Congratulations (and Goodbye) to Shareese Mone

Shareese Mone
Shareese Mone, peer educator at the DC Center for the LGBT Community, was recently honored for outstanding contributions to the Transgender community.  Shareese was presented the Up and Coming Activist award at the May Is? “All About Trans” reception.
Shareese started working at the DC Center in September 2016 and has grown professionally during her time with us.   Shareese has hosted packing parties and volunteer nights, facilitated the Trans Support Group, and organized The National Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.  One of my favorite memories of Shareese is when we both were part of the DC Center contingent at the MLK Parade.
I’m sad to share that  Shareese is ending her time with us at the DC Center, but very excited for Shareese as she pursues a new opportunity.   I have no doubt we will continue to work closely with Shareese as she continues the important work for which we share a passion.
While I am sad to see Shareese grow, I’m incredibly proud of the work she has done at the DC Center and how we’ve grown and learned from each other over the years.
Shareese asked we not hold a going away party or announce her departure ahead of time, so we honored that request (goodbyes can always be hard!).   Shareese’s e-mail addreeseshareese@thedccenter.org, will be active for the next week, so if you would like to send her an e-mail, please do.
Sincerely,
David Mariner

DC Prep Campaign Partners with Trans Latinx Community

DC Department of Health Pledge to be PrEPared

According to a 2017 report by the DC Department of Health (DOH) HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Administration (HAHSTA), 12,964 people residing in Washington D. C. live with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

For that reason, HAHSTA is launching the “Pledge to be PrEPared” campaign this month to educate the transgender community living in Washington D. C. about the importance of taking Preexposure Prophylaxis or PrEP.

PrEP is a pill taken once a day, and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that can prevent the HIV infection. Taken daily, PrEP is safe and over 90% effective at preventing HIV.

This unique campaign was created with the close participation of the Latin transgender community in Washington D. C. and Alexa Rodriguez, the Director of Trans-Latin@ DMV. It was developed based on HAHSTA’s ability to recognize the way the transgender community has been perceived in the past. The transgender representation is important to allow this community to communicate their values, their role in society, as well as their needs.

The transgender community participation in the campaign took place from the strategic planning and focus groups to the inclusion of real transgender Latina women in the promotional materials. This resulted in trusted messages in hopes of building trust among this community when deciding to take PrEP, as well as understanding its benefits.

“It’s important to educate the transgender community, as well as to break barriers and taboos about taking PrEP, and understand the real benefits of taking it, especially to prevent HIV,” Alexa said. She added that “the DC Department of Health’s efforts to benefit the transgender community are a big step, but there is still a lot to be done.

Michael Kharfen, HAHSTA’s Senior Deputy Director, agreed with Alexa’s statement, adding: “At DOH we are pleased to introduce this campaign created in collaboration with the transgender community, but we understand these are just the first steps, and that there is more to do in order to fulfill our commitment and dedication to supporting this significant community residing in Washington D. C.”

To participate in this important campaign and get more information, visit #PrEPpledge, PrEPpledge.com or cdc.gov/hiv/risk/prep/index.html.

Research Participants Wanted

Seeking young African American men, transgender women, or gender non-conforming youth who have sexual interest in men for a research study on mentorship. If you are a mentor to such a young person ages 15-24 or you are a young person with sexual interest in males and are being mentored by an adult in Baltimore/DC/Philly, call/text James Conley, III for info: 443-354-2537. Interviews take 1 hour, and you will earn a $50 gift card.

Recruiting Smokers with HIV (Truth Initiative)

 

We are seeking volunteers to participate in a research study being done to understand how to create a quit smoking program for people in the Washington, D.C. area who have HIV and who smoke. We want to understand what type of support system, types of messages, and ways of providing support are best for people living with HIV. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, have HIV infection, currently smoke cigarettes every day, and not currently have any major medical condition (such as heart disease not controlled by medication). Participants receive up to $125.

Two study visits are required, which will last approximately 1 hour each. All participants will get advice on how to quit smoking. Some participants will be signed up for a text messaging program, which will last for 30 days.

If you are interested, please contact study staff at 202-454-5746 or lkierstead@truthinitiative.org.

Principal Investigator: Jessica Elf, Chesapeake IRB Protocol #: Pro00022163

Gay & Bi Young Men Needed for Study

Study for Young Gay and Bi Men
Parent Study
Parent Study

Gay & Bi Young Men are invited to participate in a study to learn how you talk about sex with your parent

Download the Study Flyer Here

Researchers at the George Washington University are conducting a study about how parents and sons talk about sex. To be to eligible to participate, you must be (a) between the ages of 14-22; (b) be assigned male at birth; (c) currently identify as male; (d) identify as gay or bi; (e) be out to at least one parent; and (f) live at least two days/week in your parent’s home. For your parents to be eligible to participate, they must be your parent or legal guardian.

Youth receive $50 for their time and effort and parents receive $100.

To participate, you and a parent must be able to participate in an interview for about 90-minutes at GW or a location convenient for you.

To learn more, text/call: 301-541-7405 Or E-mail: huebner.lab@gmail.com

New Trans Health Coordinator at HAHSTA

Diedre Gray
Diedre Gray
Diedre Gray

The DC Department of Health (DOH) HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Administration (HAHSTA) has hired Diedre Gray to serve in a newly created role as the Trans Health Coordinator.   Ken Pettigrew, from HAHSTA, stated:

” Diedre has been at HAHSTA since June 2016 as a Health IMPACT Specialist. Now serving as the Trans Health Coordinator, Diedre will be responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with community partners from the academic, medical, governmental and community that are involved in transgender health. Diedre will further be responsible for establishing guidelines on approaches for gender affirming procedures like transitioning, hormone replacement therapy, safety and other elements that would have an impact on transgender persons overall health and wellness. Diedre will be working across the agency to inform, support and assess specific needs as it relates to transgender health.”