As we celebrate Pride this month, we would like to acknowledge the many community leaders, organizers, trailblazers, and countless others who have worked tirelessly to improve health care for LGBTQ2S people in Canada. At the same time, we remain acutely aware of the work that still needs to be done to realize health equity.

A new study analyzing data from the 2013–2018 National Health Interview Survey has found that the number of people who report being in pain is significantly higher among LGBTQ2S adults. Pain BC remains committed to do our part to address barriers to health care equity-seeking communities.

Last year, we began became a partner in the Partnership for the engagement of patients in pain research (PEPR) project, a five-year project that will build and support a network of people with pain from equity-seeking communities, including LGBTQ2S communities, to engage in and shape pain research, policy advocacy and practice change. The insights from this work will shape the development of tools and guidelines, which will be available to people with lived experience, researchers, clinicians, and policymakers.

Additionally, we conducted community consultations with people living with pain that led us to develop Pain Support and Wellness Groups specifically for LGBTQ2S people, young adults, and people of colour living with pain, in addition to our existing regional groups. The groups offer an opportunity for people living with pain to meet regularly and build a community of support. Registration for the new groups opened in early 2023.

In consultation with people who live with pain, we also recently culturally tailored our Making Sense of Pain program for five demographic communities, including LGBTQ2S adults and gender-diverse youth. This 8-10 week program is designed for people with pain who experience marginalization and face barriers to accessing care.

During Pride, and all year long, Pain BC remains committed to doing the work to ensure all people living with pain can access the care they need, free from stigma and discrimination. We are grateful to work alongside each of you to work towards our shared vision: a future where no one is alone with pain.

Pain BC is looking for volunteer facilitators to co-lead/facilitate our Pain Support and Wellness Groups. We are particularly looking for volunteers who can facilitate groups in Punjabi, Cantonese, Mandarin or Arabic. Pain Support and Wellness Groups offer an opportunity for people living with persistent pain to meet on a regular basis to learn about self-management and to share knowledge, experiences and coping strategies.

We are also looking for volunteer coaches for our Coaching for Health program, a free telephone coaching program designed to help people living with pain learn self-management skills, regain function and improve their well-being. People with lived experience of pain are encouraged to apply, as are those with similar work experience who would like to support those living with pain through an anti-oppressive and strength-based health coaching program.

Self-Management BC offers free health programs to adults in BC living with one or more ongoing health conditions. They host virtual as well as in-person workshops focusing on a range of chronic conditions. Registration is open for upcoming virtual six-session workshops. The workshops will cover techniques to better manage your health, setting goals and problem-solving, dealing with stress and difficult emotions, communicating more effectively with family, friends, and health care team.

Chronically Queer (CQ) is a peer support group hosted by Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods. It is open to LGBTQ2S people who identify as "mad, crip, chronically ill, and/or disabled." The group meets twice a month in a hybrid online and in-person format, with the next meeting scheduled at the South Burnaby Neighbourhood House on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

The Government of BC is encouraging all residents to take the BC Demographic Survey to help identify and address systemic racism in government services. The survey is online and available in 15 languages. People without access to a computer or smartphone can take the survey by calling toll-free: 1-833-376-2452.

The Power Over Pain Portal for youth is an online portal designed to help young people manage their pain. Researchers are seeking participants aged 12-18 who have been experiencing pain for three months or longer. Participation will involve answering online questionnaires, using the Power Over Pain Portal for eight weeks, and optionally completing a feedback interview. All participants will receive volunteer hours and gift card compensation. To sign up, email rachelr.kelly@sickkids.ca.

If you live with pain, does it change throughout the day? The CircaPain research team is studying how time of day impacts pain and wants to hear about your experience. This study is open to all adults who have had persistent pain for more than three months. Learn more and take the survey on CircaPain's website: circapain.ca.