In 1997, the Wedge Program was awarded a grant for Free Zone, an HIV prevention project targeting younger gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (GBTQ) adolescent men of color. The goal of this project was to reduce participants’ risk for HIV by building community, nurturing self-esteem and assisting participants in the development of a healthy self-identity. Activities were organized and led by a Peer Educator, and included a combination of media workshops, high school press conferences and social activities with a health focus. Preliminary evaluations found that Free Zone had a positive impact on participants’ feelings of empowerment, connection to community, and intention to practice safer sexual behaviors.
Free Zone’s approach was based on a Community Building Model that rests upon a combination of Social Support Theory, Empowerment Theory, and Social Marketing. A standard in HIV prevention for queer adult men, this model was designed for individuals who had already come to terms with their sexual orientation and were financially independent. Free Zone’s effectiveness was contingent upon staff adapting this model to meet the needs of adolescents.
The presentation will outline project activities, difficulties and successes, and will highlight how the Community Building Model was adapted to meet the needs of GBTQ male teens, including those just beginning to come out. In addition, it will describe factors that project participants identified as contributing to sexual risk-taking among their peers and discuss the implications these may have for further research on HIV risk among this population.
Learning Objectives: As a result of attending this session, participants will be able to: 1) List 4 needs of young gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer and questioning (GBTQQ) teens to consider when designing HIV prevention programs for this population; 2) Describe 5 possible co-factors for HIV risk among young GBTQQ teens; 3) Articulate how to adapt a Community Building Model of HIV Prevention for adult gay and bisexual men to be effective with young GBTQQ male adolescents
Keywords: Adolescent Health, HIV Interventions
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: San Francisco Department of Public Health/Wedge Program
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.