From 2016-2020 Vann M. Millhouse Founder and Director of Element of Hope collaborated with the Baltimore City Health Department to co-create the first Storytelling Residency program. The four year residency focused on researching and examining the intersectionalities of age, gender, gender identity and sexual wellness and HIV/STI biannually. The culmination of our work was highlighted at the Global-Domestic HIV Bi-Directional Learning Forum in 2023.

From 2016-2018, the research project engaged Baltimore City LGBTQ+ community members. We implemented storytelling to bring awareness, educate, reduce stigma, build community, and strengthen care approaches while reducing barriers and closing gaps to foster quality care. Phase 1 findings revealed several communities and adjacent sub communities, African American same gender loving womyn and African American transmen/transmasculine people are severely underserved.

‘Out of Gender Conversations’ is an interactive training and workshop developed to offer insight, awareness, and care guidance for those providing care for LGBTQ+, gender variant communities and people.