We’re so excited to share the big news!
We’re Moving!
Check out all the details about our new location in our press release and watch this space for more details to come!
This amazing next chapter in our LGBTQ+ community members lives needs your support!
Please click here and donate what you can to help support the creation of our new space!
Click here to read our press release
Rendition/Photo Credit: Hickok Cole, our architects on this project
From the convenience of your home you can privately get tested, you can now order a free at home HIV and STI test kit, these tests require no proof of income or insurance. DCs program is administered by the DC Health Department. MD and VA’s programs are run by the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Disease Prevention, with support from the Maryland Department of Health, Center for HIV Prevention and Health Services. Test kits are mailed discretely in a USPS box.
Maryland and Virginia residents click here
DC residents click here
Desde la comodidad de su hogar, puede hacerse la prueba de forma privada, ahora puede solicitar un kit de prueba de VIH e ITS gratis en el hogar, estas pruebas no requieren prueba de ingresos o seguro. El programa de DC es administrado por el Departamento de Salud de DC. Los programas de MD y VA están a cargo de la División de Prevención de Enfermedades del Departamento de Salud de Virginia, con el apoyo del Centro de Servicios de Salud y Prevención del VIH del Departamento de Salud de Maryland. Los kits de prueba se envían por correo discretamente en una caja de USPS.
Residentes de Maryland y Virginia, haga clic aquí
Residentes de DC haga clic aquí
As we reopen, the DC Center is doing our best to meet the needs of our community while creating a safe environment for our staff, volunteers, and visitors. Please see below some of the information available about our space, our meetings, and other questions. We will update this information as necessary as the situation changes or we understand better what information people are looking for.
What are The DC Center’s hours of operation?
After 5 pm on weekdays or on Saturdays, please enter from the side of the building (facing U Street) and state that you’re coming to the DC Center to the security team, who will let you in.
Are support groups/meetings meeting in-person, virtually or hybrid?
Based on surveys and conversations with peer group facilitators and participants, we are offering a hybrid (physical with webstation for Zoom), completely virtual, and in-person only, at each groups’ discretion. The information is available on the event sign-up for each group (easily found via: thedccenter.org/calendar)
Which groups/meetings, and when, are offering a hybrid (in-person with webstation) meeting option? (This list subject to change as groups choose to return to the DC Center’s offices)
2nd Fridays: WiTT from 8 – 9 pm
2nd Saturdays: GenderQueer from 1 – 3 pm (in-person only)
4th Wednesdays: Job Club from 6 – 7 pm.
4th Wednesdays: Ace/Aro Peer Support Group from 7 – 8:30 pm.
Which groups/meetings, and when, are offering a virtual (Zoom) only meeting option?
Any groups not listed above are meeting virtually.
Can I just walk-in to participate in a hybrid support group/meeting?
Currently, the Center is unable to accommodate walk-ups for peer support groups. Registration in advance will be required for peer support group meetings. Information in this regard will be circulated among peer support group leaders and participants as well as be listed on the Center’s website. This is to help make sure the room is not over-crowded.
Are therapy meetings still being offered at the Center?
At this time mental health therapy groups and sessions are available virtually (via HIPAA compliant Zoom) or in person. Therapy locations will be chosen based on conversations between clients and therapists, based on comfort/safety and availability.
When is the Center expected to open back up and what are some of the processes?
Now that the Center is reopening again, what kind of opportunities are available for those in the community who would like to get involved?
What will be the mitigation efforts to reopen the Center back safely?
Are masks required at the Center?
What kind of sanitation procedures will be implemented to prevent the spread of the COVID-19?
If rates of COVID continue to rise in DC will the Center remain open?
In honor of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and Black History month, join us for our special programing highlighting the strengths and weaknesses in the black community and how we move forward – together – stronger . will be a having a candid talk about how HIV and Stigma affects the black community , paneled by local and national activist from around the United States. One of our panelist is Shawnte Spriggs, Shawnte Spriggs is a phenomenal speaker, writer and advocate who continues to do phenomenal work in the Black community for individuals living with HIV. From facilitating support groups and attending grant meetings to the birth of her prolific book, Undetected: More Than A Status, Shawnte has continued to battle HIV stigma towards advancement of the Black community. Below is a quick synapsis of her book. For individuals who join our programming, we will be offering free copies of her inspirational book.
Summary:
Undetected is a quick and easy read to help better understand the emotional challenges and outcomes a person living with HIV can undergo during their journey to overall wellness. This book is designed for individuals diagnosed with HIV, their Friends and Family and anyone servicing people living with HIV. This book will: (1) Show you common emotions and mindsets associated with this diagnosis; (2) Review the effects of past and unresolved Trauma; (3)Share various ways support can possibly look for a person living with HIV; (4) Provide practical and healthy tips to render positive and productive results.
