Engaging LGBTQ Communities in Community-Partnered Participatory Research: Lessons from the Resilience Against Depression Disparities Study

Background The Resilience Against Depression Disparities (RADD), a community partnered, randomized comparative effectiveness study, aimed to address mental health in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) racial/ethnic populations in New Orleans and Los Angeles. Objectives To describe engagement methods, lessons learned, and recommendations in engaging LGBTQ individuals and agencies throughout the RADD study. Methods RADD used a community partnered participatory research framework to engage LGBTQ community members and agencies. Observational and quantitative data were collected to describe engagement activities and study adaptations from October 2016 to May 2019. Results Our partnered approach resulted in multiple study adaptations. The principles of cultural humility, coleadership, and addressing health determinants were important to successful engagement with LGBTQ community members and study participants. We recommend maintaining cultural humility as the tenant of all research activities. Conclusions This project's engagement plan demonstrates that community-academic partnerships can be forged to create and modify existing study models for LGBTQ communities.