Come home to Humsafar!

4th National Conference on LGBTQI+ Health

Theme: Advancing Health Equity and Well-being for All

Venue: The LaLiT, New Delhi, India

Date: December 8 - 10, 2026

Co-organised by: The Humsafar Trust (HST) - PGIMER – TISS – Centre for Sexuality and Health Research and Policy (C-SHaRP) – UNDP India – UNAIDS India – in collaboration with government institutions, academic institutions, community-led and civil-society organisations, and development partners advancing LGBTQI+ health in India.

About the Conference

The 4th National Conference on LGBTQI+ Health will bring together LGBTQI+ community representatives, public health practitioners, healthcare providers, researchers, policymakers, civil society organisations, development partners and other stakeholders committed to advancing the health and well-being of LGBTQI+ people in India.

Building on the experience and partnerships fostered through previous conferences, the 2026 conference will provide a national platform to review progress, identify persistent and emerging gaps, share evidence and community experiences, and shape a coordinated agenda for advancing LGBTQI+ health in India

I. CONFERENCE THEME AND THEMATIC AREAS

Authors are required to select the most appropriate thematic area corresponding to the primary focus of their abstract.

The conference theme is “Advancing Health Equity and Well-being for All”

Thematic areas:

  1. Access, equity and quality of LGBTQI+-responsive healthcare
  2. Stigma, discrimination and violence in healthcare settings
  3. Gender-affirming and other LGBTQI+-specific health services
  4. Mental health and well-being across the life course
  5. Sexual and reproductive health and rights
  6. Health systems, social protection and financial protection
  7. Data, research and evidence on LGBTQI+ health
  8. Community-led approaches and promising practices
  9. Policy implementation, accountability and legal and rights-based approaches
  10. Collaboration among communities, government, academia, healthcare providers and civil society
  11. Financing for LGBTQI health programmes and research

II. CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

Deadline for submission: 31st October 2026

The 4th National Conference on LGBTQI+ Health invites researchers, public health practitioners, healthcare providers, policymakers, community representatives, civil-society organisations and development partners to submit abstracts presenting original research, programme experience, policy initiatives, interventions and evidence-based practices relevant to LGBTQI+ health.

1. Abstract Submission Guidelines

1.1 Abstract format and word limits

Component

Requirement

Abstract title

Maximum 20 words (Concise and informative)

Abstract text

Maximum 250 words

Language

English

Font

Arial or another standard, legible font

Graphics

Maximum one table or one graph/diagram combined

Submission format

Microsoft Word document (.docx)

Submission method

Submit by email to the designated conference email address

Submission deadline

31 October 2026

Keywords

Provide up to six keywords that best describe the abstract

 

 

The 250-word limit applies to the abstract text, including section headings, but excludes the title, author details, institutional affiliations and keywords.

The abstract should provide a clear, concise and standalone summary of a research study, programme, project or policy relevant to LGBTQI+ health.

1.2 Author and Affiliation Details

Please provide the names of all authors and their institutional affiliations in the following format:

Authors: First Author¹, Second Author², Third Author³

Affiliations

¹ Department, Institution, City, State, Country

² Department, Institution, City, State, Country

3 Department, Institution, City, State, Country

 

Presenting Author:

Please identify the presenting author who will be responsible for presenting the accepted abstract.

  • Name:
  • Email:
  • Contact Number:

1.3 Abstract Categories and Structure

Authors must select one of the following abstract categories and structure their submissions accordingly. Indicate the abstract category and one or two (maximum) key thematic areas in your abstract.

 

Option 1: Original research

Suitable for quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, epidemiological, clinical, behavioural, social science and other research studies.

The abstract should contain the following sections:

Background: State the research problem, rationale and purpose of the study.

Research Question: Describe the research question, hypothesis, where applicable, and objectives of the study

Methods: Describe study period, setting and location, study design and population, data collection procedures and analytical methods

Results: Present specific findings and outcomes, including relevant numerical results, where applicable. Qualitative studies should present their principal findings or themes. Present sex- and gender-disaggregated findings where relevant.

Conclusions: Summarize the key findings, their implications for community health, and recommendations.

 

Option 2: Programme, project or policy implementation

Suitable for implementation research, public health interventions, community-led programmes, service delivery initiatives, capacity-building initiatives, policy implementation and programme management experiences.

The abstract should include the following sections:

Background: State the context, rationale, purpose and objectives of the programme, project or policy

Description: Describe implementation period, setting and location, programme structure, target population, key activities and interventions implemented.

Lessons learnt: Present key outcomes, implementation experiences, lessons learnt, best practices, challenges and supporting evidence, including specific results where available.

Conclusions/Next steps: Explain the significance of the findings and their implications for LGBTQI+ health, healthcare access, service delivery, HIV prevention and treatment, care and support, policy development or programme implementation. Identify opportunities for improvement, adaptation or scale-up, where applicable.

