By Eduardo Morales, Ph.D.–
2024 marks the 30th anniversary of AGUILAS (Asamblea Gay Unida Impactando Latinos A Superarse), so this year for the San Francisco Bay Times we are highlighting achievements of the longstanding San Francisco-based nonprofit. Here we highlight survey responses from participants, which reveal the importance of this organization focused on the needs of gay and bisexual Latinx men in the Bay Area.
A review of satisfaction questionnaires completed by program participants at AGUILAS over the past three decades shows ratings averaging in the very good to excellent range using a five-point scale for each of the 10 entries. Thousands of individuals have responded to the satisfaction questionnaires that are regularly administered after program activities.
Written comments support these results. One respondent wrote, “AGUILAS is a visible agency that is really part of the community. It has changed in dynamic and positive ways. Counseling here provides great community resources on health. The groups have good facilitators along with interesting topics, and socials and other events are entertaining. They speak about health in a way that is not in your face.”
Another individual shared, “Being at AGUILAS, I found members like me with similar stories.” Another wrote, “My counselor told me about PrEP/PEP and I was able to get tested and take a medication for recent exposure. I am now on PrEP and relieved about the situation, but [before this] I felt like I was going to die.” Yet another mentioned, “I left Brazil because my small community had poor healthcare, and being HIV+ I could not access the medications provided without fear of being exposed. I escaped my religious community and shame from my family to seek help. Being at AGUILAS, I found members like me with similar stories.”
Those of us working at AGUILAS have been enriched by these and other program participants. We look forward to continuing our services throughout this anniversary year and beyond.
Eduardo Morales, Ph.D. is a Professor Emeritus, retired Distinguished Professor, and current adjunct professor at Alliant International University. He is also a licensed psychologist and a founder and current Executive Director of AGUILAS, an award-winning program for Latinx LGBTQ+. Of Puerto Rican decent, he has received numerous distinguished awards and citations, including being named a Fellow of 12 divisions of the American Psychological Association.
Nuestra Voz
Published on January 11, 2024
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