CISS Grant Recipients Advance Understanding of LGBTQIA+ Health
As part of its ongoing commitment to support and disseminate transformative research, CISS summer writing intern Anne Joseph (CAS ‘25) checked in with two professors from the Boston University School of Social Work who recently received CISS grants.
Dr. Daniel Jacobson López and Dr. Luis Alvarez-Hernandez have both used CISS funding to advance crucial research on queer populations, addressing significant gaps in the literature and advocating for broader societal recognition. Their work exemplifies how targeted support can drive meaningful change and push the boundaries of research, ensuring that the voices of marginalized communities are heard and understood.
Dr. Daniel Jacobson Lopez: Medical Care of Gay Black & Latino Sexual Assault Survivors
Dr. Daniel Jacobson López, an assistant professor in the BU School of Social Work, received a CISS 2022-2023 Pilot Grant to support his work on trauma-informed clinical care for LGBTQ+ sexual assault survivors. This year, Dr. Jacobson López continued his research at the Yale University Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS (CIRA) at which he participated in the Research Education Institute for Diverse Scholars (REIDS) program. His research explores the shortcomings of current medical care practices and the need for a more nuanced and empathetic approach when working with LGBTQ+ individuals in these spaces. “I found that many medical professionals lack the necessary training to understand the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ survivors, leading to re-traumatization rather than healing,” he shares. Dr. Jacobson López’s research aims to develop guidelines that ensure medical professionals are not only aware of these unique challenges but are also equipped to address them with sensitivity and care.
One of the key aspects of Dr. Jacobson López’s work is his focus on improving communication between healthcare providers and LGBTQ+ survivors. He stresses that “the language used by medical professionals can either contribute to the healing process or exacerbate trauma.” His research seeks to create a framework that will help clinicians navigate these sensitive interactions, ensuring that survivors feel seen, heard, and supported. By incorporating the voices of survivors into his research, Dr. Jacobson López ensures that the guidelines he develops are rooted in lived experiences.
Dr. Jacobson López believes that the importance of his work extends beyond the LGBTQ+ community as he indicates that “when we improve care for the most marginalized, we improve care for everyone.” His research not only aims to transform clinical practices but also to challenge the broader healthcare system to be more inclusive. Dr. Jacobson López hopes that his work will inspire ongoing education for medical professionals, ensuring that the care of LGBTQ+ sexual assault survivors is informed, respectful, and genuinely supportive.
Looking ahead, Dr. Jacobson López envisions a future where the medical field is fully equipped to handle the complexities of trauma among LGBTQ+ individuals. He hopes that his research will contribute to a cultural shift in how healthcare providers approach these sensitive issues, ultimately leading to better outcomes for all survivors. “This work is not just about changing protocols; it’s about changing minds and hearts,” he concludes, underscoring the transformative potential of this research.
Dr. Luis Alvarez-Hernandez: Familial Stigma and Social Support among HIV+ Latinx LGBTQ+ Individuals and their Families in South Texas
Dr. Luis Alvarez-Hernandez, an assistant professor in the School of Social Work was awarded the CISS Funded 2023-24 Undergraduate Internships grant. This grant sponsored intern Alexis Flores Pineda (CAS ’26/Political Science) to work with Dr. Alvarez-Hernandez on a project titled “Familial Stigma and Social Support among HIV+ Latinx LGBTQ+ Individuals and their families in South Texas.” This research focuses on the impact of familial stigma and the role of social support networks on the well-being of individuals living with HIV in the Rio Grande Valley. Dr. Alvarez-Hernandez’s project involves interviews with participants, their family members, friends, and HIV service providers to explore the complexities of stigma and social support in this border region. Pineda’s role consisted of literature review which supported the background research for the study.
In addition to this project, Dr. Alvarez-Hernandez’s research extends to the experiences of trans Latina immigrants who are active community leaders who play a crucial role in supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly those living with HIV. Dr. Alvarez-Hernandez describes his role “as the storyteller. People tell me their stories, and I put them into writing,” stressing the importance of bringing these stories into the spotlight when they are often overlooked. His research reveals that community connections and support networks are vital to the well-being of these individuals, challenging traditional academic narratives that often undervalue these contributions.
Dr. Alvarez-Hernandez also recently published a book titled See Me, which features testimonials from gay and trans men in South Texas. This open-access book with a photovoice structure includes personal stories and portraits that reflect participants’ experiences of discrimination, mental health challenges, and sources of joy and hope. See Me aims to make these narratives accessible not only as an academic resource, but also as a guide for community members who may relate to or resonate with these testimonials.
Moving forward, Dr. Alvarez-Hernandez is committed to producing research that not only advances academic knowledge but also leads to practical, positive change in the communities he studies. He emphasizes the importance of building long-term, trust-based partnerships with community leaders and ensuring that research findings lead to tangible outcomes. He emphasizes that “the only way I was able to do that study and many other studies is because I was already working with some of those community leaders.” His goal is to model how researchers can engage with marginalized communities in ways that are respectful, collaborative, and impactful, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and equitable understanding of their experiences.
Thank you to Dr. Jacobson López and Dr. Alvarez-Hernandez for sharing their experiences in this crucial field of study through the support of the CISS Pilot Grant and CISS Funded 2023-24 Undergraduate Internships grant!