Providing Equal Access for African American LGBTQ Populations 

This training will explore the breadth of identities associated with African American lesbian gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) communities, as well as the challenging life circumstances and multiple forms of discrimination that affect well-being. Participants will learn to utilize culturally competent language and behavior for addressing and working with this population, and increase their knowledge of health care access, legal, and policy issues that impact African American LGBTQ communities. This training will highlight best practices for providing equal access to African American LGBTQ individuals and families in substance use disorder treatment programs and other community health settings. Participants will work together to develop concrete strategies to specific scenarios that they might encounter in their work, and explore LGBTQ-affirming procedures and systems for effective service provision. Interactive, solutions-oriented, and engaging, this workshop will provide opportunities for learning and problem solving at all knowledge levels.

Objectives:

• Define terms, identities, and concepts associated with African American LGBTQ communities
• Utilize culturally appropriate language and behavior for addressing and working with African American LGBTQ populations
• Describe systemic barriers to health care access, and legal and policy issues that impact African American LGBTQ communities
• Develop culturally competent best practices for working with African American LGBTQ and gender nonconforming individuals and families