Galen Jarell Byrnside’s Post

Register today and join the webinar "Responding to Project 2025’s Threats to Science, Rights and Resources" EATG co-sponsors this webinar 📆 Tuesday, July 9, 2024 🕒 15.00 - 16.30 CET (9 AM - 10:30 AM eastern) 🔻 Click below to register https://lnkd.in/dBPCqZXd Description: Project 2025 is part of an ongoing multi-pronged backlash to the sexual and reproductive health, gender and LGBTQ+ movements. It is likely the national game plan of a Trump administration should he win the US presidential election in November. This has serious implications for both domestic and foreign policies and programs for our communities and beyond. Building on the experience of the HIV movement in fighting these same far-right forces, this webinar will discuss potential responses through the lens of HIV affected communities and programs. Speakers: Clare Byarugaba, Chapter Four Uganda  Sean Cahill, The Fenway Institute Aleksei Lakhov, EuroNPUD Will Ramirez, Southern AIDS Coalition Beirne Roose-Synder, Council on Global Equality Moderators: Anne-christine d’Adesky, Stop the Coup 2025 Allan Maleche, KELIN Co-sponsors: European AIDS Treatment Group EuroNPUD The Fenway Institute Funders Concerned About AIDS GSSG Foundation KELIN Southern AIDS Coalition Stop the Coup 2025 AVAC #TheChoiceAgenda #Project2025

Looking forward to participating in this conversation. Project 2025 is something we should all be paying attention to. It is not just a political agenda; it is a potential catalyst for deepening health inequities that have been decades in the making. Recognizing that this is just the latest in decades-long attempts to redraw political and health landscapes in this nation is pivotal. In the 70s, after the success of the Civil Rights movement, we saw the radical response of the far-right, with the Southern Strategy. Its utilization of racial tensions to reshape electoral politics and stratify healthcare services lead to detrimental health outcomes for minority and underserved populations. In the 80s, we saw the implementation of Reaganomics and its cuts to social services, leading to reduced access to healthcare, disproportionately affecting communities of color. Join us in this dynamic discussion in July.

In 2023, this event continues to serve as a crucial forum for tackling ongoing disparities affecting gay and bisexual men in relation to HIV/AIDS. Heightened awareness is key to breaking down obstacles like stigma, discrimination, and restricted healthcare, ultimately advancing education, nurturing inclusiveness, and advocating for prompt testing and treatment. How can we collectively enhance healthcare access and support for gay and bisexual men living with HIV? Let's exchange ideas and insights! 💭 [IMAGE DESCRIPTION: The backdrop displays a calming gradient of gentle purple tones. It highlights an image of a joyful LGBTQ+ couple, sharing smiles and affection. Accompanied by the text "Rising Above HIV Stigma."] #HIVAwareness #HealthEquality #SupportingLGBTQIA+

🌍🌈 Reflecting on the Past: World AIDS Day 🌈🌍 As I sit here today, going through the historical medical records of veterans during their time in service, I am reminded of the profound impact that history has on our present. It is both a privilege and a responsibility to delve into the past, understanding the challenges and triumphs that have shaped our society. Today, I came across a particularly confronting chapter in our collective history - the AIDS pandemic of the early 1980s. As I reviewed pathology results during that time, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. The records not only highlighted the medical aspects but also delved into deeply personal details, such as the patients' sexual history, drug use, and blood transfusions. This experience has reminded me of the struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community during that era. It serves as a stark reminder of the discrimination and stigma they endured, as their personal lives were scrutinized and judged in the context of their medical conditions. It is a painful reminder of the battles fought and the progress we have made since then. Coincidentally, tomorrow marks World AIDS Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, supporting those affected, and remembering those we have lost. It is a day to reflect on the progress we have made in combating this disease, but also to acknowledge the work that still lies ahead and our queer history. #WorldAIDSDay #InclusionMatters #LGBTQ+ #HealthcareAdvocacy

Great work by the Shawn Project! SHAWN is a community-engaged research project that examines the impact of criminal-legal changes during COVID-19 on the HIV risk behaviors and protective factors of justice-involved women who use drugs. Life history interviews will be conducted with justice-involved women, with a focus on key turning points in their lives. Calendar-based interviews will document and understand participants’ lived experiences during COVID-19. Digital Storytelling Workshop will create dialogue and a platform for women to construct and share narratives about their lives. Findings seek to inform HIV prevention programs and criminal-legal policies. This project intentionally engages undergraduate social work majors at Southern CT State University in all aspects of the study planning, implementation, and analysis processes. A goal of this training program is to facilitate opportunity for people who have been historically underrepresented in academic and research positions, including people of color, LGBTQ+ communities, and women, to become social science leader https://lnkd.in/eYDgWFEC

In the 1980s, during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, many countries imposed lifetime bans on blood donations from transgender individuals and MSM (men who have sex with men).   According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), transgender individuals are about 13 times more likely to be HIV-positive than the general adult population. In regions like Asia and the Pacific, transgender women disproportionately represent 7% of new HIV infections.    World Blood Donor Day calls attention to the importance of safe blood donations and the need to end discriminatory donor eligibility criteria, fostering a more inclusive and efficient global blood donation network.  https://lnkd.in/dXGEGzAn #WorldBloodDonorDay #HIVAwareness #AIDSEpidemic #TransgenderHealth #BloodDonation #LGBTQ #EndDiscrimination #Healthcare #WHO #BloodDonations #Health #Awareness #Equality #Support #Community #GlobalHealth #Indiaspend

Today, on National HIV and Aging Awareness Day, we reflect on research presented by Alexandra M. Bonnet, LMSW, and Dr. Rodolfo R. Vega, PhD with Waves Ahead at #2023USCHA. They shared that despite higher than average education and medical insurance coverage and little to no language barrier or discrimination, 264 older LGBTQ+ survey participants living with #HIV in #PuertoRico face steep gaps in other quality of life indicators, including - unmet medical needs ranging from mental health services, breast and prostate exams, pap smears, oncology, physical disability care, and gender-affirming care; - almost half living off of less than $15,000 a year; and - 1 in 5 people live in unstable housing. As people age, their social conditions, bodies, and needs change, and their services should change with them. Integrated, accessible, #person-centered care is a must as people age with HIV. #NationalHispanicHeritageMonth #LGBTQ #HealthEquity #mentalhealth #elder #USCHA2023 #JSIatUSCHA2023

Imagine this: you're in a new relationship, things are going great, but the conversation about sexual health feels awkward and uncomfortable. This hesitancy to talk openly can be especially prevalent within the LGBTQ+ community, where concerns about stigma and judgment can create barriers to essential conversations. So, why are open conversations about HIV and sexual health so important? Prevention: Open communication allows partners to discuss risk factors, testing experiences, and prevention methods like condoms and PrEP. 🔹 Early Detection: Regular testing is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment. Open communication can encourage partners to get tested together and support each other throughout the process. 🔹 Building Trust: Honest conversations about sexual health can build trust and intimacy within a relationship. But how do we overcome the fear of judgment and have open conversations? 🔹 Start Small: Initiate conversations in a safe and relaxed setting. 🔹 Focus on Shared Goals: Frame the conversation as a way to ensure your and your partner's health and well-being. 🔹 Be Respectful: Actively listen to your partner's concerns and create a safe space for open communication. Remember: You're not alone! Many resources are available to help navigate these conversations. MIST can be a valuable resource specifically for the LGBTQ+ community for tips and support. #OpenConversation #LGBTQHealth #HIVPrevention To book a free HIV self Testing KiT - https://lnkd.in/ddfDVJfW PrEP consultation- https://lgbtq.co.in/prep/ For Mental Health consultation - https://lnkd.in/dtMf4bKJ

LGBTQ+ Seniors Are Learning "Age Is Not A Condom" As STI's Double Dr. Ina Park, an associate professor of family community medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and author of Strange Bedfellows: Adventures in the Science, History, and Surprising Secrets of STIs, emphasizes that there's a common misconception about age and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Despite reaching 55 or older, individuals are not immune to STIs. Park stresses that "you can get an STI regardless of your age." As she quotes HIV research scientist Dr. Stephen Karpiak, "Age is not a condom." Furthermore, Park highlights the concerning trend that STI rates are on the rise across all age groups, including those over 55. STI infections are significantly higher in the LGBTQ+ community than in the straight community. While infections such as chlamydia tend to be more prevalent among adolescents and young adults, recent research presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases highlights a concerning trend. STIs, including chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and syphilis, have more than doubled among Americans aged 55 to 64 over the past decade. With projections indicating that 1 in 6 people globally will be 60 and older by 2030, the study underscores the importance of healthcare professionals addressing sexual health as a routine aspect of care for older adults. There are numerous factors contributing to the persistence of STIs among older adults. Dr. Park notes that some individuals have received little to no education regarding sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and their prevention. Others may have been solely educated about unplanned pregnancy or subjected to fear-based teachings that primarily emphasized graphic portrayals of the worst-case scenarios associated with STIs. Holy Cross Health Fl #queernewstonight Happening Out Television Network

So honored to chat with CBS Chicago about the recent study from American Cancer Society detailing the health disparities experienced by the LGBTQ community. This first-ever LGBTQ+ report notes that LGBTQ+ people are probably at higher risk for cancer, yet experience multiple barriers to high-quality healthcare access (discrimination, shortfalls in provider knowledge of unique medical needs). Additionally, LGBTQ+ people living with HIV, HPV, and HCV share considerably higher risks of various cancers. Finally, screening for some cancers is low among transgender people. For more information about the report or to get screened, visit cancer.org. https://lnkd.in/gbBA_UqV