Arkansas Black Gay Men's Forum

The Arkansas Black Gay Men's Forum, known as the BGM Forum, works to improve health care access and create affirming spaces for Black and brown LGBTQ+ people in Central Arkansas. It also serves as a think tank on the social, economic and political issues that shape its community's lives.

Its hub is the Utopia Empowerment Center at 501 E 21st Street in Little Rock, open Monday through Thursday. The center offers free HIV testing, hepatitis C screenings, blood pressure checks and safer sex supplies, along with a clothing closet, free notary services, a computer lab for job searches, and low-cost printing. Support groups cover stigma reduction and empowerment, trauma-informed care, and AA and peer support. Every other Friday, the center's food giveaway shares pantry staples and fresh produce with any neighbor who comes, no documentation required, in partnership with Potluck Food Rescue. In 2024 the program distributed more than 28,000 pounds of food.

On policy, the Forum convenes the Arkansas Modernize HIV & Justice Coalition, which works to update the state's decades-old HIV criminal statute, and hosts the HIV Policy Change Makers Fellowship, a 12-month program with a stipend and mentorship for emerging Black LGBTQ+ leaders, offered with Equality Federation and ViiV Healthcare. Its Arkansas Rising campaign surveys the community to shape advocacy on PrEP, HIV care and mental health, and a SAGECollab partnership supports LGBTQ+ older adults.

Neighbors can stop by Utopia Center or call (501) 777-2216. Community members can join the Forum, volunteer or partner with its programs.