 

Option 3: Literature or evidence review

Suitable for narrative, scoping, systematic or other structured reviews of published or grey literature relevant to LGBTQI+ health.

The abstract should include:

Background: Describe the issue, rationale and importance of the review.

Review Objective: State the question or objective addressed.

Approach: Briefly describe the type of review, sources searched, selection criteria, period covered and method of synthesis, as applicable.

Key Findings: Present the principal findings, patterns, evidence gaps or areas of agreement and disagreement.

Conclusions/Implications: Explain the significance of the findings for LGBTQI+ health research, policy, programmes, services or community action.

 

Option 4: Perspective or commentary

Suitable for well-developed perspectives based on lived experience, community knowledge, professional practice, policy analysis or critical reflection on an issue relevant to LGBTQI+ health.

The abstract should include:

Background/Context: Introduce the issue and explain its relevance to LGBTQI+ health and the conference theme.

Perspective: Present the central argument, insight or viewpoint, indicating the experience, evidence or context on which it is based.

Implications: Explain the significance for communities, healthcare, programmes, policy, research or practice.

Recommendations: Propose clear and feasible actions or directions for relevant stakeholders.

 

1.4 Declaration

☐ This abstract is original and has not been published or presented elsewhere before the LGBTQI+ Conference.

☐ All co-authors have reviewed and approved the submitted abstract.

☐ The presenting author accepts responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of the submitted work.

☐ All necessary ethical approvals, institutional permissions and informed consent have been obtained, where applicable.

 

2. How to Submit an Abstract?

Authors are invited to submit their abstracts by email to lgbtqi.healthconference@gmail.com on or before 31st October 2026.

Please follow these instructions when submitting your abstract:

  1. Prepare the abstract in accordance with the Abstract Submission Guidelines, including the prescribed format, word limit and abstract category.
  2. Include the title of the abstract, author details, institutional affiliations, presenting author details and keywords.
  3. Attach the abstract as a Microsoft Word document (.docx) to the submission email. The file name should contain three short words (maximum) from the abstract, followed by the full name of the presenting author. Separate the words by underscore: Example – “Qualitative_Healthcare_Barriers_Rohit_Kumar”.
  4. Use the following subject line for your email:

Subject: Abstract Submission – 4th National Conference on LGBTQI+ Health

  1. Include the name, cell phone number and email address of the presenting author in the body of the email.

Please ensure that all information provided is accurate and that the abstract complies with the submission guidelines. Only complete submissions received by the specified deadline will be considered for review. An acknowledgement or receipt will be sent to the submitting author. Authors will be notified of the outcome of the review process by email. Submission of an abstract does not guarantee acceptance or selection for presentation.

3. Abstract Review and Selection Process

All submitted abstracts will be reviewed by the conference scientific committee. The review will consider the relevance of the abstract to the conference theme, scientific quality, originality, clarity of presentation, methodological rigour where applicable, and potential contribution to LGBTQI+ health research, policy and practice.

Selected abstracts may be considered for oral presentations or poster presentations, depending on the scientific committee's assessment and the conference programme requirements. The final decision regarding acceptance and presentation format will rest with the scientific committee.

Notification of acceptance: November 8-10, 2026

 

 III. CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION APPLICATION FORM

Individuals interested in participating in the 4th National Conference on LGBTQI+ Health  (December 8–10, 2026, New Delhi) are invited to submit an expression of interest by completing the online form using the link provided below.

Participants are requested to provide their full name, email address, contact number, institutional or organisational affiliation, designation, city and state, preferred mode of participation (in-person or virtual) and other details.

Please ensure that all information provided is accurate and complete.

Form link: https://forms.gle/h5CdNZNXD2nZN5b38

 

Important information regarding conference participation form:

  • Submission of the conference participation application form is required for all individuals interested in attending the conference.
  • Abstract submission and conference participation form are separate processes. Submission of an abstract and/or submission of the conference participation form does not automatically register the author for the conference. The conference participation decision will be communicated to applicants by November 8-10, 2026.
  • Authors whose abstracts are accepted will be required to follow the presentation instructions communicated by the conference organisers.

IV. IMPORTANT DATES

  • Abstract submission deadline:

31 October, 2026
  • ‘Intent to participate’ form submission deadline:

31 October, 2026
  • Notification of acceptance:

November 8-10, 2026
  • Conference:

8--10 December, 2026

We look forward to your participation and contributions towards advancing health equity and well-being for LGBTQI+ communities.

 

Organising Committee
4th National Conference on LGBTQI+ Health
December 8-10, 2026 | Venue: The LaLiT, New Delhi

Supported by: CARET project funded by CRC grant of the DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance, UN Agencies such as UNDP and UNAIDS.

Share: