Improving LGBTQ Cultural Competency in Graduate Public Health Programs

An important aspect of a public health education is a commitment to diversity, which includes gender identity and sexual orientation.  However, inclusion of these topics in public health curricula varies between programs and is often limited.  This workshop will describe efforts to improve LGBTQ cultural competency in schools of public health, present a case study from Tulane University in New Orleans, and make recommendations for improving cultural competency in graduate public health curricula and school culture.

Though Tulane University’s School of Public Health is one of the oldest in the U.S., the formation of a queer student organization at the institution began in 2013. Students from across degree programs and academic disciplines came together to create the group, seeking to improve the Tulane Public Health community’s awareness and understanding of cultural and health-related LGBTQ issues.  An Executive Committee was formed to guide the organization’s first steps towards accomplishing these goals.

To assess the current state of LGBTQ cultural competency in U.S. schools of public health, we conducted a preliminary literature review in addition to a needs assessment at Tulane’s School of Public Health.  The Executive Committee then evaluated available institutional resources, solicited feedback from current students, faculty, and staff, and formed partnerships with other graduate programs at Tulane. From these inputs, a mission statement was established. “The mission of the Tulane Society for Sexuality, Health and Gender (TSSHaG) shall be to create a public health forum that works at the intersections of health, gender, and sexuality, with a particular focus on their relevance to marginalized communities. This shall be accomplished through critical conversation, analysis, internal capacity building, and community development. TSSHaG is a space for people of all gender identities and sexualities interested in promoting such endeavors.”

The initial needs assessment at Tulane identified educational opportunities, social events, and community involvement as primary areas of interest for students and faculty. Accordingly, TSSHaG has begun hosting periodic social gatherings to build community within the institution, as well as a semester-long ‘webinar series,’ screening selected modules from Fenway Health’s on-demand offerings. Future activities will include safe zone trainings, film screenings, and community outreach opportunities.

This presentation will outline the formation, early progress, and future directions of TSSHaG as one model for improving LGBTQ cultural competency at a higher education institution. Additionally, members of TSSHaG’s Executive Committee will facilitate a discussion of strategies that can be employed within academic communities to improve LGBTQ cultural competency. We invite conference participants to offer additional perspectives and share experiences from their own institutions.