The 2023 LGBT Detroit Leadership Academy Graduate Perspectives
In reflection of the many identities and intersections you bring, please write a 300-word response and answer how YOU can address and neutralize HIV stigma in your individualized community. In your response, you must cite at least two educational programs to tie in everything you’ve learned throughout The Academy.
LDLA HIV Stigma Essay
The stigma surrounding HIV and Advanced HIV is the result of misinformation, lack of information and pseudo-morality based ideals. As it stands, the harmful views of the virus and the people that currently live with it impact all members of society on varying intersectional levels. According to the study An Expanded Definition of Intersectional Stigma for Public Health Research and Praxis intersectional stigma has been defined as the “interdependent and mutually constitutive relationship between social identities and structural inequities.” and in order to combat said stigma intervention techniques must be implemented: “(1) recognize and name how systems of power, privilege, and oppression intersect to affect individual experiences and fuel stigma; (2) aim to dismantle systems of power, privilege, and oppression, and mitigate the harms caused by those systems; (3) ensure community leadership and meaningful engagement; and (4) support collective action, cohesion, and resistance to address the intersecting axes of inequities.” (Sievwright KM, Et Al.)
From my training in the Leadership Academy I gained a deeper understanding of how entrenched HIV related stigma is in society and the cycle of harm it creates. When a person is exposed to the virus, they may not have the information on when or how to get tested. The internalized feelings of guilt and shame they experience as a result of community views may also deter them from seeking out treatment. If treatment is sought, they may experience care that is of low quality or even have care workers who will discriminate towards them. As well as inability to afford treatment. As a client advocate, I work with populations of people who have been pushed towards the margins of society and who are at the most risk for HIV exposure and transmission. Such as the unhoused, the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated, and folks who experience substance use disorders and mental health disorders. I combat HIV and Advanced HIV stigma in my work and in my community by echoing the teachings of my Leadership Academy facilitators. I connect my clients with resources such as UNIFIED, Michigan HIV/STI Hotline, MIDAP, Gilead - ACDVANcING ACCess and the Detroit Project Recovery. I encourage testing and recommend places that offer low cost to free testing. I challenge harmful views by offering research and a new perspective of the virus. I like to use the example Mister articulated in our second workshop: A person who lives with HIV or Advanced HIV is less likely to pass away than a person who lives with diabetes. Reframing how we speak about the virus will then reframe our thoughts and views. I hope to continue to utilize my training in my everyday life and career as well as continue to strengthen my knowledge and understanding of the virus.
Written by
Camille Hollenquest
The LGBT Detroit Leadership Fellowship has taught me how to recognize, address, and neutralize HIV Stigma in my community. Prior to this fellowship, my only knowledge as it related to the impact of HIV was connected to our jagged history. I had a very limited knowledge surrounding HIV Stigma and how it was impacting the current LGBT+ community. Through this fellowship I have expanded my knowledge on the history of HIV as well as the current efforts to educate our community and limit its impact. I know that the work does not stop with just myself, there is still work to be done in our communities to neutralize HIV Stigma.
Thinking about how to address and neutralize HIV Stigma in my community has me reflecting on how I learned about the topic myself. A component I greatly appreciated was the Stigma Fighters Training. I thought it was especially beneficial because of how we were able to break down the different forms of stigma, governmental, interpersonal, familial etc. Connecting this with my current work with Detroit Youth using Healing circles, I think a potential program could be to invite community members and other stakeholders to take part in healing circles led by current leaders in the fight against HIV Stigma. This could be a way to not only build community by bringing people together, but also to continue to dismantle HIV Stigma by encouraging dialogue and educating participants. These circles could be an ongoing program to educate the community on the different types of HIV stigma. This way participants can take part in deeper discussions and reflections on how and where the different stigmas show up in their daily lives and communities.
Written by
Caitlin Crutcher
Fighting The Stigmas of HIV
It has been a pleasantly eye-opening experience being involved with the HIV stigma fighters during the LGBT Detroit leadership academy, over this past summer. Prior to this program I picked up knowledge in regards to HIV from places like science courses within general education, as well as my past studies as a biology major. The information I previously received focused solely on the virus itself and how someone could be exposed to or acquire it. Within those areas of gained knowledge somethings I did not gain until the stigma fighters, are deeper understandings of what acquiring HIV actually means for a persons health and wellbeing, verbiage with empathetic bearing surrounding the topic, and more information on current stigmas that require direct engagement so that the narrative can be changed. Creating spaces where people can comfortably have conversations in a community based environment is very much so necessary in the advancement of HIV awareness and to fight its stigmas.
Due to governmental stigma, there are people being profiled and being discriminated against by unfair laws placed by uneducated or outdated information. As we continue to educate ourselves we must also attempt to extend this knowledge to those in our legislature, the people running our country need to be appropriately held accountable for creating bills and laws, based off of biased views on HIV. Within the healthcare stigma there are still healthcare professionals who choose to deny care, avoid treatment, or overcomplicate the care of patients with HIV due to lack of knowledge. We depend on our healthcare professionals for entirely too much to be concerned about not receiving treatment, simply because they have a lack of knowledge.
Rallying around new advancements in science, and more current information should be a starting point for the community to request all hospitals update protocols and re-educate or inform its staff in regards to care of a person living with HIV. I plan to continue being a HIV Stigma fighter within and around my community. There aren’t many places I find myself in where the topic of HIV is brought up, but generally when it is mentioned it has a negative connotation and is often an uncomfortable topic because of it. Being able to respond in a way that shows compassion and empathy is something we have to be better at when it comes to this subject. I have learned of more empathetic ways of addressing people living with HIV as well as finding better ways to show those people in our community support, because it can be a scary road to travel alone. Using supportive language to let people know they are still cared for no matter their status is a small step that has a huge impact. We must continue to acknowledge science over stigma, and facts over feelings, while being that support. May the fight continue, there is still lots of work to be done.
Written by
Dasia Werts
ENROLLING NEW MEMBERS FOR 2024
The LGBT Detroit Leadership Academy is a dynamic platform that fosters leadership development, mentorship, and support within the LGBT+ community. LGBT Detroit's mission is to activate, amplify, and sustain LGBT+ culture, education, advocacy, and human rights, which starts with our youth.
As we prepare to launch our new cohort, we are actively seeking both proteges and mentors to join our program. Here's a brief overview of what our Academy offers:
For Mentors:
+ The chance to make a meaningful impact in young adults’ lives
+ Opportunities to share your knowledge and experiences
+ A chance to give back to the LGBTQ+ community
+ Personal and professional growth through mentorshiP
For Proteges:
+ Comprehensive leadership training
+ Networking opportunities
+ Personalized mentorship from experienced LGBT+ leaders
+ HIV stigma Fighter trainings
+ Community engagement and outreach experiences
If you are interested in learning more about The Leadership Academy please visit our website www.lgbtdetroit.org/theacademy. Program Coordinator, Maria Knott, would be delighted to set up a meeting or provide additional information.