TAG celebrated Pride season by hosting an essential webinar that addressed the unique health concerns of the LGBTQ+ community, focusing on engaging LGBTQ patients. It’s crucial to amplify awareness and foster a supportive environment for sexual health within this vibrant community.

Part 1 was on May 7 and Part 2 was held on May 21, 2024. Webinar recordings of both are below.

Learning Objectives:

• Pride and Sexual Health: Recognizing the significance of Pride Season and its connection to overall wellness, including sexual health.
• LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in Healthcare: Discussing the importance of creating LGBTQ+-friendly spaces that encourage open dialogue about sexual health.
• Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies: Exploring the specific risk factors for STDs and STIs within the LGBTQ+ community and effective prevention measures.
• Culturally Competent Care: Providing insights into delivering healthcare services that respect the diverse identities and needs within the LGBTQ+ spectrum.
• Community Empowerment: Showcasing successful community-based initiatives that empower LGBTQ+ individuals to take charge of their sexual health.
• Pride on the Move: Recognizing the unique experiences and health considerations of LGBTQ+ individuals who travel the East Coast for Pride celebrations.
• Health Disparities: Addressing the disparities in HIV risks, access to healthcare, and support services faced by Black and Brown LGBTQ+ communities.
• Culturally Competent Care: Discussing the importance of culturally sensitive healthcare services that resonate with the diverse identities within the LGBTQ+ spectrum.
• Prevention Strategies: Exploring effective HIV prevention strategies tailored to the needs and lifestyles of LGBTQ+ individuals traveling for Pride.
• Community Resilience: Showcasing examples of community-driven initiatives that empower Black and Brown LGBTQ+ individuals to take control of their health.

Target Audience:
HIV care providers, primary care providers, nurse practitioners, physician associates, students, other clinicians, and other healthcare professionals in primary care, HIV care, and STD clinic settings are involved in the care of patients living with and at risk for HIV.

Presenters:

Louie A. Ortiz-Fonseca (He/Him) is the Director of LGBTQ Health & Rights at Advocates for Youth, where he works with community-based organizations throughout the country to strengthen their capacity to work with LGBTQ young people. He also works in partnership with young people living with HIV to combat stigma and hosts a YouTube series for LGBTQ youth, Kikis with Louie. Outside of the organization, Louie is the creator of Gran Varones, a digital project that highlights community storytelling and queer pop-culture history.

Sebas Abbate (they/he/she) is a queer Latine activist and grassroots organizer dedicated to making the world a safer space for young LGBTQ+ people of color. In 2020, they graduated with Bachelor’s degrees in political science and sociology and a certificate in peace, justice, and human rights from Florida Atlantic University. Sebas has been a member of the Youth Resource cohort with Advocates for Youth for 2 years, working to organize queer youth of color. They currently serve as an Outreach Intervention Specialist at Compass LGBTQ+ Community Center, a non-profit organization working to end the HIV epidemic in Lake Worth Beach, Florida. At Compass, Sebas facilitates a social and support group for young adults in the LGBTQ+ community known as Entourage. Through their work, they encourage people to live their most authentic, healthy lives by practicing safer sex and destigmatizing HIV. They ensure people feel empowered and educated by providing them with the resources they need to thrive.

Violeta Acuna (she/her) is currently a Community organizer, HIV/Aids advocate, Drag Performer, and LGBTQIA+ advocate after Having come out as trans feminine in the spring of 2022. Violeta would start her transition as her new journey to find herself while receiving her HIV diagnosis, all within the same 2 months. This led to a personal need of having to advocate for herself and her needs to those around her.