LGBTQ Health

LGBTQ Community

The Office of HIV/AIDS (OHA) strives to provide quality HIV care and prevention services to all Georgians, regardless of sexual identity or gender expression. Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBTQ) community face multiple barriers that can potentially affect their ability to access services and address critical healthcare needs, including HIV. The ability of our health department providers and collaborative partners to deliver socially and culturally appropriate services that meet the needs of all clients and to fight the stigma that may inhibit access to these services is a top priority for OHA.

Below are some of the initiatives that OHA has put in place to improve HIV-related health outcomes for those identifying as LGBTQ Georgians:

  • In collaboration with Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), OHA conducted an extensive statewide survey to help us better understand the stigma related disparities affecting access to HIV prevention services and designed anti-stigma social media campaigns based on those findings.  Click here to view survey results.
  • Customized training curricula for HIV testing and prevention staff to include modules that specifically address the negative effects of discrimination for LGBTQ individuals.
  • Established policies and procedures that mandate annual cultural humility training among Health Department providers.
  • Implemented an ambassador program, training young adults from the LGBTQ community to serve as personal experience speakers and outreach specialists for HIV prevention providers. 
  •  Designated membership on our statewide Georgia Prevention and Care Council (GPACC) to ensure input from the most impacted populations, including representation from the LGBTQ community.
  • Created a staff position (MSM Coordinator) to develop and implement a statewide strategy to specifically address HIV infections in gay,bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM).

In this section, you can review the 2016 - 2021 Georgia Statewide MSM Strategic Plan. Georgia Department of Public Health’s approach to addressing HIV/AIDS among young and adult gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men.

The Statewide MSM Strategic Plan’s position statement is to end the transmission of HIV infections among Georgia’s gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men and provide superior health care and support services for those who become HIV positive.  The Statewide MSM Strategic Plan mirrors national strategies and includes goals and specialized projects.

The Statewide MSM Strategic Plan provides guidance and communicates set priorities to focus energy and resources, strengthen operations andensure agencies and stakeholders are working toward common goals.  Please Note: The Statewide MSM Strategic Plan should be used as a template by your agency or organization to guide activities and projects.

Page last updated 03/19/2018