Here at Fenway, we see first-hand how homophobia and transphobia negatively impact the health and well-being of LGBT people. Here are five ways you can participate in the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia to make sure it continues to get better for the LGBT community:
Spread the Word through Social Media Link to this post or the IDAHOT website on Facebook or Twitter. Tweet your support for the LGBT community using hashtag #IDAHOT. Write your own blog about IDAHOT and share it on Tumblr. Snap a photo of yourself holding a pro-LGBT sign for Instagram. Make equality go viral!
Contact Your Elected Officials Write your elected officials and ask them to support LGBT-inclusive legislation and oppose legislation that is homophobic or transphobic. Let politicians know you support protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans from employment discrimination and domestic violence. Tell them your community matters, and your vote matters.
Give Back to the LGBT Community Donate to your favorite LGBT causes. If you can’t donate money, donate time. Philanthropy and volunteering can be both fun and rewarding.
At Fenway, we can’t wait to celebrate Boston LGBT Pride with supporters who will help us build our float and march with us. We’re also looking forward to the Boston Spirit Summer Cruise—100% of the ticket sales benefit our work for LGBT health and our supporters get to enjoy a great party.
Share Your Story Let others know how homophobia or transphobia has affected you. You can help your friends and family understand how anti-LGBT bias negatively impacts people they know and love.
Listen to Someone Else’s Story Homophobia and transphobia impact us all differently. If you are a cisgender man or woman, educate yourself about the challenges faced by trans members of our community. If you are an LGBT adult, do something that benefits the youth in our community—who face much higher levels of harassment and homelessness than their heterosexual peers. As we work to open other people’s minds, we should see where there’s room to grow ourselves.
And remember, you can take these steps against homophobia and transphobia not just today but every day!
On Tuesday, May 8, the Young Leaders Council of Fenway Health will be hosting a screening of short films for the 28th Annual Boston LGBT Film Festival. The screening features Lions of New York, a documentary that follows the New York City’s most prominent gay hockey team; Pursuit, a film by Patty Newton that deconstructs the traditional romantic comedy with two female leads; and Au Commencement, a subtitled French animated short about two sperm who happened to be gay.
Additionally, the award-winning documentary filmmaker Blair Doroshwalther and producer Giovanna Chesler will present a sneak preview rough-cut of their documentary, The Fire this Time, which tells the story of the “New Jersey Seven,” a group of young, gay women of color who were verbally assaulted and physically attacked by a twenty-nine-year-old man, only to be sent to prison for defending themselves. Blair and Giovanna will be present following the screening for a Q & A.
The screening will begin at 7:30 PM on the 10th Floor of Fenway Health’s Ansin Building, at 1340 Boylston Street. Visit the Facebook event here and the program catalog on the Boston LGBT Film Festival’s website here.
The Young Leaders Council (YLC) is an initiative of Fenway Health to empower emerging LGBT leaders and allies to shape their community’s future. Through exclusive events and programs, we’re fostering a culture of philanthropy that will advance Fenway’s mission of care, research, education, and advocacy. We welcome people in their 20s and 30s passionate about Fenway’s mission, building community, and having fun with like-minded peers.
In honor of STD awareness month, here is a 1960s Ad Council public service announcement about venereal disease (The “V.D.” that cheerful voice is singing about):
Although how we understand and discuss sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) has changed a lot 40+ years since this PSA was produced, it is important as ever that we stay educated and empowered about our sexual health.
Young people are especially impacted. Even though youth age 15–24 make up only 25% of sexually active Americans, they acquire nearly half of all new STDs.
In 2008, men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for 63% of primary and secondary syphilis cases in the United States.
People living with HIV experience more negative impacts of sexually transmitted infections, such as increased risk of neurosyphilis, HPV-related anal cancer in HIV-Positive MSM, and Pelvic Inflammatory disease in HIV-positive women.
Here are five things we can all do to protect our sexual health:
Stay Informed Most STDs are easily cured if they are caught early but often go untreated because people don’t recognize their symptoms as possible signs of a sexually transmitted infection. If you notice any changes in your health, don’t write it off! Ask your health care provider.
Play Safe(r) Safer sex practices can help protect you from getting a sexually transmitted infection. And safer sex isn’t limited to using condoms! There are other options you can explore to reduce your risk of catching an STD. Talk to your provider about your sexual practices and how you can cut your risk.
Get Tested Some people don’t know they have an STD because they have no symptoms or have confused the symptoms for something else—a UTI, “jock itch,” etc. Make routine HIV/STD screening a part of your medical care. If you’re in the Boston area and want to know more about HIV/STD testing services, you can call Fenway’s referral line at 617.267.0159. For other areas, check National HIV and STD Testing Resources.
Stop Playing the Shame Game STDs are a common occurrence with an uncommon level of stigma attached to them. Many people avoid getting tested because they are embarrassed—by their symptoms or because they fear judgment from others for getting tested. But getting tested is an important way to keep yourself and your sexual partners healthy—it’s nothing to be ashamed of!
Start a Conversation
Communication is one of the best tools we have to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
Sexual partners can protect each other by disclosing their most recent test results or navigating safer sex practices.
Patients should feel able to openly discuss their sex lives with health care providers and counsellors, who can discuss risk reduction strategies and recommend testing when appropriate.
We can all encourage others to make healthier decisions by spreading information and awareness about STDs and testing.
To learn more about HIV and STD testing and counseling services at Fenway Health’s 1340 Boylston Street location, Fenway: South End, or Fenway: Sixteen, call 617.265.0159 or make a medical appointment at 617.927.6000. Young people ages 12–29 can access these services at the Sidney Borum, Jr. Health Center by calling 617.457.8140.
