An Intersectional Approach

Lorna Boschman, University of British Columbia Jacqueline Gahagan, Dalhousie University Clemon George, University of Ontario Institute of Technology Nathan Lachowsky, University of Guelph Daniel Pugh, Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance of Ontario Moderator: Brian Condran, Dalhousie University

1.Define LGBTQ-specific public health issues and related health outcomes among participants. 2.To identify ways in which sexual and gender minority status may impact health outcomes beyond the domain of sexual health. 3.To explore intersectional approaches for incorporating LGBTQ pathways to health into public health, health promoting initiatives. 4.To develop mulitsectoral partnerships aimed at meeting the health needs and realities of LGBTQ populations through this national dialogue.

1.Panel 2.Small group discussion 3.Plenary

Moving from “deficits” to “strengths” –Health outcomes Expanding beyond sexual health –Physical, mental and social health Incorporating new theory/frameworks –Life course –Minority stress Researching for action –Sex Now: substance use/experience –Cruising Counts: online social-sexual circuits Population-specific health information –Public Health Core Competencies

1.What are the important principles of and approaches to conducting needs assessments / priority setting with LGBTQ+ communities? 2.How might we better collect data to appropriately document the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals? How do we change these systems and processes? 3.How do we establish and nurture the necessary mulit-sectoral partnerships in order to deliver culturally appropriate public health initiatives to highly diverse LGBTQ+ communities?

Black Canadian youth and their parents face challenges in discussing sexual health, dating, relationships (and HIV); Several intersecting factors augment these challenges- such as: – Gender – Culture – Intergenerational shifts – Prominent role of parents in interventions

How can public health workers support youth in their sexual health development without ignoring the role of Black parents? How can public health workers support Black parents in the sexual health development of youth without being seen as disrespectful?

Cross Canada study of LGBT2Q adults who have been diagnosed with breast or gynecologic cancer Study probes how knowledge is gathered to inform treatment decisions In-depth interviews and Digital Storytelling data 56 patient and 16 support person interviews to date

How can public health workers go beyond “inclusion” to incorporate capacity to mobilize, modify and distribute cancer health knowledge? How can public health workers promote electronic patient records with information about gender identity and sexual orientation?

HIV and STI rates continue to remain disproportionately high Evidence of mental and emotional impacts are profound “Syndemics” and the intersectional lives of gay men Resilience: leveraging strengths and capacities What is the Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance? What is “Our Agenda”?

1.How might we define what a public health “priority” looks like for gay men in Canada? 2.How can we address the structural factors (beyond sexuality) that impact gay men? 3.How might we shift gay men’s health to something beyond “the knee to the navel”?