The beyond identities community center: A community-focused, rights-based program to address HIV/AIDS and sexual health among young men who have sex with men of color in Cleveland, Ohio

Abstract

For many, the modern HIV/AIDS epidemic has grown in soil, on a landscape, already marred with enormous threat and peril. The persistent realities of poverty, racism, homophobia, gender inequality, structural and interpersonal violence, and inequitable distribution of health care resources have collectively provided fertile ground for an expanding epidemic marked by staggering imbalances in access to care, and the menu of care available. For lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender (LGBT) youth of color in the USA, we can add to those larger realities more particular conditions: in many cities, the public education system is crumbling and no longer prepares youth for the future; the supposed zone of safety for youth?the family?may actually be dangerous because of family's reaction to disclosure of sexual identity. Even the streets, for those youth whose gender expressions do not conform to expected norms, pose enormous risk?sometimes from others in the neighborhood, sometimes from the very individuals and institutions, such as the police, who are charged with protecting individuals from harm. Telling the truth about who you are?being open and un-self-censoring about identity?can get you murdered. Not telling the truth, as has been reinforced throughout this volume, can increase your risk of other harms, including mental illness, substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS.