As Pride Month fills the air with celebration and advocacy, it's a timely moment to recognize those who work tirelessly year-round to improve the health and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community. Among them is Mark O'Neil, a Community Health Specialist for the Health Department, whose work focuses on developing relationships with the LGBTQ+ community in Fairfax County.
Mark's journey into public health was a natural evolution of his passion for community. "Community health feels natural to me, but I wasn’t aware that it could be a career until after I started working for an LGBTQ+ youth program," he explains. His early experiences as an AmeriCorps service member in an LGBTQ+ youth program in Wisconsin, followed by statewide population health work and HIV/STI care navigation in San Francisco and Sonoma County California, laid the foundation for his current role. He joined the Fairfax County Health Department in October 2024.
At its core, Mark describes the role of a community health specialist as a "partner to the communities we serve." This involves offering health education, connecting individuals to vital resources, and building community capacity. For Mark, this translates into actively engaging the LGBTQ+ community in Fairfax County and Northern Virginia, fostering "lasting and authentic relationships with community leaders as well as agencies and programs that serve the LGBTQ+ community."
What truly drives Mark is the profound impact of his work. "I’m passionate about engaging with communities to show them that they are being seen, heard, and celebrated," he shares. This passion was vividly illustrated during recent local Pride celebrations. "I’m still basking in the gratitude that was given for being present," he recounts. He witnessed firsthand the relief and joy on young people's faces as they shared their thoughts on LGBTQ+ health issues. "Adolescence is a rough time for many and adding the layer of queerness to that can make it even more turbulent. By acknowledging that LGBTQ+ young people have a place to belong and be healthy in Fairfax County makes a difference."
Mark believes a critical challenge facing public health today is addressing the social determinants of health that fuel disparities among vulnerable communities. He advocates for a robust and well-funded public health infrastructure that genuinely engages these communities. His personal history deeply informs this conviction: "I’m part of a population that lost a full generation of people to AIDS. The initial response to that crisis was marked by slow, inadequate, and often dismissive action that preyed upon the community’s vulnerabilities rather than addressing root causes." For Mark, this historical context underscores the vital importance of his current work, ensuring that such failures are not repeated.
His biggest accomplishment, he states, is being "an out, gay man who shows up to work as my authentic self and can leverage that knowledge and experience to think strategically of the LGBTQ+ community." However, this authenticity also presents his biggest challenge: "it is particularly challenging to think well of your community in a climate where it is under attack and that parts of it are being systemically erased." Yet, he draws strength from this, reminding himself of his privilege and utilizing opportunities to amplify LGBTQ+ voices.
For those considering a career in public health, Mark offers simple yet profound advice: "As with any career choice, you need to be passionate about your work. Find what makes you happy, but I would also encourage you to try new things to refine that passion." He points to his own unexpected foray into maternal child health, initially outside his HIV/STI focus, as an example of how embracing new challenges can lead to unforeseen professional joys.
While Pride Month is a significant time for visibility and celebration, Mark O'Neil's work is a powerful reminder that the fight for equitable health and genuine belonging for the LGBTQ+ community is a continuous, year-round endeavor, built on authentic relationships and unwavering dedication.
During Pride Month, the Fairfax County Health Department encourages all residents to take pride in their health and wellness. Taking pride in your health means making decisions that benefit not only yourself but also your family, loved ones, and greater community.