The mission of BAO is to enhance the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS, at-risk, affected individuals, and the LGBTQ community through outreach, age-appropriate prevention education, and supportive services. 

 

BAO was incorporated in 1985 and was the first nonprofit, community-based organization dedicated to providing HIV/AIDS prevention education and services for persons/families living with HIV/AIDS in the State of Alabama and the Birmingham area. All programs at BAO are offered free of charge and include services for HIV-positive individuals, HIV prevention/education and LGBTQ programs. 

 

HIV programs include: food bank, nutritional supplements, food vouchers, legal services, clothes and household items, transportation, medication assistance, medical items, GED classes, personal hygiene supplies, case management, pet food, pet spay/neuter program, linkate to care and referrals, counseling, and support groups.

 

HIV Education programs include: HIV/STD/STI Testing, HIV 101 presentations, The Youth Advisory Council, HIV education in local schools, and community outreach. 

 

In response to the alarming increase in the physical and mental health in the LGBTQ youth community in Birmingham, BAO has expanded services to target LGBTQ youth with prevention groups, education, art projects, and trainings. LGBTQ programs include: Magic City Wellness Center, Magic City Acceptance Project, Magic City Acceptance Center, Steel City Spectrum, Birmingham Alliance of Gay, Straight, and Lesbian youth, art classes, talent shows, counseling, resource center, drop-in hours, computer lab, movie nights, health & wellness workshops, HIV testing and education, skill building classes, clothing swap nights, and Family Matters - a photography exhibit with youth  that opened at The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and has been shown at Art Basel, The Southern Poverty Law Center and Stonewall Museum.

 

BAO is the lead/fiscal agency for three community LGBTQ education and advocacy projects: the Magic City Acceptance Project (MCAP) - a collaboration of non-profit agencies in the community aimed at increasing services and advocacy for LGBTQ youth, State and Union -a new movie documentary based upon the photography exhibit, Living in Limbo, and B-Heard, in collaboration with The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, a LGBTQ needs assessment.