HEALTH

STD testing at LGBTQ health center show dramatic statistics.

A Chicago LGBTQ health center dramatically increased STD screening over 5 years, but many of its patients are still disproportionately burdened by STDs, according to a recent epidemiology report. In the report, researchers assessed the extent and results of testing for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia from 2012 to 2016 at Howard Brown Health — the largest LGBTQ health center in the Midwest.

DESTINATIONS

Let’s not forget, Castro’s Cuba is still anti-gay.

For years, Cuba was not very friendly to homosexuals – i.e., concentration camps for gays and segregation of people with HIV. About 20 years ago, Reynaldo Arenas wrote his memoirs and reminded the world that homosexuality is a crime in Cuba, and he was one of the many exhibits of that repression.  

BUSINESS

Rainbow Camp welcomes LGBT youth.

On a cold late August morning, 14-year-old Max Yemelyanov huddles into a circle of groggy teens, some still wrapped in their blankets. A homemade rainbow flag flaps in the brisk wind as more young people trickle out of their cabins and gather around. There’s a welcome practicality to the morning ritual. “Everyone rub their hands together, let’s create some warm vibes,” shouts a cheery counsellor.

5 THINGS TO KNOW

When y’all doesn’t mean all.

The annual Cville Pride Day is expected to draw more than 5,000 people to celebrate the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender community, and organizer Lisa Green wanted some special baseball caps to sell.  They would be gray with purple lettering spelling out the slogan:  Y’all Means All, but a Pennsylvania manufacturer – Legacy Athletic – doesn’t want the business.

5 THINGS TO KNOW

Webinar for the LGBT community about colorectal cancer.

LGBT Healthlink, a program of CenterLink, will present two webinars during September focusing on colorectal cancer and tobacco cessation for the LGBTQ community. On Sept. 19, 1 p.m., Colorectal Cancer in LGBT Communities will take place. This webinar will discuss colorectal cancer in LGBTQ communities, health systems interventions to reduce high rates of incidence and mortality among the LGBTQ population, the 80 percent by 2018 campaign to increase screening and best practices for LGBTQ engagement.

PRIDE

Pride comes alive in La Crosse.

Once a year, professionals and amateurs alike have the opportunity to strut their stuff down the runway at the La Crosse Center, celebrating La Crosse community Pride with bright lights, glamorous garb and a some whole-hearted lip syncing. Traditionally, Pride Month is celebrated in June, but in La Crosse the festivities fall in September, and this weekend the fun kicks off with the fourth annual “So You Think You Can Drag” show at 9 p.m. Friday, one of three events hosted by The Center: 7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection.

5 THINGS TO KNOW

Gay & bisexual black men are at a higher risk for contacting HIV.

HIV and AIDS are a rising concern in the U.S., but the majority of those affected are in Georgia – more specifically, in Atlanta. The statistical demographics are telling a particular narrative, one that shows that bisexual African American men who are having sex with other men (MSM) are the ones most likely to contract HIV.