Stories of Impact

LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland - Transwellness Program

Meeting the Need for Accessible and culturally competent health & Wellness Support

Meeting the distinct needs of all subsets of the LGBTQ+ community is not a new focus for the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland. In fact, since its inception in 1975 the LGBT Center has expanded its direct services, education, and outreach to provide an environment where all members of Cleveland’s diverse community are welcomed, accepted, and supported without discrimination or judgment. Evolving aspects of LGBTQ+ identity and recognition of subcultures is driving increased awareness and understanding of varying needs and disparities that impact health and well-being, especially among individuals that identify as transgender or non-binary. Often faced with significant bias and discrimination in the provision of health care and other supportive services, transgender and non-binary individuals experience a high prevalence of mental and physical health issues.

When Tamika "Devinity" Jones first entered the LGBT Center in 2015 she found herself trying to fit into an environment that was helpful, but not necessarily equipped to meet her unique needs as a transgender woman of color struggling with significant social barriers and lack of stability. She came in to charge her phone with no real understanding of what the Center could offer at this unsettled juncture in her life. During sporadic visits, her only source of conversation occurred with the youth director who over time asked Jones to share her real-life testimony, answer questions, and help prepare meals for the kids. That evolved into her cooking up extra food for appreciative members of the community now drawn inside by the appealing aroma of a home-cooked meal. This new sense of purpose and self-value, along with encouragement from the LGBT Center team, let Jones find her footing.

Today, the LGBT Center has a dedicated Transwellness program tailored to address the deep and unique need for accessible and culturally competent health care and wellness support services for transgender and non-binary individuals. At its helm is Jones – the inspiration behind its creation stemming from her own lived experience – hired as a program coordinator. Considering the mix of different backgrounds and situations, the program affords an opportunity for transgender and non-binary individuals to discuss various aspects of their journey, share resources, celebrate successes, and support each other to overcome challenges. “This program is all about promoting independence, dignity and the well-being of our local transgender community in a culture that’s inclusive and supportive,” shared Jones. “It’s about building a structure that makes people feel human through a sense of belonging, especially when they believe there is no one in the world they can turn to.”

Weekly in-person and virtual trans-specific drop-in sessions offer information and opportunities for participants to develop connections among peers, build relationships and trust with the staff, and take advantage of activities and resources that increase health and well-being. Each session includes social time, community discussion, and educational presentations by staff, partner organizations or guest speakers representing culturally attuned medical/mental/sexual health providers. Topics are selected deliberately to address and reduce everyday challenges encountered by transgender and bi-nary people that create stressful situations and inhibit a path towards life structure and stability. These may include legal aid for name changes on birth certificates, IDs, and other vital documents to better match their identities; managing implicit bias, bullying and violence; securing a job and dressing for success; finding safe housing; help with health benefits sign-up or systems navigation; and debunking myths and misinformation that hinder care of health. “The ability to come in knowing we’re here to help them focus on making life better no matter how long it takes is huge,” offers Jones. “Situations are assessed, self-goals are discussed, and staff check-ins provide motivation to stay on track.” Attendees often find the program via cross-referrals through community relationships, word-of-mouth, social media, and street outreach. To encourage ongoing participation and accommodate for the transient nature of the community, meals are provided, and transportation through an Uber or bus voucher offered.

Two consecutive grants from Three Arches Foundation boosted resources for the LGBT Center to grow and enhance the Transwellness program. This support is a vital part of adopting a holistic approach towards addressing the many layers of health and well-being. According to the National Center for Transgender Equity, transgender people are twice as likely as the general population to face health-related disparities and barriers to care, high rates of unemployment, homelessness, and housing discrimination often compounded by harassment, violence, and psychological distress. “Transgender individuals are a high-risk population for physical, mental and behavioral health problems and significantly more likely to experience poor health outcomes,” comments Gulnar Feerasta, director of programs at the LGBT Center. “The ability to find, navigate and utilize health services is a significant factor to improving and maintaining quality of life for those faced with exclusion and marginalization.” Along with rotating care services and regular HIV testing delivered through local community health partners, the Center has an onsite nurse manager and a trauma informed mental health provider who work in tandem to treat real-time issues or actively refer to healthcare professionals that are knowledgeable and affirming of an individual’s specific needs. Feerasta adds, “We’re seeing more individuals seek out trans-specific health services and tell us about their positive experiences verse a past tendency to avoid or delay medical care because of fear or history of stigma and discrimination.”

 With more transgender individuals than ever before approaching the LGBT Center in need of support, there is now greater emphasis to reach those not familiar with program or reluctant to seek out services. The Popular Opinion Leaders (POL) program is deployed through street outreach efforts with the aid of trained workers from the local LGBTQ+ community that offer affirming outreach and advocacy for general and specific transgender nonconforming health issues. Building trusted relationships through a shared life experience allows POLs to reach individuals through informal networks or wherever they may congregate in the community. Viewed as “influencers,” POLs tailor their approach to conduct wellness checks, distribute hygiene kits and safe sex materials, drop-off food, secure transportation, and provide resource options for preventative care. “Our hope is that more people will consider utilizing resources and health services at the Center because of their POL relationships,” offers Jones. “But we also realize some will never feel comfortable walking in the door.” Part of new grant funding will help strengthen this impactful program with the addition of Alyssa Roberts, recently hired as part-time supervisor to work alongside five current POLs.

Located in Gordon Square, the LGBT Community Center is the oldest advocacy and support organization in Ohio dedicated to LGBTQ+ individuals and the third oldest LGBTQ+-focused agency in the country. In addition to a diverse array of services and wellness supports, the Center refers to a network of trusted partners across the region that are committed to respectfully serving these individuals. From health and wellness programming to services and advocacy for elders, to cultural sensitivity training for the community, the Center aims to bring people into their system of care.

“At the end of the day transgender people want the same as everyone else – to be a respectful part of society with a sense of belonging and purpose,” states Jones. “For me, that gap began to fill at the Center over a stove full of mac and cheese and shrimp alfredo.” Through her own ups and downs Jones’ determination to bring to light the need for an inclusive and safe place of belonging significantly improved her personal situation and that of many others across the community. “We’re seeing a comfort level among the local transgender community with increased visits to the Center for resources and support they don’t have elsewhere,” adds Feerasta. “It’s a drop-in program with fluctuation expected - but we’ve already surpassed last year’s total participation through a steady stream of program attendees in first quarter 2022 alone.” Focused on better situations and treatment with dignity, the LGBT Center’s well-thought Transwellness program is making great headway towards filling a crucial and unmet need in the community.

To learn more about the LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland and Transwellness Program, visit www.lgbtcleveland.org/

 Photos courtesy of LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland

Published May 2022