Lost-n-Found Youth’s Post

It’s a common misconception that people in the LGBTQ+ community can’t donate organs. However, anyone can become an organ donor, and anyone can benefit from receiving a life-saving organ transplant.   The passage of the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act in 2013 paved the way for the transplantation of organs from HIV-positive donors to HIV-positive recipients. As of May 2024, 29 hospitals in the U.S. participate in HOPE Act research.   The act has also helped to advance greater understanding and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community, which has been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. Everyone has the potential to leave a lasting legacy through organ donation, providing immediate hope for those waiting for a life-saving transplant. #PrideMonth #SayYesGiveLife

🗣️ "Organizations can mark World AIDS Day by hosting educational events, organizing fundraisers for HIV/AIDS research, and promoting awareness campaigns through social media." ❤️🎗️ Capco joined forces for the first time with Wipro's LGBTQ+ Charter to participate in the Red Run LDN in support of HIV charities! We spoke with Julien Brain, MBA (he/him), who leads the Global LGBTQ+ Charter at Wipro, about the significance of the recent collaboration with Capco - as well as what World AIDS Day means to him personally, and how organizations can come together to observe World AIDS Day. ⬇️Check out the full article below #WorldAIDSDay:

CALL TO ACTION !!! PARTNERSHIPS!!!Support Ugandan LGBTIQ+ members seeking asylum and their children, while addressing HIV prevention, fostering a safe space, and promoting economic empowerment: Introduction: We at [email protected], are dedicated to supporting Ugandan LGBTIQ+ individuals seeking asylum in safer countries, currently sheltered in Kenya. Our goal is to provide a safe and inclusive environment for them and their children. Supporting Children's Education: One crucial aspect of our work is ensuring access to education for the children of LGBTIQ+ individuals. We aim to secure school fees and educational resources to empower these children with knowledge and opportunities for a brighter future. This is through our QUEER TOTO "support my Education" project. Ending HIV Among the LGBTIQ+ Community: We recognize the importance of addressing HIV prevention within the marginalized LGBTIQ+ community. Through partnerships with healthcare providers and awareness campaigns, we strive to promote safe practices, provide access to testing, and offer support for those living with HIV. We are currently sheltering 11/20 Ugandan queer members at our [email protected] in Rongo Kenya who need special attention in terms of HAART monitoring,ARVs adherence supervision, counselling and guidance, HIV prevention awareness and special care in terms of nutritious meals. LGBTIQ Rights Activism: Advocacy and activism play a vital role in creating a safe and accepting environment for all. We actively engage in promoting LGBTIQ rights, challenging discrimination, and fostering social acceptance through community outreach and awareness initiatives. We are actively using our social media platforms to advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion for all .We need partnerships, grants to push through with our goal towards a world free from bias and hatred where all people are equal despite their social orientation, gender identity, expression and sex characteristics.Love is love and love wins. We strongly petition against the Ugandan Anti-homosexuality Act 2023. Economic Empowerment and Financial Sustainability: To enhance food security and promote self-reliance, we facilitate gardening and small business startup initiatives. By providing training, resources, and mentorship, we empower individuals to generate income, improve their livelihoods, and achieve financial sustainability. Call to Action: We invite donors and well-wishers to support our mission. Your contributions can help secure school fees for children, fund HIV prevention programs, support LGBTIQ rights activism, and enable economic empowerment initiatives. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of these individuals and their families. Visit https://gofund.me/9048d52b to support our vision. Thank you for considering our concept note. We appreciate your support in creating a safer and more inclusive world for the Ugandan LGBTIQ+ community.

Major changes to guidelines for blood donation happening this week and we are so proud of GSBA Member Bloodworks NW, and friend of GSBA John Rubino! GSBA Policy Counsel and Governmment Relations Manager Gabriel Neuman has this to say of the changes: "Any time spent with the LGBTQ+ community demonstrates that the idea of Pride runs much deeper than a march—it translates to a year-round commitment toward the uplift and health of our neighbors. Until now, many queer folks have been unable to donate blood due to outdated guidelines. Previous standards inherited unnecessary stigmas from the AIDS epidemic, while gendered language left transgender folks feeling confused and left out. The new FDA rules represent turning of a new leaf toward inclusion of the broad diversity within the LGBTQ+ community. They show that our government is committed to full recognition and integration of queer folks; and that we are seen as an essential component to the sustainability of our nation’s health. And proudly implementing this new, inclusive policy is GSBA member, Bloodworks NW, who have been fiercely advocating for fair and science-based donor eligibility for over 15 years. GSBA is thrilled at these new standards for blood donation and looks forward to working more closely with Bloodworks NW in the future. We take this news back to our community with pride.” Read all about the changes here: https://lnkd.in/gRWvCesn

