By RICHARD BUCEY

The Umbrella Program, an LGBTQ Program for Youth and Families that is operated by the Adolescent AIDS Program at Montefiore Medical Center, had their official launch on June 5 at the hospital’s Tishman Center.  The program is designed to offer comprehensive medical care and support for LGBTQ youth, and was developed as a response to the disparities in HIV healthcare among some Bronx communities.

Dr. Donna Futterman, working with the Adolescent AIDS Program, opened the presentation with an overview of the health challenges facing LGBTQ youth. When asked what she thought the reason was for the spike in HIV rates in the past two years, she offered a sobering response.

“Sadly, these young people don’t have the terrifying image of the epidemic in the 1980s.  So some people are not afraid of the virus,” said Futterman. “On the flip side, others are so daunted by the stress of trying to remain negative that they give up and just assume that they will one day contract the virus.  We simply need to ramp up our prevention efforts every five years for each new generation.”

These prevention efforts are especially important in the Bronx which has a troubled history with HIV, coupled with the highest infection rates in all five boroughs, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

“HIV has always been prevalent in the Bronx as it is where the epidemic was first identified, and is an intersection of poverty and racial tension.  This is combined with the lack of space for LGBTQ youth to socialize,” explained Futterman.

The symposium’s topics included managing the risk of HIV, later transitioning into presentations and talks over the social well-being of LGBTQ youth who have the highest rates of sexual activity, drug/alcohol use, and depression/suicidal thoughts, according to surveys presented during the forum. The surveys also showed that once a person’s sexual identity is accepted by the family, those same risk factors revert to levels typically seen among adolescents.

Dr. Caitlin Ryan, Director of the Family Acceptance Project, spoke of the importance of familial acceptance for LGBTQ youth. Ryan outlined techniques for helping teens assist their families to accept their sexual identity, emphasizing the importance of family and retaining cultural identity. “…[W]e (social workers) know that taking adolescents away from their families is not the solution,” said Ryan. She added that it is important to work in conjunction with cultural institutions such as churches rather than fight them.

The presentation also noted that social workers and doctors should never make assumptions about a person’s sexual identity.  “A young lesbian might have a hard time articulating to her gynecologist why she isn’t taking birth control. It is on healthcare professionals to ask the right questions,” said Ryan.

Ryan recommended that healthcare professionals should also provide a more straightforward and judgment-free approach when providing care to an LGBTQ member, regardless of whether they are HIV positive or not.

Jesse Milan, a fellow at the Altarum Institute healthcare consulting nonprofit, concluded the symposium with a presentation entitled “Ending the HIV Epidemic among Young Gay Men.” In it, he reported that New York City has excellent programs that offer cheap treatment for managing the viral loads of those who are HIV positive.  Those who are HIV negative are faced with steep costs when trying to acquire Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PREP), a medication designed to prevent the transmission of the virus.

Despite the relatively high rate of HIV in the Bronx, Futterman remains optimistic.  “The Bronx is in the lead in a lot of ways. Many local organizations and communities, not only Montefiore, have stepped up to address this pressing issue.”