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Virology Research Journal | Volume 2
May 18-19, 2018 | Montreal, Canada
2nd World Conference on
STDs, STIs & HIV/AIDS
There is a psychosexual health crisis in the African-American
community, with disproportionate rates of HIV/AIDS
infections and poorer medical treatment outcomes. In contrast
to the homophobic responses of most historically black
churches (HBCs), some HBCs are offering an affirmativeministry
for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) individuals.
Dr. Lewis has been exploring the experiences of LGBT-affirming
African-American ministers and HBCs, and their responses
to the psychosexual health needs of LGBT individuals in the
African-American community. In his dissertation research, Dr.
Lewis used a Heuristic methodology to explore the historical,
theological, and practical dimensions of four LGBT-affirming
HBCs. In his current research project, Dr. Lewis is conducting
a narrative study with African-American minister who offer
an LGBT affirmative ministry within the African American
community. In addition to sharing the research findings,
Dr. Lewis will discuss the lessons learned from conducting
community-based research projects with HBCs and ministers
in the African-American community. The objectives of present
study are: (1) The impacts of religiously-based stigmatization on
the psychosexual health of African-American LGBT individuals
and their families; (2) The emerging LGBT affirming ministries
within Historically Black Churches and African American
Communities and (3) The importance of interdisciplinary
collaborations between churches, public health workers, and
social workers for addressing the biological, psychological,
social, sexual, and spiritual health needs African-American LGBT
individuals and their families.
Speaker Biography
Terrence O Lewis has extensive clinical experience working with individuals and
couples in community mental health settings and private practice. As a community-
based researcher, he focuses on the relationships between churches and marginalized
populations including LGBT and ethnic minority communities. His dissertation research
was on the phenomenon of LGBT- affirming Black churches and their responses to the
HIV/AIDS crisis. Building on the rich findings from the dissertation, his current research
project is a narrative study with African-American pastors who develop and offer a
LGBT- affirming ministry within African American Communities.
e:
Terrence O Lewis
West Chester University, USA
Addressing the intersections between religion, LGBTQ identities and psychosexual
health in African-American Communities