Guidelines & FAQ for Submitting Abstracts
Guidelines for Submitting Abstracts
Thank you for your interest in submitting an abstract for the GLMA's 44th Annual Conference on LGBTQ+ Health!
Presenters must be able to attend the conference in-person, as there will not be hybrid or virtual presentation options. This event will take place in Seattle, WA from September 17–19, 2026.
This page outlines GLMA’s expectations for abstract submissions and describes the two types of abstracts accepted for the Annual Conference. Please review the following guidelines carefully before starting your submission. If you have questions that are not addressed here, please contact the GLMA team at annualconference@glma.org . This page includes:
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Expectations for AbstractsAudienceThe GLMA Annual Conference draws a multidisciplinary audience, including clinicians, mental and behavioral health specialists, public health practitioners, researchers, educators, health policy specialists, advocates, administrators, and health professions students and trainees. Submissions should be written for a broad health professional audience. Evidence-Based ContentGLMA is committed to ensuring all Annual Conference content is evidence-based and, when applicable, presents a balanced view of therapeutic options. Abstracts must be developed using evidence accepted within the presenter’s profession and should clearly distinguish evidence from opinion. Learning ObjectivesThree learning objectives are required for all submissions. Learning objectives must use action verbs that describe observable behaviors (for example: explain, list, describe, discuss, demonstrate, calculate, compare, analyze). Do not use verbs such as “understand” or “know.” Learning objectives format: By the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:
CE/CME CompetenciesTo be considered for CE/CME credit, abstracts must address at least one of the Professional Competencies below. Core Competencies
Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) Competencies
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Proposal Components Checklists
Conference proposals are submitted through GLMA’s session submission portal and are made up of two required parts: the abstract submission and individual Presenter Profile submissions.
The abstract submission is completed by a designated primary presenter on behalf of the full presentation team. Each presenter, including co-presenters, must separately complete their presenter profile inside our proposal platform.
Proposals are considered incomplete until all associated presenters have completed the presenter profiles. Incomplete proposals will not be reviewed.
#GLMA2026 Abstract Submission Timeline
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| Abstract Submission Components |
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All abstract submissions must include the following components:
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| Presenter Profile Components |
Each presenter must complete their own presenter profile by the submission deadline. Completing the profile includes the submission of:
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Abstract Submission TypesGLMA is accepting two types of abstract submissions for the Annual Conference: Workshop Sessions and Original Research. Select the submission type that best matches your proposed session.
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All abstract submissions for #GLMA2026 should clearly align with the conference theme, Meeting the Moment, and must be submitted under one of the four official content tracks. During the submission process, presenters will select the single track that best fits their proposed session. | Meeting the MomentThis year's conference theme, Meeting the Moment, highlights the transformative power of collective effort in advancing LGBTQ+ health equity. It emphasizes the importance of standing together, taking decisive steps to address disparities, and building momentum toward a future where every LGBTQ+ individual can access affirming, inclusive care. By uniting together in this moment, taking meaningful action, and driving progress, health professionals can break down barriers and create a healthcare system that truly serves and uplifts the diversity of our communities. This year’s conference will feature four content tracks, each tailored to support professional growth across disciplines, specialties, and career stages.
