True To You Coalition
Live life tobacco-free.
True to You (T2U) is a statewide coalition committed to providing Connecticut’s LGBTQIA+ community with the information, resources, and support they need to live life tobacco- and vape-free.
T2U began its work in September 2023 with funding from the Connecticut Department of Public Health and support from Connecticut Clearinghouse, a program of Wheeler Health.
T2U embraces the belief that LGBTQIA+ individuals have the right to:
- Live and thrive in communities that support their physical and mental health and well-being
- Make informed choices about their health and the treatment and services they receive
- Work in partnership with healthcare providers who welcome, affirm, and consider each individual's unique needs when discussing and providing health and mental health services
T2U has planned several activities through Spring 2025:
- Invite Connecticut's LGBTQIA+ community to share their thoughts and experiences around tobacco use and vaping through an online community needs assessment (February - March 2024)
- Promote tobacco- and vape-free living through a statewide campaign that utilizes social media and streaming platforms (January 2025 - March 2025)
- Distribute tobacco screening tools to healthcare providers that feature steps for referring LGBTQIA+ patients to Connecticut's free and confidential quit services (December 2024)
- Work with LGBTQIA+ event coordinators and sponsors to offer tobacco- and vape-free events (Spring 2025)
If you would like more information or are interested in joining the coalition, please contact Holly Giardina at Connecticut Clearinghouse at 800.232.4424 or hgiardina@wheelerclinic.org.