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:

1. 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!

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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!

Looking at other Women’s Health Week resources, I found the same general health advice: eat healthy, exercise, seek routine preventive care, avoid unhealthy behaviors, and foster good mental health. Yes, these are all vital to maintaining health, but hasn’t almost everyone heard this advice at least 100 times? And shouldn’t people of all genders aim to practice these healthy behaviors? Of all the extremely important women’s health issues, this is what we focus on during a week dedicated to women’s health?

Many LBT women feel uncomfortable talking about their sexual orientation or gender identity, preventing them from getting the care they deserve.

I was ready to give up on this post when I was inspired by some simple words from my mother. She was a single mom who returned to college when my sisters and I were in elementary school. Despite having three daughters to raise alone, she managed to excel in school and eventually complete a graduate degree.

My mom is a fighter, and she fought for her health and the health of her children. She disagreed with healthcare providers if she was unsatisfied with their diagnosis or treatment plan. We lived in poverty, went through periods of being uninsured, and had limited access to competent healthcare providers. Yet, my mom always advocated for the best possible care. And, believe me, we got it.

I spoke to my mom a few days ago and we discussed some health problems she has been experiencing. She said to me, “Christina, why don’t doctors listen to their patients? I know my body better than anyone.” As we talked about her plans for seeking further care she told me that, “it always helps to be assertive.”

I was reminded why it’s important for all of us to participate in National Women’s Health week. This week is not just about knowing what behaviors lead to good health; it’s about empowering ourselves to be our own best health care advocates—especially as members of a traditionally marginalized (Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender) community.

This means:

1. Taking responsibility for engaging in healthy behaviors;
2. Being educated about the health issues that affect us;
3. And not being afraid to fight for the healthcare we all deserve.

In celebration of National Women’s Health week, take a stand for your health! If you haven’t spoken to a medical or behavioral health care provider recently, make an appointment. Are you overdue for an HIV or STD test? Get one in honor of Women’s Health Week!

Be proactive about your health. Too often, we ignore our health and wellness needs until we are sick. Fenway offers these free services to help educate and support you, so you can be an active participant in your own health:

• Wellness Coaching Free 30-minute, individual sessions with a health educator to learn about resources and goal setting for tobacco cessation, healthy eating, physical activity, and healthy sleep habits. For more information contact Tricia Dougherty at 617.927.6169 or pdougherty@fenwayhealth.org.
• Take Charge Series A series of free, evening group sessions with a health educator to discuss topics related to tobacco cessation, healthy eating, physical activity, and healthy sleep habits. For more information, contact Tricia Dougherty at 617.927.6169 or pdougherty@fenwayhealth.org.
• Contraception Counseling Free sessions with a contraception counselor to discuss contraceptive methods and explore options that work for you. To schedule an appointment, call 617.927.6000.

We also have the following research opportunities for women who want to help us better understand Women’s Health:

• LifeSkills A 12 month research study that focuses on empowering young trans women to reduce sexual risk and improve their lives. You can learn more about this study by emailing lifeskills@fenwayhealth.org.
• Vaginal Ring Study A study investigating the use of a medicated vaginal ring for HIV prevention.  More information is available by contacting Vince Pancucci at 617-927-6450 or vpancucci@fenwayhealth.org .

Happy National Women’s Health Week and in the words of my mother: know your body and be assertive!

Kenneth H. Mayer, MD, Medical Research Director and Co-Chair of The Fenway Institute (Photo credit: Marilyn Humphries)

Fenway Health issued a statement commending the FDA panel’s decsion and Dr. Kenneth H. Mayer, Fenway’s Medical Research Director and Co-Chair of The Fenway Institute, was quoted in a Reuters story that was picked up by a number of major news outlets.

“Today is an exiciting day for HIV prevention. Although FTC-TDF for PrEP is not a panacea, this approach can prevent many new infections and could dramatically impact HIV transmission worldwide,” said Dr. Mayer.  “We at Fenway Health are gratified to have been involved with this field of research for several decades and are delighted to have helped to demonstrate the utility of this approach for prevention.”

You can read the full Fenway Health statement here.

FTC-TDF is an anti-HIV medication being reviewed by the FDA for use in preventing HIV infection.