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The Clinical Excellence in LGBTQ+ Care track centers on delivering high-quality, evidence-informed, and affirming clinical care across the lifespan and across health disciplines. Sessions in this track focus on translating research, clinical guidelines, and best practices into day-to-day care that improves health outcomes for LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. Through case-based learning, skills-building, and clinical application, attendees will explore approaches to assessment, prevention, treatment, and care coordination that reflect current standards and respond to the evolving needs of LGBTQ+ patients. This track is designed for clinicians and care team members seeking to strengthen clinical competence, deepen cultural responsiveness, and uphold excellence in patient-centered LGBTQ+ health care. Previous session topics include:
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The Health Equity, Access, & Social Determinants of Health track examines the structural, social, and environmental conditions that shape LGBTQ+ health outcomes and access to care. Sessions in this track focus on understanding and addressing inequities across systems, populations, and lived experiences, with attention to how policy, economics, geography, race, and stigma intersect with health care delivery. Through research findings, population-level analyses, and community-informed perspectives, attendees will explore barriers to equitable care and strategies for improving access, accountability, and health outcomes for LGBTQ+ communities. This track is designed for clinicians, researchers, advocates, and health system leaders seeking to advance equity-informed practice and decision-making. Previous session topics include:
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The Workforce Education & Professional Development track focuses on strengthening the LGBTQ+ health workforce through education, training, mentorship, and career development across professional stages. Sessions in this track address the skills, structures, and supports needed to prepare, retain, and advance LGBTQ+ and allied health professionals within diverse health care settings. Through workshops, panels, and educational sessions, attendees will explore approaches to clinical training, leadership development, financial and career planning, mentorship models, and inclusive workplace practices. This track is designed to support individual growth while advancing a resilient, well-prepared health workforce committed to equitable and affirming care. Previous session topics include:
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The Advocacy, Policy, & Health Systems Change track focuses on advancing LGBTQ+ health equity through policy engagement, systems reform, and collective action. Sessions in this track examine how laws, regulations, institutional practices, and political environments shape health care access, quality, and outcomes for LGBTQ+ communities. Through policy analysis, case studies, and practical tools, attendees will explore strategies for influencing change at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as within health systems, professional organizations, and community institutions. This track is designed for health professionals, advocates, researchers, and organizational leaders seeking to understand and engage the structures that govern health care and to drive meaningful, sustainable change. Previous session topics include:
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Example Abstract SubmissionThis example is provided to illustrate formatting expectations for the title, abstract text, and learning objectives.
Additional items requested in the submission formIn addition to the title, abstract text, and learning objectives, the submission form will ask you to:
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Presenter Portal and Required Speaker TasksGLMA is using a new submission and presenter management system for #GLMA2026. The portal helps primary presenters manage submissions and allows all listed presenters to complete required profile information and speaker tasks.
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Presenter FAQ's
No, you do not need to be a member of GLMA to submit. Anyone can submit an abstract.
Yes, GLMA encourages the submission of research that has been published or presented elsewhere as well as research not previously published or presented. You will be asked during the abstract submission process to indicate if it has been published or presented previously.
Yes, all research must be completed in order to submit an abstract. Research results are expected to be included in the abstract.
You may not add new findings to your session if they are not available at the time of your abstract submission.
Yes (statistics cited) and no (citations). The word count in the abstract field includes any statistics cited, including for research results. However, there’s a separate question where citations for the abstract can be included.
If you have data that does not fit within the abstract text field, there is an optional upload field for supporting documentation. However, we strongly encourage that core information necessary to understand your proposal is included in the abstract text itself.
Yes, individuals are permitted to submit multiple abstracts and, if selected for inclusion, permitted to present multiple times during the conference.
GLMA offers CME/CE credits for the majority of our conference content. A small number of sessions that do not meet accreditation parameters are still accepted as non-CME content, if they hold value for our conference audience.
Sessions offered for CME/CE tend to having higher attendance rates. But please be aware, that accredited sessions must undergo a review of all slides and supplemental materials associated with your session. Revisions may be requested.
Yes; all presenters MUST be determined prior to finalizing the abstract submission. These individuals must be listed on the proposal submission form, and each presenter must complete their presenter profile and submit materials including a bio, headshot, CV, and disclosure form.
You will be alerted by email no later than May 31, 2026 to the status of your submission. You can also log into your presenter portal at any time to check your proposal status.
Yes. All presenters at the Annual Conference will receive a 50% registration discount. If you register before notification of your selection, you will be eligible for a 50% refund (simply email annualconference@glma.org to process the refund).
Presenters who are not selected will receive a 15% registration discount.
We also encourage you to apply for the GLMA Conference Scholarship if you need additional funds to support your conference attendance. This scholarship is intended to support attendance for anyone who experiences financial hardship, belongs to a historically-excluded community, or has recently lost institutional support or funding related to their role.
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