LGBTQ+ History for Healthcare Organizations

History-informed learning for the people who care for, teach, and serve our communities.

Healthcare has its own history of LGBTQ+ patients, physicians, researchers, nurses, public-health professionals, activists, and institutions.

Expanding Horizons brings that history into hospitals, health systems, medical schools, public-health programs, health sciences libraries, and professional learning environments through traveling exhibits, presentations, and educational programming.

Our programs give healthcare professionals and learners historical context for the communities they serve and the institutions in which they work.

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Bring LGBTQ+ history into healthcare learning

  • Medical students in a classroom

    Medical education

    Bring historical perspective to lectures, seminars, grand rounds, orientation, or student programming.

  • A person stands next to a podium during grand rounds

    Professional development

    Give clinicians and staff a substantive way to engage with LGBTQ+ history and healthcare.

  • A rainbow of journals line the stacks in a health sciences library

    Health sciences libraries

    Use a traveling exhibit to complement collections, displays, research guides, or public programming.

  • A person in casual wear interacts with someone holding a MyPlate

    Public health education

    Explore the history behind HIV/AIDS, health activism, prevention, community health, and institutional responses.

  • LGBTQ+ health programming

    Provide historical context for conversations about LGBTQ+ patients and healthcare.

  • Pride Month & LGBT History Month

    Add a substantial educational experience to institutional observances.

  • A sign reading "PROTECT TRANS YOUTH" held above a crowd of people

    Medical school & residency programming

    Introduce students and trainees to the history of LGBTQ+ people in medicine and science.

  • Employee and affinity-group programming

    Give LGBTQ+ employee groups and their colleagues something to learn and discuss together.

History that belongs in healthcare

Roger Gremminger standing outside Brady East STD Clinic in Milwaukee

The Power Here Is You

A case study in the history of HIV/AIDS, community health, public-health education, and medical response.

The Power Here Is You follows Milwaukee's response to AIDS from the early 1980s through the arrival of effective antiretroviral therapy. The exhibit examines the people and organizations that built local systems of testing, treatment, prevention, education, and support.

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Glass beakers with a glass funnel and plastic pipette evoking a laboratory

Through Science to Justice

Scientists and mathematicians have always been part of LGBTQ+ history.

Through Science to Justice introduces audiences to LGBTQ+ figures whose work changed their fields, while placing their achievements within the larger history of LGBTQ+ life.

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What We Offer

Traveling LGBTq+ History Exhibits

Professionally designed, museum-quality banner exhibits ship nationwide and install in minutes. Institutions receive a complete exhibit ready to display, making it easy to offer meaningful educational programming without developing content in-house.

Speaking & Educational Programs

Pair an exhibit with a keynote, lecture, workshop, or professional development session led by curator Vince Tripi to deepen visitor engagement and provide additional context for the exhibit's themes.

Custom History Projects

Expanding Horizons partners with libraries, archives, and nonprofit organizations to develop original history exhibits based on institutional archives, oral histories, and primary-source research.

Looking to tell your own story?

Designed for healthcare environments

Expanding Horizons exhibits are designed to work within active institutional spaces.

Freestanding displays

Our exhibits require no wall hardware and can be installed in appropriate indoor spaces throughout a hospital, library, conference area, educational facility, or reception space.

Flexible programming

An exhibit can stand on its own or accompany a presentation, workshop, discussion, or heritage observance.

Low facility burden

Exhibits arrive ready for straightforward installation, with setup generally taking about 30 minutes.

Adaptable audiences

Programs can be appropriate for students, clinicians, researchers, staff, administrators, or community members.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Most exhibits consist of seven to eleven retractable banners. Plan approximately three linear feet per banner for comfortable viewing.

  • Most libraries host exhibits for approximately three weeks, although longer engagements can often be accommodated.

  • Yes. Exhibits are designed specifically for nationwide shipping.

  • Absolutely. Many libraries combine an exhibit rental with a keynote presentation, author talk, workshop, or community discussion.

  • Yes. Exhibits are frequently booked for Pride Month, LGBT History Month, Women's History Month, Black History Month, Disability Pride Month, STEM programming, and interdisciplinary educational initiatives.

  • Yes. Many exhibits are regularly displayed in academic libraries and support both secondary and higher education audiences.

Bringing History Into Your Community

Whether you're planning Pride Month, developing professional education, looking for a library exhibition, or simply looking for a meaningful way to engage your community, Expanding Horizons can help you find the right fit.

Let’s Schedule a Discovery Call →