Latino sexual health program La Q launches

Two years ago, Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted raids throughout the Austin area, including one a block away from the AIDS Services of Austin offices on Cameron Road. Concerned clients at the time began asking the nonprofit: What’s happening? Is this a safe space?

For Alberto Barragan, the nonprofit’s health promotion director, creating know-your-rights pamphlets and guiding conversations about immigration became an important part of the health organization’s work. “Until we address social and economic barriers only then can we address sexual health,” he said.

In Travis County, Latinos make up about 43% of new HIV-positive diagnoses, according to Austin Public Health, and finding innovative ways to reach a growing Latino population has become crucial to AIDS Services of Austin, which recently launched a program specifically for Latinos called La Q.

The nonprofit's new program is modeled after an existing one, The Q, which for the past two decades has helped young gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Austinites ages 18-29 to normalize conversations about sexual health through workshops, events and social support groups. The Latino-specific version aims not only to provide programming in Spanish, but also to address the issues young Latinos face.

Barragan said La Q plans to tackle such topics as how to come to terms with gender identity while being religious or navigating life while having a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals permit, which provides protection from deportation to more than 100,000 young immigrants in Texas. Many of the programs, he said, also will be offered in English for Latinos who may not speak Spanish fluently but are still interested in the topics.

“With the Latino community disproportionately affected by HIV, creating spaces where we can talk about sexual health in ways that are familiar with Latino culture is important,” said Juan Benitez, The Q/La Q’s events specialist.

In 2017, the nonprofit launched what’s become the popular annual Selena Drag Show Brunch, which last year drew about 300 people. This year’s brunch — at noon April 14 at Michelada’s Cafe y Cantina, 333 E. Second St. — also will include free HIV and syphilis testing.

At The Q, Benitez said, they often see Latino clients who don’t trust health institutions.

“We want to let people know that we are willing to meet people where they are and that comes in different forms, including a fun event that keeps the legacy of Selena alive,” he said. “Latinos come in different shapes, colors and backgrounds. Every voice (at La Q) is going to be heard.”

Focusing on Latino outreach, Barragan said, will help with Austin’s goal of zero new HIV infections by 2030 — a commitment the city made last summer when it signed a global initiative with more than 90 cities worldwide.

In 2016, there were more than 4,000 Austin-area residents living with HIV, according to Austin Public Health. Every year, the city estimates, 250 new cases are diagnosed in the Austin area.