Author: Brandy

TOT in Mystic Lake, Minnesota

The Center of Excellence held it’s third Training of Trainer (TOT) events last week in Mystic Lake, Minnesota.  Trainers from all over the country met over a 2-day period and learned about the curriculum “A Provider’s Introduction to Substance Abuse Treatment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Individuals (2nd Edition)”.  We now have over 60 trainers available who are able to deliver this curriculum to agencies and providers across the nation.

Thank you to everyone who applied to attend a TOT event – and to all who helped spread the word!

 

YMSM Pre-Conference Workshop

The YMSM + LGBT COE held a pre-conference workshop on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 in Universal City, California at the Hilton Universal Hotel.

Workshop attendees participated in a new training entitled, “Engaging and Retaining Young Men Who Have Sex with Men (YMSM) in Culturally Responsive Services”.  This course is a full-day training, which is intended for any providers who have contact with YMSM individuals (including MH and SUD clinicians, HIV providers, state, local and county government employees, primary care providers, public health practitioners, prevention specialists, community based organizations, teachers and counselors).  The curriculum consists of five modules, beginning with an introduction to key terms and concluding with treatment considerations.  The other modules address culture, minority stress and related health issues.

By the end of the workshop participants were be able to:

  1. Define cultural competence, humility, proficiency and identity and incorporate practices that engage and retain YMSM in care.
  2. Define minority stress and explore its impact on the physical and mental health of YMSM & LGBT people.
  3. Identify two factors that might contribute to substance use among YMSM clients.

The Integrated Care Conference also featured and LGBT track.  To learn more please visit: Integrated Care Conference 2016

 

 

Questions?  Please email Brandy at btoeser@ucla.edu !

 

Native LGBTQ/Two Spirit Population

The National American Indian and Alaska Native ATTC is excited to share its most recent newsletter, a special issue focusing on the Native LGBTQ/Two Spirit population.  In this newsletter we celebrate the strength and resilience of the Native LGBTQ community.  Special guest writers include: Rick Haverkate, MPH Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians; Apacuar/Tutmalria Larry Kairaiuak, Yup’ik; and Michaela Grey, MPH, Dine´.  Each bring their own expertise and experiences to this newsletter.

In this issue, the National AI/AN ATTC also introduces its upcoming curriculum titled “Honoring Our Relations: Increasing Knowledge on Native LGBTQ/Two Spirit Wellness”.  This curriculum is designed to help increase provider’ knowledge and ability to respond to the challenges of Native LGBTQ/Two Spirit individuals.

We hope that you enjoy this special edition newsletter which can accessed at this link:

AI/AN ATTC Special Issue Newsletter

 

 

 

 

Stonewall National Monument

On June 24, 2016 President Obama designated Stonewall a National Monument.  This is America’s first LGBT national park site.

The Stonewall uprising in 1969 is considered one of the most pivotal events in the LGBT rights movement.

To read more please visit:   https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/06/24/presidential-proclamation-establishment-stonewall-national-monument  and https://www.nps.gov/ston/index.htm

 

 

Pulse Nightclub massacre in Orlando, Florida

The NALGAP Board of Directors released the following statement on the Pulse Nightclub massacre in Orlando, Florida. The Center of Excellence on YMSM + LGBT populations affirms and supports the statement.

 

The Board of Directors of NALGAP, The Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Addiction Professionals and Their Allies, wishes to express its deepest condolences to family and friends of those killed or injured in the senseless attacks in Orlando, Florida.

As most of us were just waking up on Sunday morning, June 12, 2016, we heard of the tragedy that had occurred. Those in the Orlando area most directly affected will need a lot of support. We also wish to remind our colleagues and fellow addiction professionals of the devastating impact of trauma on many of our clients; specifically, many of our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Gender Non-Confirming Clients will be profoundly affected. Interpersonal Violence and Community Trauma is unfortunately all too familiar to LGBTQ Individuals as well as our Allies, families and friends.

We are reminded that a gay nightclub like Pulse in Orlando is not just a bar. For many it was a sanctuary, a place to find community, to find others like yourself, to discovery you are not the only one. This connecting can be experienced by many, and for persons in early recovery, the connection can be very strong. Clients will experience a range of emotions following this tragedy. As addiction professionals, we have become increasingly aware of the impact of trauma for individuals affected by addictions.

We have been moved to the understanding that without trauma- informed care many clients will not be able to sustain recovery. The principles of a trauma-informed approach and trauma-specific interventions have become necessary in assisting our clients to heal. Following the tragedy in Orlando we need to be prepared to address the traumatic stress and unhealed wounds that will be experienced by our clients in the days, weeks and months to come.

We also need to be mindful of the affect this tragedy will have on our fellow NALGAP members; LGBTQ Addiction Professionals and our allies can also experience vicarious trauma during this difficult time. We need to create space that is safe for all to heal.

This is now the worst terrorist attack that has occurred in the United States since 9/11. As with other traumatic incidents, we often look to assign blame. While the shooter is accountable for his actions, far too often LGBT individuals can fall victim to self-blame, a belief that because of who they love and how they live, violence is to be expected. We need to be mindful of how damaging heterosexism can be.

NALGAP is here to offer our support to others. We will provide resources for others. Many of our board members are trained trauma counselors and are available to offer assistance. Together we will heal. Together we will stand strong. Together we will get through this. NALGAP has been there for the LGBT community since 1979, and we will continue our efforts to advocate for the health, safety and wellbeing of all.