PrEP has the potential to be a game-changer in the effort to curb HIV infection worldwide.  Fenway Health called on the FDA to approve PrEP use in at-risk populations in written comments filed on April 26.

“We believe that if the FDA looks closely at the science, it will see the merit of allowing PrEP to be added to our tool kit to prevent HIV infections,” said Kenneth Mayer, M.D., Medical Research Director and Co-Chair of The Fenway Institute at Fenway Health and a leading researcher in the field of biomedical HIV prevention. “We must deploy new tools to prevent new infections, which are affecting 50,000 Americans each year and more than 2 million people worldwide, most in Africa,” Mayer continued. “PrEP combined with sustained behavioral interventions and medical care to maintain adherence could help us finally begin to turn the tide with this virus.”

Earlier this year, The Fenway Institute issued a Policy Focus summarizing the state of PrEP and microbicides research as of January 2012, looking at willingness to use PrEP among various populations, addressing concerns about PrEP that could present obstacles to implementation, offering strategies for effective implementation, and examining policy issues related to cost and how to make PrEP accessible to those most vulnerable to HIV.

“PrEP has the potential to dramatically reduce HIV incidence among gay men, heterosexual women and men, and other populations,” said Sean Cahill, Director of Health Policy Research at The Fenway Institute and author of the report. “We look forward to action by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization this year to make PrEP available to those most vulnerable to HIV. PrEP could prove an invaluable new tool in the fight against HIV.”

Cahill has also authored a couple of op-ed pieces arguing for the approval of PrEP as an HIV prevention tool, first on March 26 on The Boston Globe’s Podium online opinion blog and then yesterday, May 9, on The Huffington Post.

We’ll be closely watching today’s hearing and will keep you posted about the FDA’s decision.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

On Tuesday, May 8, the Young Leaders Council of Fenway Health will be hosting a screening of short films for the 28^th 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 10^th 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.

Fenway Health applauds the Governor’s signing of the Massachusetts HIV Testing Bill. While not perfect, it does make important change to state law, most importantly moving to an oral consent model for HIV testing. This will help normalize the process and make it a more widespread part of routine medical care in the Commonwealth, allowing us to identify many unaware of their HIV status and get them connected to care and services earlier in the progression of their HIV disease. This will lead to better health outcomes and help reduce lifetime cost-of-care.

The bill as passed does leave intact some barriers to sharing important medical information between providers to ensure the best care possible for HIV patients. We are confident that by working with our community partners and friends in the legislature, these issues can be addressed while still maintaining patient confidentiality.

We thank everyone involved in moving the Testing Bill forward for their thoughtful deliberation and dedication throughout this process, and we look forward to continuing to work together to eliminate barriers to high-quality care for all Massachusetts residents living with HIV/AIDS.

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.

Each year, there are an estimated 19 million new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States. 

• 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.
• Women had 2.7 times the reported chlamydia rate of men in 2009.
• Transgender people experience HIV infection at up to four times the national level.

Here are five things we can all do to protect our sexual health:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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!
5. 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.

Urvashi Vaid accepting the Dr. Susan M. Love Award from Dr. Judith Bradford.

All together, we raised over $375,000 in cash, pledges and in-kind support for Fenway Health’s life-saving services and programs for LGBT people.

None of this would be possible without our supporters, sponsors, and the countless others who worked tirelessly to make this night happen.

Dr. Susan M. Love Award honoree Urvashi Vaid made a powerful call to the lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women in the audience to ensure that leadership positions in the LGBT movement are more fully reflective of the diversity of our community. Vaid, who has been an activist in LGBT and other social justice movements for nearly three decades, urged the women in the audience to “step up and step out politically and philanthropically.” The Rainbow Times has great coverage of the evening and Vaid’s remarks.

Later in the evening, we shared this amazing video of Fenway supporters, staff, and patients celebrating Fenway’s work and the diversity of the community it serves.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Photographer Marilyn Humphries captured great shots of the show and later dancing to DJ Mocha. Also, Studio SMC set up a photo booth where guests posed for some memorable images.

Mayor Tom Menino may have said it best when he addressed the crowd at the beginning of the evening, “This isn’t the ‘Women’s Event’—It’s The Women’s Dinner Party!”

