melrose/Wakefield Healthcare Diversity Committee recognized Pride Month on Thursday afternoon at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. Guests were invited to join a diversity forum to discuss the increased risk of domestic abuse LGBT individuals face. Cameron J. Breither served as a guest speaker at the event, sharing firsthand experience on how to be more inclusive to the LGBTQ community, while founder Deb Fallon stressed that straight women are not the only individuals at risk of domestic violence and abuse. Kelley McCue, Johna Wasdyke, Karen Andrews, Terri Niland, Sara Schreiner and Eileen Dern participated in Portal To Hope’s Diversity Forum on Thursday. Eileen Dern welcomed Medford Mayor Stephanie Muccini to speak at the Portal To Hope meeting. Speaker Cameron Breither talked about some of the challenges the LGBTQ community faces. Medford Mayor Stephanie Muccini Burke spoke about Medford’s efforts to be more inclusive. Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan addressed the crowd at the Portal To Hope meeting. Portal To Hope Founder Deb Fallon welcomed attendees to the June forum, which was held in honor of Pride month. Eileen Dern welcomed guests to the diversity forum at the Lawrence Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. Community activists, leaders and citizens attended the Portal To Hope Diversity Forum on Thursday afternoon. Medford Mayor Stephanie Muccini Burke, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan and Cameron Breither were featured speakers at the Portal To Hope meeting on Thursday. Portal To Hope organizers were proud to come together in an effort to stand up for the LGBTQ community. Attendees listened to speakers discuss domestic abuse in the LGBTQ community. Everett resident Holly Garcia attended in support of Portal To Hope and the LGBTQ community. Cameron Breither spoke about issues the LGBTQ community experiences and how people can make a better effort to help. (Advocate photos by Katy Rogers)
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