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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+

🥂 We finally made it to February! 🥂 January always feels like the worlds longest month, so congratulations to everyone for making it through. 😂 February also marks the start of LGBT+ History Month, and with this year’s theme of ‘Medicine - #underthescope’ I wanted to highlight some of the key moments in LGBT+ healthcare history. ❤️ 1981 - The first cases of AIDS are recorded. Terrence Higgins is the first British gay man diagnosed with AIDS and his partner and friends set up the Terrence Higgins Trust after his death in 1982, which goes on to become a leading sexual health and HIV charity in the UK 🧡 1996 - Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is found to significantly delay the onset of AIDS in people living with HIV, marking a significant breakthrough in AIDS treatment. The NHS makes the treatment available in the UK 💛 2004 – LGBT+ History Month is founded. The UK Gender Recognition Act becomes law on July 1st, offering trans people full legal recognition of their change of gender 💚 2006 - The first annual LGBT Health Summit is held in London, providing a safe and supportive space for individuals, organisations, and activists to come together to discuss and debate LGBT healthcare practices in the UK 💙 2018 - The UK’s Government Equalities Office publishes the National LGBT Survey. Over 108,000 people participated in the survey making it the largest national survey of LGBT people in the world to date 💜 2019 - The World Health Organisation declassifies transgender as a mental illness. The UK Government appoints Dr Michael Brady as the first National Advisor for LGBT Health in the NHS This is of course just a small selection of the incredible achievements in LGBT+ healthcare. Which ones have I missed? #lgbthistorymonth #lgbtqia #lgbtqrights #lgbtqhealth #healthcare

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.

Did you know that 30% of transgender individuals become sexually active before the age of 18? And yet, HIV programs can only provide support after they turn 18. This alarming statistic, along with the fact that 7.5% of transgender women have HIV (IBBS 2014-2015), highlights the urgent need for awareness and action. At Naz Foundation, we strive to empower and support the LGBTQIA+ community, including transgender individuals, through our clinic and helpline. We understand the unique challenges faced by this community, such as higher HIV rates (11.2%) in those who cannot read or write, and 10% prevalence among sex workers and masseurs. It is also disheartening to note that the average age at which transgender people have sexual encounters is only 15 years. This further emphasizes the importance of early intervention and education.  Our Naz clinic offers confidential and non-judgmental services for those in need. From free consultation with medical professionals to access to resources and support, we are here for you. If you or someone you know is part of the LGBTQIA+ community and needs medical assistance, please visit the Naz Clinic. To make an appointment, call our Naz Dost Helpline at +91 8800329176 or +91 1140669411/12/13/14, Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  #NazFoundation #LGBTQIA+ #TransgenderAwareness #HIVPrevention #Empowerment #Equality #HealthEquity #healthcare #transgender #communitysupport #HIVawareness #inclusivehealthcare #queerindia #lgbtqindia #lgbtindia #transgenderindia #lgbtq

A great reminder from UNAIDS ED, Winnie Byanyima, of the fight against HIV, led by many #LGBT activists originally, and the decriminalisation victories that have been achieved since 2019. Decriminalisation of same-sex intimacy ensures better health access https://lnkd.in/eA8J5epK   For full details on the 64 countries that continue to criminalise consensual same-sex intimacy, check out our map of criminalisation https://lnkd.in/evWysGn2

During "Warning: Fighting New HIV Criminalization Threats to LGBTQ+ & Black Communities," Project Manager & Trainer Aleyah Lopez (she/her) shared with organizers from around the country lessons learned in the succesful fight for HIV decriminalization in New Jersey. Attendees were introduced to the concept of HIV criminalization — or the treatment of HIV transmission differently from other STIs — as well as the current and impending legal and social landscape faced by people living with HIV. Always placing people living with HIV at the forefront, panelists connected attendees with coalitions and resources so they could start engaging in advocacy immediately. Alongside Aleyah were some of our incredible partners: Mandisa Moore-O'Neal (The Center for HIV Law and Policy); Mike Webb (Equality Federation), Kamaria Laffrey (SERO Project); and consultant Robert Suttle. [Image description: Photo of Garden State Equality team member Aleyah Lopez sitting a table, speaking on a panel during a conference presentation. In front of her is an open laptop; she is speaking into a microphone. Along the top is the following text in white: “'The last thing you want is for a (HIV criminalization) bill to sneak its way in under the radar. That makes it so much harder to mobilize against it.' Aleyah Lopez (she/her), Project Manager & Trainer. # WeAreCreatingChange • Creating Change 2024." #WeAreCreatingChange @thetaskforce #HIV #AIDS #HIVadvocacy #HIVpolicy #socialjustice #HIVcriminalization #HIVdecriminalization #LGBT #LGBTQ #queer #trans

February is LGBT+ History Month in the UK. This year, the theme is Medicine - #UnderTheScope and celebrates LGBT+ peoples’ contributions to the field of medicine and healthcare throughout history and continuing today! With studies and surveys showing that the LGBT+ communities continue to face stigma, harassment, and challenges in accessing healthcare, it is a great time to build more awareness and help reduce the barriers faced when accessing healthcare, including testing for STIs such as HIV. One of the benefits of rapid testing is the ease of use and ability to access trusted testing where it best suits your needs. With the INSTI® HIV-1/2 Antibody Self Test, you can take the test in the comfort of your home and get results in just 1 minute! Rapid testing is a great tool that can help broaden access and reduce stigma for groups such as LGBT+ communities that have struggled to access healthcare. Learn more about rapid testing for HIV: https://lnkd.in/gqzy92v . #LGBTQHistoryMonthUK #LGBTQ+UK #NationalHIVTestingWeek #hiv #hivawareness #hivtesting #rapidtesting #gotaminute

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

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