June 1st marks the start of Pride Month. Today, we recognize that the LGBTQ+ community is disproportionately impacted by HIV, and that those across the spectrum may be less likely to seek health care because of discrimination.
For healthcare providers, working to reduce stigma, discussing sexuality and gender identity in an affirming and inclusive way, and informing patients of PrEP and other preventative measures against HIV is essential to the health and wellness of patients who identify as LGBTQ+. When we stand up to HIV stigma, we create a space where everyone can be their authentic selves.
Access the HIV Stigma & LBGT Communities HIV Learning Network (HIVLN) webinar by Shawn Demmons, MPH, Director, Pacific AETC – Bay Area, North & Central Coast below:
Access the following Pride Month resources from HIV.gov:
Celebrating Pride, Together.
“Happy Pride Month! Pride season is upon us, and Pride events are full of opportunities to engage with the LGBTQ+ community and our communities at large to share important messages to reduce HIV stigma and address testing, prevention, and treatment. In celebrating Pride together, CDC’s Let’s Stop HIV Together campaign has developed this Pride-in-a-Box guide with materials to help partners and organizations meet their audiences where they are. This comprehensive resource includes everything you need to run a successful Pride event from start to finish. It includes posters, palm cards, brochures, and more to use on-site. There are web banner ads and social media assets that you can use to “wrap around” your Together Pride events, as well as tips and tricks for pre-planning, day of, follow up, and evaluation of your Together Pride activation.
We encourage you to use our social media assets throughout Pride season for promotion and engagement. The materials address the full array of key HIV topics including HIV testing, condoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), HIV treatment, being undetectable, and reducing HIV stigma. To help you plan your activities, this guide is divided into sections with specific strategies for implementing the Together campaign for Pride season, gaining visibility at your local Pride festival, conducting post-Pride follow-up activities, and even suggestions and tips to help you evaluate the success of your efforts. It also includes ideas to help you host a virtual Together online Pride event when you can’t attend a festival or when circumstances don’t allow for in-person events.
A Pride event in your community is a prime time to highlight your HIV work. This guide will help you plan your virtual or in-person Together Pride activities with:
- Specific strategies for gearing up for Pride season
- Activating at your local Pride festival
- What to do after your Pride activities
- A set of digital and print materials to make your Together Pride event one to remember!
If you aren’t planning any events yourself but you plan to attend any Prides this year, keep your eyes open for Together Pride events happening across the country hosted by Together’s various PACT Partners and Community Ambassadors.
This Pride season let’s take pride in stopping HIV together.”