Connecting to our whole selves: Reaching LGBT African Americans

African American LGBT people are receptive to public health messages when they are delivered through approaches that address their desire for affiliation any be health educators competent in the co-existing identifies of gender, race, and orientation. A Midwest community-based organization has effectively used ongoing leadership development forums and stipends to provide HIV information and skill development to 25 African American transgender sex workers/traders. The organization has also developed an African American lesbian and bisexual women's leadership development program that focuses on reproductive justice. Similarly, bi-weekly leadership development sessions with a group of volunteer community health workers has emphasized their development as community leaders in addition to the information they need regarding tobacco cessation and alcohol abuse prevention. Each of these subpopulations plans and implements individual and community health promotion activities, evaluates their outcomes, and reflects on their personal development. Individual behavioral outcomes are also measured in these projects. All program participants are encouraged to join in community recreational and visibility opportunities that are hosted by an African American social and educational program. Community holiday events, Black History Month programs, film series, and women's, men's, and transgender women's retreats have been featured.