Join Us for a Day of Community, Health, and Giving Back! LGBT Life Center, in collaboration with Stonewall Sports - Norfolk, is excited to invite you to our upcoming Community Health Day and Yard Sale! This event promises not only a fantastic opportunity to declutter and find new treasures but also to engage with our community in a meaningful way, prioritizing health, awareness, and support. Register to sell here: https://bit.ly/3W3DolV Date: May 4, 2024 Time: 11 AM – 4 PM Location: 5360 Robin Hood Road, Norfolk – Look for signs and smiles! What’s Happening: Yard Sale Extravaganza: Have items cluttering up your space? Bring them to our yard sale! It’s the perfect chance to give your belongings a second life with someone who will treasure them. And who knows? You might find some hidden gems to take home too! Free Health Screenings: Your health is your wealth! We’re offering free HIV/STI screenings on-site. Quick, confidential, and conducted by caring professionals, these screenings are a crucial step in taking charge of your health. Learn About PrEP: Heard about PrEP but not sure what it is or how you can likely get it for free (including labs and doctors visits)? We have all the information you need to understand how this medication can work as part of your strategy to prevent HIV. Knowledge is power, and we’re here to empower you! Community Resources: Discover a wealth of resources and support available within our community. Whether you’re looking for support groups, mental health services, or ways to get involved, there’s something for everyone. Why You Should Join Us: This event isn’t just about finding great deals or getting a health check (though those are big pluses!). It’s about coming together as a community to support each other in every aspect of our lives. It’s about creating a space where everyone feels welcome, valued, and heard. So, clear out your closets, grab your friends, and join us for a day filled with positivity, health, and community spirit. Let’s make this day a testament to our unity and our commitment to each other’s well-being. For more information or to volunteer, please contact event organizers at [email protected]. See you there!

Exciting news for LGBTQ+ aging advocacy! California launches its first-ever survey to better understand the needs of LGBTQ seniors across the state. As Openhouse Executive Director, Kathleen M. Sullivan, Ph.D., rightly pointed out, "We don’t have a good idea of what the aging experience is for the LGBTQ+ community." This initiative aims to shed light on the unique challenges faced by this community, from healthcare demands to finding inclusive assisted living options. The survey, part of California's Master Plan for Aging, reflects a crucial step toward ensuring equitable and tailored support for LGBTQ+ elders. By gathering data and insights directly from the community, we can work towards closing gaps in services and promoting inclusivity in aging care. Read more about this groundbreaking effort in the San Francisco Chronicle: https://lnkd.in/gwUBR6jE Let's continue to champion initiatives that prioritize the well-being of LGBTQ+ seniors and create a more supportive and inclusive aging landscape for all.  #LGBTQ #AgingAdvocacy #InclusiveAging #CaliforniaAgingSurvey

"Isolation. Trauma. Returning To The closet. State’s Aging LGBTQ Population Faces Unique Challenges." California is conducting its first-ever survey of LGBTQ older adults to better understand their diverse needs across the state. The survey is meant to help state leaders and aging advocates better understand and quantify the diverse needs of LGBTQ seniors across the state, including the particular health care demands of long-term HIV survivors and the challenges some queer older adults face finding assisted living. Previous surveys in other states and communities, including a 2014 study in San Francisco, found that LGBTQ adults are confronted with unique challenges compared to their straight and cisgender peers as they age. Survey organizers hope the statewide study will help them identify trends in the LGBTQ community, but also issues that may be particular to certain groups — the needs of an older transgender woman in San Francisco may be very different from a gay Latino senior in the Central Valley, for example. “It is a unique aging experience for LGBTQIA older adults,” said Susan DeMarois, director of the California Department of Aging. “And the more we can tailor services to the unique needs of individuals, the more successful we’ll be.” https://lnkd.in/gaUWHzrV

