United Way Central Alberta’s Post

https://letsync.ucsf.edu/ - The LetSync Study. A study for racial/ethnic minority LGBTQ+ folks to create a smartphone app for improving health. (J Tan, E Moore, G Obando CAPS/PRC) Are you in a male couple relationship? The LetSync study is enrolling male couples where one partner is Black and living with HIV. You and your partner will be asked about health and how you use technology. Compensation is up to $390 per couple. All study visits are confidential. For more information and how you and your partner can enroll, email LetSync@ucsf.edu or call (510) 214-6945. Visit - https://letsync.ucsf.edu/

Sexual and reproductive rights and freedoms have been hard fought and won over the decades and a lot of ground has been gained. What we’re seeing now though, and hearing more of from our international network of services on the ground and activists at International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and even through our own network here in Australia at Family Planning Alliance Australia is a disturbing rise in pushback. Our rights and freedoms are connected, and those who would see our rights to bodily autonomy, freedom of expression, equal love and access to education rolled back are connected too. It’s easy to feel as though our progress cannot be undone, that surely *we* would not slide backwards the way others have, but our rights and freedoms being rolled back anywhere affects our rights and freedoms everywhere. The global outlook is concerning and our movement needs to come together - to hold our ground and to keep pushing for equitable access to sexual and reproductive health, freedom and protection from discrimination and equality under the law.

Improving access to sexual healthcare is crucial, especially for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A recent LetsGetChecked study validated home sample collection for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) from rectal and throat sites. Our study showed high agreement between self-collected and provider-collected samples. Detection was unaffected by common hand contaminants, storage time, or extreme temperatures. This supports the reliability of self-collection for extragenital STI testing, benefiting the LGBTQ+ community. LetsGetChecked integrates these methods, enhancing its accessible and accurate STI screening solutions. Discover more here: https://lnkd.in/eEFv4AWM

Service and activism are inextricably linked in the struggle for LGBTQIA+ liberation. From the Stonewall riots to the HIV/AIDS crisis to the fight for trans rights today, queer and trans people have always been at the forefront of movements for social change, courageously imagining and creating a more just future for all. As we celebrate Pride, let us also acknowledge the work that still lies ahead. In a world where LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly those with multiple marginalized identities, still face discrimination, violence, and barriers to opportunity, we all have a responsibility to act as allies and advocates. Happy Pride, changemakers. Let's keep marching towards justice, together. - Ryan & Thomas Growney SG’24 #NewServiceAcademy Image description: A desaturated image of fists raised with rainbow bracelets, overlaid with the words "Happy Pride" and the URL "ServiceAcademy.org."

If you want to hear about what we are up to, be sure to follow our business page below. ⬇ #businesspage #theoutstandingsociety #oustandingcare #followus #socialcare #socialcarenursing #scnacs #vivaldisocialcare

🌈 Celebrating Pride Month: Advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ Health 🌈 As we honor Pride Month, it's crucial to reflect on the impactful conversations happening around 2SLGBTQIA+ health and how community health centers can drive change. A recent discussion between Ethan Goodman, MPA, and Dr. Dorian Rhea Debussy from Equitas Health shed light on how health centers can engage with state lawmakers to advocate for 2SLGBTQIA+ issues. Key Takeaways: ✅ Engagement with Lawmakers: Building relationships with state lawmakers through public comments, policy meetings, and sharing community stories is vital. These efforts ensure lawmakers understand the real-life impact of their policies on our communities. ✅The Power of Storytelling: A Catalyst for Change storytelling is not just a narrative, it's a potent advocacy tool. It serves as a bridge between policymakers and the communities they represent, bringing to light the tangible effects of legislation. ✅ Success Stories: Equitas Health's ongoing efforts to modernize outdated HIV laws in Ohio demonstrate the power of persistent advocacy and collaboration with lawmakers. As I reflect on my work advocating for gender-affirming primary care in rural California, I've seen firsthand the importance of state-level advocacy. Engaging with local lawmakers, sharing the stories of our patients, and maintaining a genuine, communicative approach are critical components of our strategy. These advocacy efforts are even more crucial in rural areas, where access to gender-affirming care is often limited. By building solid relationships with state officials, healthcare leaders can drive policy changes that ensure equitable healthcare access for all. #PrideMonth #LGBTQHealth #Advocacy #CommunityHealth

FPH Drugs and Sexual & Reproductive Health SIGs have partnered to host a webinar on 29 July to provide an overview on chemsex practice. This session will focus on harm reduction, sexual health, and the role of LGBTQ+ voluntary sector organisations in supporting people who participate. https://lnkd.in/duc_KBEb

In recognition of Pride Month, I sat down with Ethan Goodman from the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) for an interview about the advocacy work happening at Equitas Health. I shared insights about engaging state lawmakers to create positive change for patients and the broader community, and I'm so thankful that NACHC profiled LGBTQ+ focused public policy work happening here in Ohio. To read the article, click on the link below. To engage with other Ohio community health centers, be sure to follow the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers (OACHC). https://lnkd.in/e-_rv6X2 #LGBT #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #LGBTQIAPlus #Transgender #NonBinary #Intersex #Community #CommunityOutreach #Health #Healthcare #HealthEquity #Medical #Hospital #Pharmacy #Medicine #State #Federal #Legislation #Policy #PublicPolicy #PublicAffairs #CurrentAffairs #CurrentEvents #PublicLaw #Law #Bills #Government #Legislature #Legislative #GovernmentRelations #Advocacy #Advocate #Activist #Activism #Pride #Pride2024 #PrideMonth #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #DEI #Belonging #DiversityEquityInclusionBelonging #DEIB

Lots of folks don’t really understand the impact that the Older Americans Act is having on the way we experience aging in America. The nationwide resources and access made possible because of this legislation affect not only LGBTQ+ elders, but all Americans. Aging can be a difficult topic to talk about, but if we are lucky, we are all going to experience it. Check out this important webinar series to learn more! #themoreyouknow #lgbtq

Our recent short report in Sexual Health (with my lovely co-authors Drs. Mance Buttram and Matthew S. Ellis, PhD, MPE) found that individuals living in states with lower LGBTQ equality in the US were significantly less likely to be aware of #doxyPEP – an important evidence-based biomedical strategy that is effective at preventing bacterial STIs, particularly syphilis and chlamydia, among gay and bisexual men and trans women. (Full article: https://lnkd.in/g5GZuW8Z) Inequities find a way creeping in when there are exciting new advances afoot. An understanding of how social determinants of health structure the implementation of interventions is crucial. This has been clearly seen with HIV PrEP. We need more research focused on how social determinants of health impact the uptake of novel biomedical advances, with a distinct focus on equity and communities who are disproportionately impacted. Let's work to ensure that everyone who can benefit from #doxyPEP knows that it exists, how it works and has access to it. Incidentally, I'm also saddened that my final factsheet for aidsmap is on the topic of #doxyPEP (https://lnkd.in/gfWPt58y).