The Church Needs HR: Healing and Health Resources for Queer Faith Spaces is an educational and advocacy initiative reframing the role of religion in LGBTQIA health. While public health spaces have made progress in HIV prevention and harm reduction, they often neglect the spiritual realities of queer individuals—especially those from Black and Brown communities—who continue to experience both harm and hope within faith-based contexts.

This presentation, led by a Black, gay, sex-positive bishop and public theologian, introduces HR (Healing & Health Resources) as a model for embedding wellness, accountability, and care into affirming spiritual communities. The campaign also launches a new concept of “Advocates”—internal, HR-style accountability teams designed to protect communal safety, confront toxic leadership, and ensure ethical and holistic care within affirming ministries.

Participants will engage in a 60-minute interactive session featuring storytelling, case studies, group reflection, and participatory design. Attendees will explore how faith can show up as a site of healing in their own work, while receiving practical tools to integrate spiritual wellness into LGBTQIA-focused health programs.

Printed and digital materials—including a leadership covenant, resource toolkit, and access to the “The Church Needs HR” book—will be available. This session bridges public health, spiritual care, and social justice, inviting faith leaders, clinicians, and advocates to reimagine sacred spaces as powerful allies in the movement to end the epidemics and protect the most marginalized.