Fenway Health’s Post

Today is National Transgender #HIV Testing Day, a day to address the impact of HIV on transgender and nonbinary people. When we reduce stigma, denial, and hate while promoting testing, prevention, and treatment, we can help #StopHIVTogether. http://bit.ly/3yrWMMo #NTHTD #TransHealthMatters #TransVisibility #TransLivesMatter #KnowYourStatus #HIVTesting #EndTransphobia #TransRights

Today on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, let's stand united in raising awareness, fighting stigma, and supporting those affected by HIV/AIDS in the Black community. Education, testing, and access to resources are crucial steps towards ending the disproportionate impact of this disease. Join the effort in spreading awareness and showing solidarity. Let's educate ourselves, support each other, and promote access to resources for prevention and treatment. Together, we can make a difference. #NBHAAD #EndTheStigma #HIVAwareness

Human immunodeficiency virus, more commonly known as #HIV, currently affects 1.2 million Americans, 13% of whom still remain unaware of their HIV status. The most common demographic of people who contract HIV are people of color who also identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Because the virus is most often spread through the sharing of bodily fluids during unprotected sex, Black and Latino men who have sex with other men are affected at a disproportionately higher rate; these populations, in particular, are less likely to engage in preventive care during sex because of prior distrust in the medical system as a result of racism and discrimination due to their identities. To ensure that the most vulnerable populations are aware of their #HIVstatus and are receiving proper preventive care and treatment options, the medical system needs to improve HIV #linkagetocare and dismantle the systemic barriers that the LGBTQ+ community faces. Like and share this post to raise awareness about the prevalence of HIV to show your support for #PrideMonth! World Health Organization Centers for Disease Control and Prevention American Public Health Association

📢 Activists in Ohio arm themselves with #data to fight antiquated HIV #laws #nationwide! Reports by Equality Ohio & The Williams Institute reveal shocking #disparities: over half of prosecutions for "HIV crimes" are for acts statistically unlikely to transmit #HIV. Louisiana, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Washington State also require anyone convicted of “HIV crimes” to register as a sex offender! Moreover, these laws disproportionately affect #Black communities. Let’s #repeal these #discriminatory laws across the United States! #EndHIVCriminalization #EqualityForAll #HIVRights 🌈 Learn more: https://shorturl.at/mxRVW 📚

Oh you’ll take an #HIV test! And you’ll LIKE it! 🩸 OK, Jokes aside, giving an Opt-Out HIV test to everyone when they come through the E.R. (as an example) would help speed up Ending the HIV Epidemic. A major hurdle is people living with HIV who aren’t aware of their status for many reasons: 1️⃣ In a relationship & don’t think it’s possible 2️⃣ They’re straight or female and don’t think it applies to them 3️⃣ They suspect they may have it but are too afraid to deal with it 4️⃣ They may be LGBTQ+ but in the closet and don’t want to be seen at a testing facility 5️⃣ They don’t have insurance/money and don’t think they can get tested 6️⃣ What other reasons can you think of? Opt-out testing also helps people who may have fallen out of care, get back on track 🙏🏽 What are we waiting for?? #aids #uequalsu #EHE #hivtesting #hivadvocate

Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, a day to acknowledge progress in HIV prevention and care among Black/African American people, while recognizing the work still needed. To #StopHIVTogether, we must address HIV stigma and barriers. Because that's what is still killing us--not HIV or AIDS but the stigma, barriers and discrimination faced in our own communities. #hiv #aids #nbhaad #black #blackqueer #blacklgbt #blacklgbtq #blackgay #blacktrans #blacktranslivesmatter

UNAIDS #PCB53 UNDP delivered a statement on behalf of all UNAIDS Co-sponsors during the 53rd PCB meeting: A recent report from UNDP, the HIV Policy Lab, Georgetown University and GNP+ shows that today, 63 percent of people living with #HIV live in countries where same-sex sex is not illegal, a remarkable reversal since the start of the global #AIDS response. We call on all countries to reform harmful criminal laws and policies affecting key populations, especially transgender people; We simply cannot photoshop key populations, especially transgender people, out of the response. On the contrary, they are key to the response. #CommunitiesFirst #NotACriminal The Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) UNAIDS

Today marks National Transgender HIV Testing Day, an essential moment to reflect on the progress we have made and the challenges that lie ahead in the battle against HIV for the transgender community. At Lambda Legal, we recognize the multifaceted battle our transgender siblings encounter – stigma, discrimination, and systemic inequalities – all of which compound the risk of HIV transmission and hinder access to vital testing and treatment. But today isn't just about acknowledging these challenges; it's about taking action. We’re calling on our community to prioritize their health today and every day. Get tested. Know your status. And remember, your health matters, your well-being matters, and you are deserving of respect, dignity, and comprehensive health care. ❤️🏳️⚧️ Learn more about our work and resources, and how you can take action at https://lnkd.in/e_tdGb73. #EndTheStigma #HIVAwareness #HIVTesting #HIV

Monday morning reminder: The work to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S. requires grounding ourselves in intersectionality and remembering that HIV Justice is LGBTQ+ Justice is Racial Justice is Criminal Justice! We’ve long known that stigma, discrimination, and systemic inequalities like racism and transphobia compound the risk of HIV transmission and hinder access to vital testing and treatment. Stigma is a key driver of the HIV epidemic because it discourages people from getting tested or receiving treatment. And in more than 30 U.S. states, people are still being criminalized or imprisoned due to their HIV status. HIV criminalization laws are being used to punish people living with HIV with criminal prosecution, increasing charges or punishments just because the person lives with HIV. Punishment is not the answer—health care is. We’re here—and we’ll continue fighting for the rights and dignity of everyone living with HIV. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gTiCxDAt #HIV #StopHIVStigma #HealthNotPrisons

"It is very important for an individual who has been diagnosed with HIV to know the [HIV criminalization] laws in the state in which they live." Our new blog post from Marcya Gullatte discusses her experience with these outdated laws and how this impacts everyone, no matter your status. Read more at linktr.ee/PWN_USA 👀