ABOUT US

At BlaqOut our definition of equity in society is for everyone in our cBlaqOut has solidified a place as a disruptive innovator in the field of HIV testing and prevention, telehealth, and PrEP/PEP access since our founding in 2017. By focusing on improving healthcare access and wellness outcomes for the most marginalized, BlaqOut has created new pathways to better care for our core membership, Kansas City’s Black, LGBTQ+ community and is now able to serve everyone in need of our easily accessible, no-cost services.

Mission Statement

BlaqOut’s mission is to create a community where Black people of queer and trans experience and their allies are connected and supported, have access to safe spaces, and enjoy sufficient resources to help them thrive.

We Believe

We believe that to turn the tide against the HIV epidemic and improve overall health outcomes, grassroots and indigenously-led efforts originating from those most-affected must be given the opportunity to succeed. It is essential that we begin to deploy revolutionary, evidencedbased, and out-of-the-box models to effectively support Black LGBTQ+ people, especially those living with HIV. We recognize how stigma, discrimination and medical mistrust act as tremendous barriers to good health for many Black LGBTQ+ people. And we want to do something about it.

Our Approach

BlaqOut has adopted a holistic approach that aims to look at all aspects of the lives of Black LGBTQ+ people. Accordingly, in all of our activities a conscious effort is made not to problematize the Black LGBTQ+ community by having a singular focus on disease (HIV/ AIDS). We approach Black LGBTQ+ people and their lives with a solution-oriented focus that raises awareness of the myriad health issues impacting our community and offers participants the opportunity to begin developing realistic strategies to combat these issues effectively.