HIV/AIDS Working Group at The Center

You're invited to #SpeakOut MLK Day Parade: AIDS Is A Civil Rights Issue (Jan 16, 2017)

2017-01-12T20:55:59Z

You are invited to attend:

#SpeakOut MLK Day Parade: AIDS Is A Civil Rights Issue

Monday, January 16, 2017 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

AIDS Is A Civil Rights Issue and we charge YOU to #SPEAKOUT! Please join your AHF DC Mobilization team as we march in the 11th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade!

When: Monday, January 16, 2017.

Event Logistics: Assembly for the parade will begin at 10:00 AM at the R.I.S.E. Center at St. Elizabeth's, 2700 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE. The parade will begin at 12 noon and conclude at 2 pm at Anacostia Park near Good Hope Rd SE and Anacostia Dr SE.

Contact Guy Anthony (Guy.Anthony@aidshealth.org) or Raymond Thomas (Raymond.Thomas@aidshealth.org) for any additional questions or concerns.

*Registration is required in order to march with us! MlkAhf17.Eventbrite.Com

Free Social Anxiety Workshop

2017-01-03T17:19:53Z

When: Friday, January 27, 7pm-9pm

Shy? Unassertive? Self-conscious? Easily embarrassed? Closeted? Anxious about coming/being out? Socially withdrawn, avoidant or isolated? Fearful of speaking in groups? Performance anxiety? Stage fright? Difficulty meeting people or forming relationships? Sexual anxiety? Pee shy? Free workshop on social anxiety: learn what social anxiety is, what causes and maintains it, it's special effects on LGBT people, and the cognitive-behavioral therapy approach to overcoming it. No one will be required to speak or interact at the workshop. This is an educational workshop, not a therapy session.

The workshop will take place in my office near the Tenleytown Metro, NW DC (near Wisconsin Ave. & River Rd., plentiful parking). YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER FOR THIS WORKSHOP as space is limited and it will likely fill up. To register, visit this web page, www.socialanxietyhelp.com, or call Larry Cohen, LICSW, 202-244-0903. Details as to location will be given when you register.

Share the Warmth The DC Center way.....Hat , gloves & scarf drive

2016-12-08T21:14:46Z

On December 17 we are coming together as a community to help our LGBTQ community by giving the gift of warmth.

We are conducting a coat, gloves, hat & scarf drive to let our community know that we are here for them this winter. As the winter approaches we must give back to those who aren't fortunate to have coats or winter gear

Giving back is the best gift. Knowing you're making a difference to a very under served community is an even bigger accomplishment. Come join us and end the year with cheers of joy.

Although we are accepting early donations for our share the warmth coat drive the official launch date will be on December 17 2016 at the End violence against sex workers event

For any question or concerns please feel free to contact our office for details

The DC Center for the LGBT Community (202) 682-2245

2000 14th Street NW, Suite 105
Washington, DC 20009

HIV working group Prep Rally packing party

2016-12-07T20:30:23Z

Its A Celebration

The HIV Working Group's End of the year packing party will be December 20th at The DC Center (2000 14th Street NW, Suite 105, Washington DC 20009). So, join volunteers at our office from 7pm to 9pm!

There will be refreshments , music by DJ Tony, Spirit of Prevention Costume Contest, and Gift card drive for the youth shelters / christmas

Come out and join us and help put together safer sex kits to be distributed at LGBT spaces in DC, including Town, JR's, Green Lantern, and Secrets. If you are aware of spaces that are in need of safer sex kits that serve communities of color, please have them contact the DC Center to be added to our kit distribution list.

You too can fight HIV in DC by volunteering your time to this effort! You can meet new people, and find out more about the HIV Working Group and the DC Center's new campaign aimed at reaching MSM's and Trans women of color. The new kits will include information on PrEP, a new medication that reduces the risk of contracting HIV by over 92% with just one pill a day!

World AIDS Day Art Events

2016-12-01T19:35:51Z

Looking for ways to join members of the community in uniting for World AIDS Day? Look no further. The following list is a compilation of artistic happenings in the metro area commemorating World AIDS Day 2016.

What: An Evening of Storytelling: HIV Providers and Professionals United
When: Thursday, December 1st, 2016 @ 5-7pm
Where: University of Maryland, Baltimore--School of Nursing, Room 140
655 W Lombard St, Baltimore, MD 21201

December 1st is World AIDS Day. Please join us for a night of thought provoking discussion with HIV providers and professionals who have dedicated their life's work to addressing the HIV Epidemic.
Find more info here.

