For Pride month, NCSD held a Brown Bag discussion on the dangers of whitewashing the LGBTQ movement and experience. The discussion started with an analysis of a Vox article addressing how many victims of the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando were whitewashed by politicians and media representatives. Despite 90 percent of victims being Latino, many politicians chose to gloss over this fact when addressing the tragedy. Regardless of whether this was done intentionally or not, it is important to remember that LGBTQ people of color are much more likely to be victims of hate crimes when compared to their white counterparts. This can be attributed to the fact that LGBTQ people of color face vastly different barriers in society, which is a result of their experiences being cast aside. Because the movement for LBGTQ rights has largely been led by white men, the black and Latinx queer experience has been silenced, which has had profound impacts on the visibility of these populations.

When examining this disparity in terms of public health and STD/HIV prevention, we see much of the same. While LGBTQ people account for the majority of STD/HIV cases, those that are minorities are disproportionately affected by HIV and STDs. As we know, the social determinants of health faced by people of color are profoundly different than those faced by white people. It is vital that public health professionals understand this, and work to actively address these determinants of health, rather than just the symptoms that a person comes in with. Although we may not be able to solve all of the societal problems that are faced by our constituents, there are ways we can more comprehensively approach sexual wellbeing. For example, if a LGBTQ youth of color comes in for a screening and you want to maintain this person within a system of care ask him or her what would prevent them from coming back. If it is issues related to stable housing, perhaps you could refer the individual to an organization that connects youth with shelters and temporary housing. This may seem insignificant, but if public health professionals can address the barriers to care that many people encounter, it is much more likely that people stay in these systems of care.

Much like the Pride Flag that is being displayed on streets throughout the USA this month, the LGBTQ community is a colorful composite of varying backgrounds and identities all facing unique challenges and barriers when it comes to sexual health. The field of public health and STD/HIV prevention will only benefit from a firm understanding that LGBTQ people of color face greater obstacles in attaining sexual wellness when compared to white LGBTQ folks. If active efforts are made to listen to these often-silenced voices, and approach their healthcare in a more holistic way, then we may be able to lessen some of the stark disparities we see today.

NCSD encourages our members to have these tough discussions with their own staff to foster a more understanding and comprehensive approach to promoting sexual health and health equity. Below you will find some useful resources to guide such a discussion.