IHS Hosts Second LGBT Listening Session: September 11, 2015
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![A group of 15 session attendees and IHS staff gathered for a photo in the conference room at the HHS Humphrey Building during the IHS Second Listening Session on American Indian and Alaska Native Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health Issues.](https://files.hiv.gov/s3fs-public/IHS-blog-image-e1442525670995.jpg)
This meeting was planned due to requests from community members for continued conversations with IHS leadership during the United States Conference on AIDS. While HIV and AIDS are not LGBT-specific health issues, the LGBT population is often disproportionately burdened by HIV infections. Several of the sessions' participants were able to travel to Washington, D.C., to attend both meetings.
Participants brought a number of concerns to the table, including recommendations in the areas of clinical practice, behavioral health, customer service and organizational strategies. Additionally, participants stressed the importance of including traditional and cultural components when addressing AI/AN LGBT health care needs and delivery challenges.
We thank our participants for offering us the opportunity to advance and promote the health of American Indian and Alaska Native LGBT communities.