What: An Evening with Cleve Jones, author of When We Rise
When: Thursday, December 1st, 2016 @ 6:30-9:30pm
Where: all Souls Church, Unitarian
1500 Harvard St. NW, Washington, DC 20009

Join Whitman-Walker Health and All Souls Justice Ministries as we host Cleve Jones, longtime activist and creator of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, in an evening of conversation about his life and forthcoming memoir, "When We Rise: My Life in the Movement."
Find more info here.

What: A Day With(out) Art: A Compulsive Practice
When: Thursday, December 1st, 2016 @ 7-9pm
Where: 3229 Walbridge Pl NW, Washington, DC 20010

For the 2016 Day With(out) Art, Visual AIDS presents COMPULSIVE PRACTICE, a video compilation of compulsive, daily, and habitual practices by nine artists and activists who live with their cameras as one way to manage, reflect upon, and change how they are deeply affected by HIV/AIDS. This hour-long video program will be distributed internationally to museums, art institutions, schools and AIDS organizations.
Find more info here.

What: World AIDS Fashion Show (Shades of Blue 2.0)
When: Thursday, December 1st, 2016 @ 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Busboys and Poets
235 Carroll St NW, Washington, DC 20012

Join us for a night of art and fashion while discussing matters surrounding women and sexual reproductive health. Get the facts about PrEP as an HIV prevention tool. Refreshments will be provided.
Find more info here.

Finally, we'd be remiss to not invite our community to the Reel Affirmations screening of "Pushing Dead", a film about living with HIV directed by Tom E. Brown. Following the film, there will be a Q&A with the director and leaders from the HIV prevention community. Cocktails and light fare available with purchase of Reel Affirmations reception ticket. Both reception and general admission tickets can be purchased at reelaffirmations.org

What: Reel Affirmations Presents in Honor of World AIDS Day: Pushing Dead
When: Friday, December 2nd @ 7-9pm
Where: Human Rights Campaign building
1640 Rhode Island ave NW, Washington, DC 20036
Find more info here.

Mayor Bowser and HAHSTA Anouncement

2016-12-01T00:32:47Z

Mayor Bowser and DC's HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis, STI and Tuberculosis Administration (HAHSTA) will reveal a new plan to slow the progress of HIV in DC on Thursday, December 1st, 10:30 am, at HAHSTA's new wellness center at 77 P St., NE, Washington, DC 20002. As we strategize and fight to end HIV, is also really important to show the powers that be who we are. It is equally important to make sure that our voices are heard as a community. If you are available, come out and make your presence known!

If you have questions about attending, please reach out to Ron @ rswanda@earthlink.net

See you There!!!

Reel Affirmations Presents: Pushing Dead

2016-11-30T23:35:30Z

Pushing Dead Starring Danny Glover and James Roday Directed by Tom E. Brown will be screening on December 2nd at 7pm at the Human Rights Campaign, 1640 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036.

We are proud to educate, laugh and cry together as we fight against the HIV epidemic. We identified this event as an opportunity to entertain and educate.
Please support this partnership by purchasing a ticket and attending this interactive cinema experience. Information regarding tickets sales and logistics are included in the information below.

If you are not able to attend, you can still purchase a ticket as a donation and support our organization and the film. This multidimensional event is sure to inspire and unify our community as we learn together. There will be a brief discussion time in which
some of the peers, staff, and group members may share thoughts and new information.

When a struggling writer, HIV positive for 20+ years, accidentally deposits a $100 birthday check, he is dropped from his health plan for earning too much. In this new era of sort-of universal care, can he take on a helpless bureaucracy but also come up with $3000 a month to buy meds on his own?

See You There!!!

Watch the trailer here and purchase tickets click here for the film.

HIV Working Group Meeting in December

2016-11-21T21:07:36Z

The HIV Working Group is a volunteer-driven HIV/AIDS outreach, education, and advocacy initiative of The DC Center.

Meetings are held every fourth Wednesday of the months at 6PM. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, December 28th at 6:00 PM at The DC Center (2000 14th Street NW, Suite 105).

Please feel free to come in, learn more about the HIV efforts in DC, get involved with our working group.

Like us on facebook!

The DC Center Presents PrEP Facts

2016-10-21T21:02:11Z

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) is when people at very high risk for HIV take HIV medicines daily to lower their chances of getting infected. A combination of two HIV medicines (tenofovir and emtricitabine), sold under the name Truvada® (pronounced tru vá duh), is approved for daily use as PrEP to help prevent an HIV-negative person from getting HIV from a sexual or injection-drug-using partner who's positive. Studies have shown that PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV if it is used as prescribed. PrEP is much less effective when it is not taken consistently.

