Posts Tagged ‘gay’

amfAR’s New Study Shows Dire Consequences from Elevated HIV Cases among Black Gay Men in the U.S.

Tuesday, November 18th, 2014

“Despite efforts to reduce disparities in HIV transmission among gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States by optimizing treatment outcomes, significant racial disparities in HIV prevalence will likely persist for decades due to an alarmingly high concentration of HIV in black gay men, a new report finds.

Black MSM in the U.S. have been disproportionately affected by HIV since the beginning of the epidemic, although studies show that black men do not engage in more risk-associated behaviors than white men, and are just as, if not more, consistent about condom use and HIV testing.  Yet disparities in HIV incidence and prevalence between black and white MSM in the U.S. remain largely unexplained.

Reporting in the November 18 online edition of The Lancet HIV, researchers from Emory University Rollins School of Public Health in Atlanta and amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, assessed how existing disparities in HIV prevalence and in the HIV continuum of care explain differences in HIV incidence in MSM.”

Read the rest of the report summary on amfAR’s website: www.amfar.org/Racial-Disparities/

Learn more about HVCS’ programs for young gay black men in the hardest-hit areas of the Hudson Valley.

Thanksgiving Eve Party & Food Drive

Friday, October 17th, 2014

Join the Hudson Valley Bears and Prephab for a pre-Turkey Day dance party at River Station in Poughkeepsie. Get on out for the biggest club night of the year and party for a good cause! Bring donations of non-perishable foods, toiletries, household cleansers, or unwrapped gifts to help fill HVCS’ Dutchess County pantry for the holidays.

National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Monday, September 15th, 2014

logo-national-gay-men-hiv-awareness

National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NGMHAAD) is September 27. 

In 2008 the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) launched this observance day to recognize the disproportionate impact of the epidemic on gay men.

Learn more and find resources you can use to get involved in marking NGMHAAD on and around September 27.

Surviving and Thriving: Older Gay Men and MSM Living with HIV

Friday, September 12th, 2014

In NYS, more than 35% of people living with HIV are gay men or men who have sex with men (MSM). The National HIV/AIDS strategy established the goal of increasing the proportion of HIV-diagnosed gay and bisexual men with undetectable viral load by 20%. This one-day training will prepare non-physician health and human services providers to support older gay men and MSM with retention in medical care, achieving viral suppression and promoting behaviors that will prevent transmission of HIV to their partners.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

  • Recall NYS-specific data which demonstrate the disproportionate impact of HIV on older gay men and MSM living with HIV/AIDS;
  • Define retention in HIV care and viral suppression and explore specific challenges for older gay men and MSM;
  • Define high impact HIV prevention and explore implications for older MSM;
  • Recall how experiences related to “coming out”, stigma, social isolation,  presence or absence of family/ peer support and co-morbidities can impact participation in health care and prevention;
  • Discuss options for health insurance coverage for older adults living with HIV;
  • List the ways a provider can support or enhance a client’s personal and social assets to ensure linkage to care, retention in care and treatment adherence.

Pre-Requisite:

It is strongly recommended that participants have previous training in basic HIV and have taken the following AIDS Institute training: “Overview of HIV Infection and AIDS” (training offered at www.hivtrainingny.org) and have attended the training “Working with Older Adults Living with HIV.”

Target Audience:

Non-physician health and human services providers who work with clients/ patients with HIV including case managers, health home care managers and coordinators, social workers, client services staff and others.

Continuing Education Credits: This training is provided under New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Education and Training Provider Certification Number 0305. Under the NYS OASAS Provider Certificate, this training is approved for 6.5 clock hours toward the education and training requirements for renewal of CASAC/CPP/CPS certification.

Supporting Sexual Health Among Young MSM of Color

Friday, September 12th, 2014

This one-day training will explore the social factors that impact sexual and substance use behaviors among young men who have sex with men (MSM) of color. Health and human services provider will examine how these factors contribute to high rates of sexual and substance use risk behaviors among HIV positive and HIV negative MSM of color.

Prerequisite: Although there is no prerequisite for this course, it is strongly recommended that participants have previous knowledge or training on basic HIV/AIDS information.
Audience: All health and human service providers.

BGHV’s Sundae Fundae Pool Party

Tuesday, August 19th, 2014

Join Big Gay Hudson Valley on Sunday, August 24th for an end-of-summer Sundae Funday Pool Party at the spectacular St. Hubert’s Lodge in Marlboro from 3pm to 7pm.

Just a 15 minute ride from the Mid-Hudson Bridge, St. Hubert’s Lodge features a heated pool, outdoor fireplace, beautiful patio, and lots of sprawling lawn space. Pack your swimsuit and towel, lawn blanket, and a picnic basket for this BYOB summer celebration.

Admission for this event is $10 (pre-registration is required – see the ticket order form below) and includes beats by the DJ Booksmrt, use of the pool, and a sundae from the Adirondack Creamery Sundae Funday Bar.

Rain date for this event will be Sunday September 7th.

Join the Sundae Funday conversation by RSVP’ing and commenting on Facebook.

http://www.biggayhudsonvalley.com/events/sundae-funday-pool-party/

Rate of HIV Infections Declining…Except Among Gay Men

Monday, July 21st, 2014

(Excerpted from an Associated Press feature.)

According to a new major study, the rate of HIV infections diagnosed in the United States each year fell by one-third over the past decade, a government study finds. Experts celebrated it as hopeful news that the AIDS epidemic may be slowing in the U.S.

“It’s encouraging,” said Patrick Sullivan, an Emory University AIDS researcher who was not involved in the study.

The reasons for the drop aren’t clear. It might mean fewer new infections are occurring. Or that most infected people already have been diagnosed so more testing won’t necessarily find many more cases.

“It could be we are approaching something of a ‘ceiling effect,'” said one study leader, David Holtgrave of Johns Hopkins University.

The study is based on HIV diagnoses from all 50 states’ health departments, which get test results from doctors’ office, clinics, hospitals and laboratories. The data span a decade, making this a larger and longer look at these trends than any previous study, said another study author, Amy Lansky of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The findings: 16 out of every 100,000 people ages 13 and older were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2011, a steady decline from 24 out of 100,000 people in 2002.

Declines were seen in the rates for men, women, whites, blacks, Hispanics, heterosexuals, injection drug users and most age groups. The only group in which diagnoses increased was gay and bisexual men, the study found.

Read the full AP article here.

PrEP: What You Need to Know

Monday, July 14th, 2014

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): What You Need to Know

prep graphic

Tuesday, July 29th, at 7:30pm
At The LOFT

You’re seeing it in the news; a little blue pill called Truvada that, taken daily, offers a 99% reduction in the risk of contracting HIV, and referred to as PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis). However, there is a lot more information needed before individuals should just run off to see their doctor for a prescription. There are many questions that need to be answered:

* How did this all come about? Was there a study?
* Does it have to be taken daily?
* What else does it protect me from?
* Is it recommended that I still have to wear a condom?
* Will my health insurance cover it?
* Would I still have to be tested for HIV if I chose to go on PrEP?
* Are there risks or side effects?

Also covered will be PEP, or Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, which involves taking anti-HIV medications as soon as possible after you may have been exposed to HIV to try to reduce the chance of becoming HIV positive.

Join the LOFT as Bryn Ritchie, the Prevention Specialist of HVCS’ Project INFORM, gives us the low-down on what you need to know about PrEP and PEP, followed by a Q&A discussion with Bryn, LOFT staff, and other attendees about the controversies, myths, opinions, and arguments for and against the use of PrEP.

Attendees will receive a $5 Starbucks Gift Card. There will also be giveaways like messenger bags, sex toys, condoms, lube, and plenty of snacks.

“Flower of Iowa” Book Reading & Reception

Wednesday, June 25th, 2014

Gay in the Great War

 Flower of Iowa 

Author’s Reception & Reading at the Center

 Thursday, June 26

7 – 8:30 pm

Apuzzo Hall at the Center (map)

 

 

Former Center Board President Lance Ringel will read from his newly published novel, Flower of Iowa, at an author’s reception in Apuzzo Hall. Hosted by the Center’s Men’s Group, the reception will also include a selection of live music from the First World War performed by Chuck Muckle, and refreshments. Everyone is welcome.

 

 

About Flower of Iowa

 

During the final months of the Great War in France in 1918, young American soldier Tommy Flowers discovers an unexpected attraction to British soldier David Pearson. The two men must navigate this startling revelation as the war reaches a crescendo. Flower of Iowa was picked up by The Advocate magazine’s “Hot Sheet” list of media and cultural events highlights. Read a Q&A with Lance.

LOFT Pride Celebration

Tuesday, May 27th, 2014

The LOFT’s 2014 Pride Celebration

LOFT Pride Logo MediumJune 7, 2014, 1 – 4 pm

Yes, Rain or Shine!
The Courtyard adjacent to The LOFT
252 Bryant Avenue – White Plains, New York

Featuring:

  • Our Annual Garden Party
  • Live Performance by The Glamazons
  • Volunteer Appreciation Honoring Cynthia Long
  • DJ Mimi
  • Bingo Fun
  • A Fundraising Raffle

What better way to start the Pride season than with a fashionable garden party supporting the programs and services of The LOFT, your LGBT community center! You’ll be spending the afternoon in the wonderful courtyard adjacent to The LOFT. With its still fountain, its lush green foliage, and array of early summer flowers, the courtyard is the perfect setting for our Garden Party. Enjoy the wonderful outdoor setting, dine on delicious luncheon fare, and catching up with old friends and making new ones.

Ticket Information/Purchase
Tickets are just $30 for this delightful Pride afternoon of food, fun, and fancy!

Sponsorship Information
Be a Part of the Pride Celebration! Help support The LOFT and this Pride event by becoming a sponsor.

LOFT Pride Celebration Program Book
Show your Pride! Take an ad out for your your business, or congratulate Cynthia Long, our Volunteer of the Year. You can also congratulate The LOFT.