History

The Phagocytes organization was created in the fall of 2004 to remedy a perceived lack of organization and community among the LGBT health professional schools at Yale. Formerly, a group called the Lambda Health Alliance had existed at Yale but had gradually become less active over time. In 2007 the Phagocytes added "Gay-Straight Medical Alliance" to their official name in an effort to appeal to a wider audience. Although the group originally consisted mainly of self-identified LGBT students and allies at the medical school, it has since expanded to include students from the other health professional schools at Yale, resident and attending physicians, as well as YSM staff and administration.

Mission

The Phagocytes/GSMA as a group seeks to organize, defend, and serve the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community at Yale's health professional schools, including the school of medicine, school of nursing, PA program, and department of epidemiology and public health. To that end, the group organizes events such as dinner speaker series, educational films and activities, and social events of interest to the LGBT community. In Spring 2005 the Phagocytes held the first-ever "Gay Club Med," which was a huge success. For National Coming Out Day in October 2005, the Phagocytes conducted a survey to learn about the first- and second-year classes' opinions about homosexuality and their comfort level with caring for LGBT patients. For more information about past and present events organized by the Phagocytes, please visit the "Events" page.

Gay @ Yale and New Haven

One of the great advantages of attending medical school at a world-class university like Yale is the incredible richness and diversity of the other academic programs on campus. In addition to the Phagocytes, there are LGBT organizations representing the law, management, divinity, graduate, and undergraduate schools, links to which can be found on the "Resources" page. Many of these organizations hold events that are open to the entire university community.

Additionally, New Haven is becoming increasingly well known as a destination for LGBT people throughout southern New England. In addition to incredible art galleries, restaurants, symphonies, museums, and other cultural offerings, New Haven is home to a vibrant gay scene, with two bars catering exclusively to gay clientele, as well as gay-specific events on virtually every night of the week at bars and nightclubs around town, including Hula Hanks, Bar, Oracle, and Gotham Citi. All these attractions are literally steps away from campus, meansing that LGBT Yalies who need a break from their books don't need to work hard in order to find a social life in the Elm City.

Of course, for those who crave the hustle and bustle on a larger scale, New York is just a train-ride away. In less than 2 hours and for only $15, you can be living it up in the cultural, epicurean, and fashion capital of America. New Haven's close proximity to New York makes it easy for even the most die-hard of med students to have a fabulous weekend away with plenty of time to get back for Monday morning histology lab.

Gallery

Click on the thumbnails below to open the full-sized images in a new window. Close the window to return to this page. (Most photos taken at Gay Club Med, Spring 2005—courtesy Kurtland Ma)