For those at very high risk for HIV, PrEP can significantly reduce your risk of HIV infection if taken daily. Daily PrEP use can lower the risk of getting HIV from sex by more than 90% and from injection drug use by more than 70%. You can combine additional strategies with PrEP to reduce your risk even further.

PrEP can be prescribed only by a health care provider, so talk to yours to find out if PrEP is the right HIV prevention strategy for you. You must take PrEP daily for it to work. Also, you must take an HIV test before beginning PrEP to be sure you don't already have HIV and every 3 months while you're taking it, so you'll have to visit your health care provider for regular follow-ups.

The cost of PrEP is covered by many health insurance plans, and a commercial medication assistance program provides free PrEP to people with limited income and no insurance to cover PrEP care.

When taken every day, PrEP is safe and highly effective in preventing HIV infection. PrEP reaches maximum protection from HIV for receptive anal sex at about 7 days of daily use. For all other activities, including insertive anal sex, vaginal sex, and injection drug use, PrEP reaches maximum protection at about 20 days of daily use.

In people who are HIV-negative and have taken PrEP for up to 5 years, no significant health effects have been seen.

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is only for people who are at ongoing very high risk of HIV infection. But PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is an option for someone who thinks they've recently been exposed to HIV during sex or through sharing needles and works to prepare drugs.

PEP means taking antiretroviral medicines after a potential exposure to HIV to prevent becoming infected. PEP must be started within 72 hours of possible exposure to HIV. If you're prescribed PEP, you'll need to take it once or twice daily for 28 days.

Download our bePrEPed app for IPhone and Andriod!

Contact The DC Center (2000 14th Street NW, Suite 105, Washington DC 20009) for any questions at supportdesk@thedccenter.org or 202-682-2245.

Walk to End HIV with The DC Center

2016-10-21T20:41:14Z

The Walk to End HIV will take place on Saturday, November 12th, 2016. Sign up to walk with The DC Center! It is a great way to help the DC Center and fight for the cause.

To make a donation or sign up to walk with our team, please visit our Walk to End HIV page. Visit The Walk to End HIV website at http://www.aidswalkwashington.org/ for more information about the event.

To learn more about this effort or find out how you can get involved, please contact walktoendhiv@thedccenter.org.

"One Mic, One DIVA" by Peer Ed Shareese "REVLON" Mone'

2016-10-14T22:00:58Z

"One Mic, ONE DIVA" my name is Shareese ""REVLON" Mone... I was raised in Washington D.C. I've always dreamed of becoming a lawyer. But fell on the wrong side of the LAW... never having a desire to do things the traditional way of a good job and earning my keeps. I found the non-traditional way of Forgery, Uttering, Prostitution, AS WELL AS THE CONSTANT DRUG USE... landed myself into a world of Finger Prints, Bail Reviews, Bonding out of Jail, Court Dates, till finally INCARCERATION... Being behind four walls gives you time to think... YES, incarceration did preserve Me, YES, it did...
D.O.C. (department of corrections)... common thought, to rehabilitate the criminal , clean them up and make them do the right things to make it in society... WRONG! the department of corrections is designed to remove the criminal out of society to correct SOCIETY... nothing to do with the criminal... While you're in prison, you get 3 hots and a COT... they don't make you wash yourself (they got rubber rooms for that) they don't make you go to school or even WORK ... your confined to your quarters A CELL and you go to and from chow to eat.... POINT IS you have to take the initiative to want to do better.... AND I DID... while incarcerated I attended school as well as workshops TO BETTER MYESLF, "did my time, didn't let the time do me...." Health and Awareness, Job Opportunities, HIV/AWARE gave me the sense of direction not only to want better, but to do better.
Upon my release I was blessed to have my Mom in my life, with her support and the struggle to want better was driving ME... GO GO GO... but, denial after denial after denial... lead me to depression , not wanting to go on, going back to the NON TRADITIONAL ways that got ME by... STAYED... (Singing) HIGH High HIGH HIIGGHH! I'm tired of making excuses, and time to TAKE THE STAND AS I AM DOING... in a short period of time I became a peer educator at www.HIPS.org and my knowledge for hormonal therapy has Me, co facilitating a group with lesile Perkins that speaks on treatment, injections, and the different types of effects lack of knowledge on your regiments could be. I also SNS (Social Network Strategy) it's a peer driven recruitment strategy to reach people with high risk behavior who may be infected but unaware. People living with HIV understand the importance of getting tested, staying in treatment, and adhering to medical conditions. By being a RECUITERS, it gives people living with HIV a chance to protect others in their community.
the dc center gave me the opportunity to give back to my LGBT community. Mentoring younger and older Trans of all Nationality... on PrEP which means,
Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a way for people who do not have HIV but who are at substantial risk of getting it to prevent HIV infection by taking a pill every day. The pill (brand name Truvada) contains two medicines (tenofovir and emtricitabine) that are used in combination with other medicines to treat HIV.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) | HIV Risk and Prevention | HIV ...
www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/prep/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Be sure to check out The DC Center's BePrEPed app for andriod phones athttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.canic.beprepped or for Iphones at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bepreped/id1099867557?mt=8

