Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #101718

Molly C. Franks, BA, Washington County Pride Project, P.O. Bx. 8459, Portland, OR 97207, 503.493.7437, molly_franks@yahoo.com

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth face numerous health risks including HIV, suicide, and addictions to tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. The youth grow up confronting homophobia, racism, and social marginalization. Although connections between social factors such as poverty and poor health are well documented, less attention has been paid to the relationship between oppression and individual health. In order to effectively address these issues, LGBTQ youth themselves must be involved in identifying problems and solutions. The Pride Project model develops youths' critical thinking and organizing skills to transform the social structures that relegate LGBTQ youth to the margins of their families, schools, and communities, and place them at risk of negative health outcomes. The Pride Project uses the Latin American concept of promotores/as: community members who participate in a process of capacity building and consciousness-raising that enables them to better advocate for and organize their communities. In this model, 15-20 LGBT youth leaders participate in a 40-hour training program. They then develop behavioral and structural interventions to reduce incidence of HIV or other negative health outcomes among their peers. I will present an overview of the recruitment, training curriculum, and activities of a promotores/as program for an ethnically diverse group of LGBT youth that could be applied in urban or suburban areas.

Learning Objectives:

• · Understand the concept of promotores/as (a model of community organizing with roots in Latin America).
• · Articulate the need for addressing structural barriers to the health of LGBT youth such as homophobia, racism, and adultism.
• · Understand the design and application of a model for working with LGBT youth on structural and behavioral factors related to health issues such as HIV.
• · Consider the practical application of such a program in their community.

Keywords: Gay, Youth

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation