Wellness, resiliency and coalitions

Forum 2006 Program

A community of gay men of color and our women allies gathered for a day of communal reflection, dialogue, and the creation of a forward-looking, self-defined plan of action. The title, In Our Own Voice, reflected our deep desire to define – from within – what constitutes our health and well-being, intentionally resisting external labels and definitions from government, academic and public health officials.

As we faced the third decade of the devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic, we chose to focus on our wellness and strengths. Instead of listening to yet another list of statistical findings about factors that puts us at risk, we chose to create an action plan that emerges from a shared sense of resiliency. It was a day of reflection and planning that we knew would renew our commitment and enthusiasm in the work for social justice.

We invited a group of women allies who, as researchers and service providers, have contributed to national conversations of the health of women and gay men of color. There have been too few opportunities for us, as gay men, to learn from the women’s health movement as a strategy for expanding our response to HIV/AIDS.