Becoming an Ally and Engaging the LGBT Community

Audience: All levels of experience. Individuals working in health equity and/or LGBT communities.

Key Points:

Project Filter ™, over six years, developed a reciprocal relationship with the LGBT community which involved: financial, community and resource support through Pride activities throughout the state; support of a local community center which included serving on the board , marketing and program development; support of the first LGBT youth conference in the state which included tobacco prevention education; LGBT media campaigns involving local celebrities; a  Facebook quit campaign involving posts from a local celebrity trying to quit; assistance to gay bars going smoke-free; on-site cessation services; state-wide LGBT health assessment surveys that culminated in the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity on the BRFSS and expansion into other areas of public health; and adoption of smoke-free and tobacco industry support-free policies. The program went from a Health and Welfare program that was boo-ed at it’s first Pride event to a program that is the first to be called to support the latest community program or smoke-free gay bar. Ads may be viewed at: www.  http://issuu.com/theo30

Educational Experience: The audience will learn through lecture, and powerpoint.

Benefits: Working with populations that have little acknowledgement from state agencies and a lot of validation from the tobacco industry is challenging. Involving the community in outreach decisions and working in a reciprocal manner can be both informing and create strong relationships to address challenging public health issues.