In an effort to cultivate more inclusive campuses for LGBTQ students, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation has collaborated with colleges and universities nationwide to develop its Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program and its PrEP Ambassador Program. The programs focus on building a network of leaders to eliminate stigma and enrich the college experience for LGBTQ students attending HBCUs.
The PrEP Ambassador Program selects 11 students on HBCU campuses to educate and help eliminate HIV and AIDS-related stigma. PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a medication that is over 99% effective in preventing HIV during sex, and the program ensures that PrEP is offered nationwide on or near HBCU campuses.
Erica McPheeters, PrEP ambassador for Kentucky State University, said fighting the stigma against HIV and AIDS has empowered her and helped change her campus.
Erica McPheeters is a PrEP ambassador for Kentucky State University.
"I think [this program is] not only challenging, but it's tremendously rewarding," said McPheeters. "I see so much progress on other campuses, that invokes change in my organization. ... And I think a lot of times, LGBTQ students are not included in these conversations. So, to be working with my peers who are making a difference and being able to witness it in real-time is an amazing opportunity."
Over the past decade, HBCUs have made an effort to address an history of anti-LGBTQ stigma on their campuses. Many schools have established LGBTQ centers on campus, changed admissions policies to be more inclusive, and created a more inclusive curriculum.
Leslie Hall, director of the HBCU Program, said that HBCUs have historically been slower to adopt LGBTQ-friendly policies due to the faith-based roots of many HBCUs and a complex history with LGBTQ communities. Hall says HBCU campuses are working on being more inclusive of the LGBTQ community by addressing HIV-related stigma and the needs of LGBTQ students on campus.