Resources:

NALGAP: http://www.nalgap.org

National Council – Manage Trauma: http://www.thenationalcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Trauma-infographic.pdf

National LGBT Crisis Hotline: http://www.glbthotline.org/

National Crisis Intervention for LGBT Youth: http://www.thetrevorproject.org/

 

Regional LGBT Centers:

 

Los Angeles: http://www.lalgbtcenter.org/

New York: https://gaycenter.org/

Atlanta: http://www.rushcenteratl.org/

Chicago: http://www.centeronhalsted.org/

Seattle:  https://www.gaycity.org/

Orlando:  http://www.progressflorida.org/blog/2016/06/orlando-tragedy-what-you-can-do-help

 

APA Expresses Opposition To State Bills Targeting LGBT Citizens

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The American Psychological Association today condemned the recent spate of bills introduced in state legislatures (and signed into law in North Carolina and Mississippi) that would discriminate against transgender individuals.  The APA is calling for passage of the federal Equality Act, which would protect the broader LGBTQ community from discrimination in employment, marriage, and public accommodations.  We know from many years of psychological research that discrimination has significant adverse effects on health, and as one 15-year-old transgender student in North Carolina put it, “it (the new law) gives permission to bully people.”

Read more at: http://www.apa.org/about/policy/discriminatory-legislation.aspx

 

New Study: Same-Sex and Different-Sex Parent Households and Child Health Outcomes

A new study published in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics found that households with same-sex parents show no differences from those with different-sex parents with regard to spouse or partner relationships, parent-child relationships or children’s general health, emotional difficulties and coping and learning behavior.  Researchers from the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law, the University of Amsterdam and Columbia University contributed to the research.

The study is the first to use a nationally representative survey to compare two types of households by focusing only on those with parents that have been in a continuous relationship.  The study used data from the 2011-2012 National Survey of Children’s Health.

Access the full report at:   Same-Sex and Different-Sex Parent Households and Child Health Outcomes: Findings from the National Survey of Children’s Health

 

Young Transgender Women at Higher Risk of Depression and Addiction

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According to a recent article published in JAMA Pediatrics, young transgender women are more likely than the general U.S. population to be affected by substance use and mental health issues. The Project LifeSkills study, which involved nearly 300 transgender women between the ages of 16 and 29, was led by researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital. The study team found that approximately 42% of the participants had one more mental health or substance use disorder diagnosis, and 20% had two or more diagnoses. Further, the risk of mental health and substance use issues appears to increase with age.

 

With regard to specific mental health diagnoses, the study team found that about one-third of participants reported lifetime depression, and 15% were currently depressed. Approximately 20% reported having suicidal thoughts in the past month; 8% reported anxiety in the past 6 months; and approximately 10% reported having post-traumatic stress disorder. With regard to substance use disorder diagnoses, 11% reported past year alcohol dependence, and 15% reported non-alcohol substance dependence.

 

This study highlights the critical need for primary care and behavioral health providers to learn how to tailor their treatment programs and approaches to be more responsive to the needs of transgender individuals, particularly young transgender women. Improving access to routine primary care, diagnostic screening, psychotherapy, pharmacologic treatments, and retention in care are all essential components to more effectively address the mental health and substance use disorders in this population.

The full article can be accessed from: http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2504261

 

HIV Risk for Racial/Ethnic Minority Men Who Have Sex with Men

 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new research provides the first comprehensive national estimates of the lifetime risk of HIV diagnosis for several at risk populations – and in every state.  Results show that while the overall rate of HIV infection is declining, the risk of HIV infection remains very high among certain subgroups of the population, particularly racial/ethnic minority Men who have Sex with Men (MSM).  Specifically, this new CDC report shows that 1 in 2 Black MSM and 1 in 4 Latino MSM will be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetime.  In contrast, 1 in 11 White MSM are at risk of being diagnosed.

According to the CDC, a number of factors may contribute to the higher HIV risk associated with Black MSM, including: (1) Socioeconomic factors such as limited access to and use of quality health care, lower income and educational levels, and higher rates of unemployment and incarceration; (2) Smaller and more exclusive social networks—characterized by Black MSM partnering with other Black MSM, small population size and the higher prevalence of HIV in this population—that place Black MSM at greater risk of being exposed to HIV; (3) Sexual relationships with older men who are more likely to have HIV; and (4) Lack of awareness of HIV status, which leads to further spread of the virus to others.

The intent of this report is a call to action, for health care providers to consider the range of prevention and care strategies we have at our disposal, effective implementation of which can lend to future reductions of HIV infections and population disparities in the U.S. You can access the full CDC report at:CDC Report

 

 

 

 

 

Vanessa Goes to the Doctor

The National LGBT Cancer Network has just released a new 8-minute video, highlighting the issues transgender people face when attempting to access healthcare. “Vanessa Goes to the Doctor” uses a lighthearted format to demonstrate a serious set of obstacles, keeping the viewer engaged and evoking compassion for the character.  The video shows how the initial interactions with the healthcare provider can inadvertently alienate transgender patients and then offers concrete suggestions for change.

“Vanessa Goes to the Doctor” is available on YouTube now for anyone to use at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3eDKf3PFRo.

 

The video is part of a comprehensive LGBT cultural competence curriculum for health and social service providers. Funded by the AIDS Institute of the New York State Department of Health, the curriculum includes slides, talking points, activities, a total of 5 videos and evaluation forms. More information can be found at www.lgbtcultcomp.org or by contacting the National LGBT Cancer Network at info@cancer-network.org.

 

The National LGBT Cancer Network seeks to improve the lives of LGBT cancer survivors and those at risk by educating the LGBT community about our increased cancer risks and the importance of screening and early detection: training health care providers to offer more culturally-competent, safe and welcoming care; and advocating for LGBT survivors in mainstream cancer organizations, the media and research.