Were you there on Saturday? Let us know what you think. Share your favorite photos, memories, and quotes from the night!

LGBT people have unique health and wellness needs and continue to be impacted by health disparities. For instance:

Compared to other men, MSM are at increased risk of major depression during adolescence and adulthood, bipolar disorder; and generalized anxiety.

• Lesbian women are more likely than straight or bisexual women to be overweight and obese, increasing their risk for cardiovascular disease.
• In 2009, men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for an estimated 2% of the U.S. population but accounted for 64% of new HIV infections.
• In one survey, 41% of transgender respondents had attempted suicide.
• LGBT young people represent an alarmingly high proportion of homeless youths across the U.S.—an estimated 20–40%.
• Many LGBT people turn to substance abuse to cope with increased stress. An estimated 20–30% of gay and transgender people abuse substances, compared to about 9% of the general population.

However, there have been many recent advances in the field of LGBT health. A year ago, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) issued a historic report on LGBT health that highlights a number of issues, including:

• LGBT youth have an elevated risk for attempted suicide and depression.
• LGBT adults lack access to providers who are knowledgeable about LGBT health needs and fear of discrimination in health care settings.
• LGBT elders are more likely to rely on friends and others as caregivers than biological family members, at least in part because they are less likely to have children.
• Research has not been conducted evenly across sexual and gender minority populations, with more research focusing on gays and lesbians than on bisexual and transgender people.
• Research has not adequately examined subpopulations, particularly racial and ethnic groups.

LGBT elders have higher rates of disability, depression, and loneliness compared to heterosexuals of similar ages.

The report also includes recommendations to better understand and address the unique health needs of LGBT Americans.

The U.S. Department  of Health and Human services details a number of accomplishments in the area of LGBT health, including better data collection on LGBT populations and a multi-year HRSA grant to The Fenway Institute to create a national LGBT health technical assistance and training center for community health centers.

Still, our work is far from over. This year’s National LGBT Health Awareness Week focuses on four core principles:

Consumer Empowerment
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals need to be educated about their health and empowered to discuss sexual orientation and gender identity with their providers. If you don’t feel comfortable with your current provider, there are resources to help you find LGBT-affirming care, including the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association provider directory.

Culturally Competent Services
Health care providers need more information and resources to help them better serve the LGBT community. To that end, The Fenway Institute has  released policy briefs on Why and How to gather sexual orientation and gender identity data in a clinical setting. The Fenway Institute has also launched a website for the National LGBT Health Education Center, which will provide educational programming and consultation for health care organizations with the goal of eliminating health disparities among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

More than 20% of transgender survey respondents reported having to teach their doctor about transgender care.

We must also continue to work toward better access to these services for LGBT individuals and support policies that make this possible. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual Americans are roughly twice as likely to be uninsured as the general population—partly due to unequal legal recognition of their relationships and employment discrimination, including insufficient protection against being fired for sexual orientation or gender identity. If all employers offered domestic-partner benefits, the uninsured rates for same-sex and different-sex unmarried couples would decrease by as much as 43%.

Inclusive Policymaking
Congressional briefings are scheduled during LGBT Health Awareness but you can always advocate for more inclusive policies by contacting your local, state, and national representatives. Let them know that LGBT issues matter to you and ask them to support legislation that will improve the health and well-being of your community and oppose discriminatory measures.

Engaged Communities
An engaged community is a healthier community! You can do your part by spreading the word about National LGBT Health Awareness Week and why it matters.

Want to do more? Why not see what events local LGBT organizations are planning? Fenway often sponsors public events such as community forums, wellness workshops, and trainings. Or you can help further our understanding of LGBT health by participating in research studies and community surveys.

Like marriage equality, housing and employment non-discrimination, and bullying, health equity is an important front in the battle for LGBT rights. This week, whether you’re LGBT or an ally, come out for health.

Massachusetts Democratic Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren stopped by Fenway Health’s 1340 Boylston Street location today, March 20, 2012, to learn more about our organization and the work we do, as well as LGBT health and HIV/AIDS issues. Dr. Stephen Boswell, our President & CEO, and Government Relations Director Henia Handler took Warren on a tour of the building, and then she stopped to meet staff and answer questions at our monthly staff meeting.