In addition to defending clients as part of the firm’s Product Liability Litigation Practice Group, Associate Bill Walberg is committed to representing the city’s vulnerable, including members of the LGBTQ+ community at risk for becoming unhoused. Bill is the president of the Board of Directors of SAVE Inc., a Kansas City-based organization that provides housing and emergency services to the city's most vulnerable populations facing homelessness, housing discrimination and other challenges.   SHOOK: How does SAVE Inc. support the LGBTQ+ community's housing needs?  WALBERG: SAVE Inc. started in 1985 as an eight-bed hospice facility, providing a place for those with HIV/AIDS to die with dignity. It was the only facility of its kind in the area at the time. As treatment for HIV has advanced and has no longer become a death sentence, SAVE has evolved into an organization that supports nearly all “high-risk” populations, including those with a history of mental illness and substance abuse. SAVE continues to provide supportive housing for individuals living with HIV and immediate shelter needs for those who identify as LGBTQ+.    SHOOK: Please describe your involvement with SAVE Inc. as president of its Board of Directors.  WALBERG: In short, my job is to connect the KC community with SAVE Inc. through programming and outreach. However, since our previous CEO left, my role has significantly expanded. I stepped in as an interim executive director and worked from the SAVE headquarters for about three months last year, alongside my incredible executive committee members. By the grace of God, we hired an incredible CEO, Patrick McLaughlin, who took over in November 2023. In addition to advising our new CEO, I have helped facilitate our various committees and programming, including HAVEN: the Way Home, which is SAVE’s new annual gala. We raised more than $350,000 and hope to build on that momentum into next year. Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2025 date and theme!   SHOOK: What are other ways allies could support the LGBTQ+ community?  WALBERG: Honestly, the best support from allies is through your words and actions in your daily lives. You can do something as simple as using a person's correct pronouns or speaking up if others in the room are criticizing Pride Month, the pride flag, trans people, drag queens, etc. Most people are not inherently bad; they are simply repeating what they heard from someone else or what they saw on the news. Engaging in a calm but direct conversation can begin to shift their mindset from the current vacuum and open them up to a dialogue. We are in a dark period for the LGBTQ+ community after many years of progress and allies standing up for the community is more important than ever. Learn more about Bill: https://lnkd.in/gTGj34-c **** #ShookPrideMonth #PrideMonth

It's crucial to prioritize our sexual health and well-being, and getting tested is a crucial component of that. Fortunately, participating in regular testing doesn't have to be a complicated or uncomfortable process. As we celebrate Sexual Health Week, we want to encourage members of our community to take advantage of the free at-home testing kits offered by Publicly Private. By providing a secure and anonymous way to obtain accurate results, these testing kits empower individuals to take control of their health and take proactive steps to protect themselves and those around them. https://lnkd.in/g34STSYz #Igbtqia #nonprofitorganization #gettested #knowyourstatus #endhivstigma #SexualHealth #nonprofit #hivawareness #fundraiser #hivaids #hivpositive #hivprevention #hiv #PrEP #aids #sexpositive #womenshealth #sexeducation #sti #queer

🌈❣️ #WorldAIDSDay Reflections: Surviving the Epidemic ❣️🌈 As we commemorate World #AIDS Day, let's remember that the fight against HIV/AIDS is far from over. Over 39 million people globally are still living with #HIV, and a quarter of them lack access to healthcare. This pandemic persists, impacting lives with illness, prejudice, and stigma. On this day, we stand in solidarity, raising awareness of this epidemic that impacted the LGBTQ+ community so heavily in the 1980's. 🌍 Personal Perspective: A 64-Year-Old's Reflection Meet our incredible DRM Volunteer, Ash, who lived through the early days of the epidemic. He vividly recalls the fear, homophobia, and lack of support during a time when misinformation and discrimination ran rampant. But resilience prevailed as the LGBTQ+ community rallied, supporting each other through organisations like 'Switchboard' and 'Sahir House.' 📖 New Blog Alert: "Surviving the Epidemic: A 64-Year-Old’s Reflection on World AIDS Day. Gain insights into a survivor's journey, the challenges faced, and the triumphs achieved. Join us in commemorating the past, acknowledging the present, and fostering hope for the future. 🔗 Read here: https://lnkd.in/euzxrtmp 💪 Diversity Role Models is committed to raising awareness of LGBTQ+ issues. While our workshops focus on broader topics, we understand the importance of addressing HIV-related questions. We encourage dialogue, signpost resources like @switchboardlgbt and @themixuk and celebrate the strength of our community. 👥 Celebrating LGBTQ+ Elders Our community is resilient. We didn't just survive; we thrived. Diversity Role Models proudly showcases #LGBTQ+ elders, reminding everyone that we fought against adversity and continue to support each other. Together, we build bridges between generations, ensuring that the wisdom and strength of our chosen family endure. Join us in commemorating #WorldAIDSDay, honouring those we've lost, supporting those living with HIV, and fostering a future free from stigma. 🕊️🏳️🌈 #EndTheStigma #LGBTHistory #LGBTQEducation #LGBTQSupport