New Sis'tah Girl Group November 17

2016-10-14T17:53:13Z

Hello everyone we have a new & exciting group called SIS'TAH TALK.. This group is for all that identify as a SISTER. This group discussion is for ALL of our sisters out there .. Any Race , Any Culture , Any Gender, you can be Male, Female, Trans or Male to attend our group sessions.

This is a super safe space to share Stories, Beauty tips, Personal Issues, Politics, the LGBT community Growth & Downfalls. Workshops , and all LGBT events.

Our new Diverse Group will also touch basis on PrEP , Resources on obtaining PrEP, the wonderful things it does and if its a great fit for you ,we'll also talk about the Importance of condom use, HIV/AIDS and the wide range of statistics in the DMV area

We encourage all of our Sisters to come and be apart of the solution . Let US know the troubles that our Sisters face daily. we will also have light refreshments for all of our Sis'tah TALK group guest.

Thursday, November 17th AT The DC Center (2000 14th Street NW, Suite 105, Washington DC 20009). 7pm to 8:30 pm !

Help Stop HIV in DC!

2016-10-13T15:35:50Z

The DC HIV Prevention Planning Group (HPPG) is looking for volunteers to help address the HIV pandemic in DC.
The HPPG is partnering with the DC Department of Health in order to engage and inform members of the community on the DOH's HIV Prevention Plan. This plan was created by the HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Administration (HAHSTA). The HPPG periodically evaluates HAHSTA's initiatives to ensure that they effectively target the communities and individuals that are most at risk for HIV.
The DC HPPG is a diverse group of people who represent DC as a whole. Engaged community leaders from each of DC's 8 wards are preferred. Additionally, experience or interest in any of the following areas is ideal for this role: HIV/AIDS care, substance abuse services, mental health, family support, health education, corrections, and faith based communities. Each member brings their professional and personal experiences to their work with the HPPG. Members are required to serve two-year terms and can vote on all matters that HPPG is involved in. The HPPG meets six times a year with additional conference calls totaling at a 6-8 hour monthly time commitment. There is also a mandatory member retreat from January 26-27, 2017 so please make sure you are available should you want to apply.

Applications can be submitted at any time to the DC HPPG Coordinator, montez.legrand@dc.gov.

Interviews will take place on October 25, 2016 so please get your application in before then!

Please view this flyer for additional information!

HIV Working Group November Packing Party

2016-10-12T20:43:45Z

Come out and join us and help put together safer sex kits to be distributed at LGBT spaces in DC, including Town, JR's, Green Lantern, The Fireplace and Secrets.

You can help fight the HIV epidemic in the District of Columbia by volunteering your time to this effort. Come meet new people and educate yourself on what you can do to prevent the spread of HIV in your own community.

If you are aware of spaces that are in need of safer sex kits that serve communities of color, please have them contact the DC Center to be added to our kit distribution list.

Tuesday, November 1st and November 15 at The DC Center (2000 14th Street NW, Suite 105, Washington DC 20009). 7pm to 9pm!

These events happen every 1st and third Tuesday.

Our kits also include important information on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This is a revolutionary medication that acts to prevent HIV.

November

Reel Affirmations Film Festival Presents: Strike a Pose

2016-10-07T18:32:00Z

FILM: Strike a Pose

WHEN: Sunday, October 16th @ 3pm

WHERE: Gala Hispanic Theatre | 3333 14th St NW

SYNOPSIS: A quarter-century ago, Madonna's blockbuster Blonde Ambition tour and scandalous backstage film Truth or Dare thrust seven young backup dancers into the pop culture spotlight. Now, reassembled on-camera for the first time since, the talented performers who helped the Material Girl bring voguing to the mainstream - Luis, Jose, Kevin, Carlton, Slam, and Oliver - continue to express themselves, baring their truth in this revealing documentary look at the dancers after the dance.

Tickets for the screening of Strike a Pose can be purchased here.

Click here to view the film's trailer.