Purchase a Copy
If you are facing a life threatening situation or seeking immediate care:
DC Mobile Crisis: 202-673-9300
DC Shelter Hotline: 202.399.7093 or 311
Maryland Mobile Crisis: 240-777-4000
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
LGBTQ under 25: Trevor Lifeline: 866-488-7386
LGBTQ National Help Center (all ages – various lines/hours): 888-843-4564 www.glbthotline.org
Taking guidance and recommendations about social distancing from the DC government and the CDC, effective Monday, March 16th, The DC Center for the LGBT Community’s office will be closed. Staff are still working remotely, and will be checking emails and voicemails multiple times each day. Please reach out to supportdesk@thedccenter.org to connect with the DC Center, as we are still able to provide services and support.
If you are interested in attending support groups remotely, please reach out to your facilitator or supportdesk@thedccenter.org and we can provide options for remote meetings using conference lines.
The situation is changing rapidly, please refer to the CDC’s website and coronavirus.dc.gov for up-to-date information on what you can do to help prevent and slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The DC Center team will be meeting regularly to assess the situation and rest assured that we will open as soon as it is safe to do so, as we know that many of our clients and participants are vulnerable and will need support. If you are able, please consider donating and supporting organizations that provide food, medicine, and other support to marginalized populations.
If you are facing a life threatening situation or seeking immediate care:
DC Mobile Crisis: 202-673-9300
DC Shelter Hotline: 202.399.7093 or 311
Maryland Mobile Crisis: 240-777-4000
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
LGBTQ under 25: Trevor Lifeline: 866-488-7386
LGBTQ National Help Center (all ages – various lines/hours): 888-843-4564 www.glbthotline.org
*** Hello friends,
In order to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus, the DC Center is closed effective Monday, March 16th. To protect the health and safety of everyone we have decided to postpone our health and wellness festival, we will no longer have the event on March 28th , a new date will be decided in the future. Please consider how you can help delay the spread of coronavirus by consulting sites such as https://coronavirus.dc.gov/ for more information. ***
Due to unfortunate circumstances, we have been forced to reschedule our Wellness Expo. Join us on Saturday, March 28th for our first-ever DC LGBTQ Health and Wellness Expo.
Please click here for the updated event information, and if you have previously registered there’s no need to re-register. Thank you for your patience. If you have any questions please email supportdesk@thedccenter.org.
Community Family Life Services will be hosting Informational Sessions for the CFLS Speakers Bureau on September 11th and September 14th. The Speakers Bureau is a paid public speaking training and professional development opportunity for women who have survived domestic violence, human trafficking, homelessness, and incarceration.
This Informational Session is an opportunity for potential applicants and members of the community to learn more about the program, hear from current members of the program, receive tips on how to strengthen your application, and ask questions. This event is open to all applicants and members of the community who are interested in learning more about the CFLS Speakers Bureau.
Please RSVP to attend:
Wednesday, September 11th at 11am: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Wednesday, September 11th at 6 pm: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Saturday, September 14th at 11 am: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Please reach out to Miracle Smith with questions: (202) 750 6024 ext. 4001; mgsmith@cflsdc.org.
Transgender Activist and Executive Director of Empowering the Transgender Community Earline Budd released the following statement in response to recent deaths believed to be related to drug overdose in the DC LGBTQ Community.
In December 2018 I sent out a “Call To Action” regarding the spike in K2 Synthetic Drug and heroin overdoses here in the District of Columbia. On June 27th a transgender woman whom I have known and worked with for over 15 years was found dead at 7th and H Street N.W. She was homeless and had her struggles, but did not deserve to go out like this. It was said to be a suspected overdose of some type of drug that she consumed.
In the last 90 days the LBGTQ community has had several deaths believed to be related to the synthetic drugs and heroin. This epidemic has hit home for the LBGTQ community again after the death of Diamond Colson a transgender woman age 31.
While city agencies including the police department, the Department of Human Services along with homeless shelters are said to be trying to curb this ongoing problem, it has resurfaced and again is claiming lives of those we love and work with.
Even with the creation of the city “Emergency Alert” flier with information about K2/heroin and drug addiction resources that officers and homeless advocates are now passing out, we must come together to discuss what more can be done. One life is too many, and there must also be consequences for those who are mixing up these deadly drugs killing people. While there is a
lot of funding for Opcode Overdose Prevention, there must be more done for those who are within the LBGTQ community which is a very silent conversation. “Call to Action” is now and we can’t sit by and just watch people die off. While it is not you today experiencing the loss of someone, it can be you tomorrow.
Resources
LGBTQ Specific Recovery Information
Using SAMSHA’s behavioral health treatment locator : You can search for facilities by entering your zip code, clicking the substance abuse (SA) checkbox, then checking “lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) clients.”
You also can search for AA meetings to attend and discuss with recovered LGBT people in your area: http://www.gayandsober.org/meetings
