Working with Black Queer Men Who Use Crystal Meth​ (3 CE Hours)

Description:

Methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth or Tina, has been a health concern for the LGBTQ+ community since the late 1990s. In most recent studies, researcher are seeing an increase in use in the Black/African American Gay community (Secret, 2015). As a result, mental health professionals should be familiar with information related to the current crystal meth epidemic and how it relates to Black Gay community.

This course will provide an overview of the experience of Black/African American Gay men and the prevalence of crystal methamphetamine use, including the unique challenges they and the therapist face in treatment. This course is designed to build awareness, provide useful tools in providing ethnically competent services, and discuss risk factors faced by Black/African American Gay men who use crystal meth. The course will cover issues facing Black/African American Gay men, their use of crystal meth and how to support those with taking culture and experience into consideration.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain 2 new treatment strategies in clinical work with Black/African American Gay men dealing with crystal meth addiction.
• Describe contextual factors, including  2 challenges in accessing early intervention and treatment, that impact the crystal meth epidemic in Black/African American Gay communities.
• List 2 factors that may be related to the crystal meth overdose rates in Black/African American communities in the US.

Schedule:

Welcome/Intention Setting

Use Inclusive Language

Know General Definitions

Case Study 1

Confront Derogatory Comments

Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Youth

Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Adults/Seniors

Case Study 2

Unique Medical Health of the LGBTQ+ Community

Case Study 3

Close Out & Questions

Speaker Bio:

Jerry St. Louis is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, certified Sex Therapist and Educator, and the visionary force behind Of Colors Healing Therapy Services and The Pleasure Spectrum—an unapologetically inclusive adult‑toy brand built on the rallying cry “Pleasure for EVERY body.”

Over the past decade, Jerry has carved out a singular space at the intersection of sexual wellness, mental health, and social justice. As a radical sex educator and Sober Sex Therapist, he confronts the taboos that too often silence conversations about addiction, race, disability, and intimacy. His clinical practice centers Black LGBTQ+ communities; his workshops and keynotes—ranging from university classrooms to national conferences—equip professionals and everyday people alike with compassionate, evidence‑based tools for healing and pleasure.

Jerry’s impact reaches far beyond the therapy room. He served as a subject‑matter expert for The Sexual Health School’s groundbreaking series on crystal‑meth addiction among Black queer men, spearheading dialogue on harm reduction and culturally responsive care. Through The Pleasure Spectrum, he disrupts an industry that has historically excluded disabled and marginalized bodies, ensuring that toys, packaging, and marketing honor the full spectrum of human desire.

A sought‑after media voice, Jerry has been featured in podcasts, panels, and print outlets for his fearless advocacy. Whether he’s debunking myths about sober sex, training clinicians on kink‑affirming practice, or championing policies that expand access to affirming care, his message is unwavering: healing and pleasure are fundamental human rights.