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Tag: LGBTQ+

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Gender-affirming care has been a topic within mainstream media for the past several years. While some people think of surgical interventions during these discussions, health care providers and organizations classify a range of treatments as part of a gender-affirming care routine. Research shows that transgender and nonbinary individuals who receive gender-affirming care experience greater health outcomes such as decreased levels of depression, anxiety and suicidality. Dr. Arjee Javellana Restar’s paper Gender-affirming care is preventative care, examines the relationship between mental health and access to gender-affirming care. “While there are established treatments available outside of GAC, preventing negative mental health outcomes before they occur requires widening the tools of prevention, and calling in medical, insurer, and policy communities to value GAC in improving mental health for trans people.” (Restar, 2023, pg. 2) In order to address the mental health outcomes of trans and nonbinary individuals, it is important that barriers to gender-affirming treatment options are eliminated and the patient’s autonomy is prioritized. 

Gender-affirming care are treatment options that aim to affirm a person’s gender identity. Treatments may include speech therapy, hormone therapy, or surgical interventions. Gender-affirming care options are frequently discussed and created by patients, healthcare providers and if the patient is a minor, parental or legal guardians are also present. The Association of American Medical Colleges states that “For children in particular, the time of the interventions is based on several factors, including cognitive and physical development as well as parental consent. Surgery…is rarely provided to people under 18.” (Boyle, 2022) 

Research shows that transgender and nonbinary people who receive gender-affirming care often experience improved mental health outcomes than those who do not receive treatment. Dr. Restar writes “Addressing mental health problems among trans people necessitates explicit programmatic and investment goals that allow the equitable provision of not just treatment, but instead, an array of both preventative and treatment tools…” (Restar, 2023, pg. 1) Both Dr. Restar and the Association of American Medical Colleges note that people who receive gender-affirming care experience lower rates of negative mental health outcomes. (Restar, 2023; Boyle, 2022) “GAC is linked to improved quality of life and mental health among trans people…To date, no studies have reported findings that suggest GAC increases negative mental health outcomes.” (Restar, 2023, pg. 1)

There are social and structural barriers that prevent people from accessing the full range of gender-affirming care treatment options. Dr. Restar suggests that the healthcare profession should make changes to the existing structures to allow for more equitable access to care.  “Over the years, the benefits of GAC has become apparent, yet beneficiaries remain exclusive, leaving many trans people to wait until eligible for treatment at the cost of worsened outcomes…To address the high prevalence of mental health problems, GAC must be synergized as part of combined preventative mental health care options and strategies.” (Restar, 2023, pg. 2) 

Building a gender diverse and gender-affirming environment is important because it “allows for frank discussions about the patient’s gender identity and related stress, sexual activity, and potential transition toward a different gender identity.” (Boyle, 2022) Himmelfarb Library’s Diversity and Disparities in Health Care special collection contains materials to help you learn more about transgender and gender diverse healthcare needs. Additionally, Dr. Restar’s article provides suggestions that may lead to healthcare structural changes and improve healthcare access for transgender and nonbinary individuals. 

References: 

Restar, A. J. (2023). Gender-affirming care is preventative care. Lancet Regional Health - Americas (Online), 24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lana.2023.100544

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Are you looking for some summer reading? Himmelfarb Library’s Humanities and Health Collection might have the right book for you! Literary accounts of illness can provide valuable insight to healthcare providers about the lives of sick people. Popular health sciences-related non-fiction titles can help those working in the health sciences understand how far the implications of their work can reach.

Himmelfarb’s Humanities and Health Collection is composed of fiction and popular non-fiction selections that offer a variety of perspectives on being a health provider and a patient. This collection is located in the “nook” to the right as you enter the library, past the service desks, near the first-floor restrooms. If you need a break from textbooks and journal articles, consider trying our Humanities and Health Collection! 

Here are some recently published books that are part of this great collection:

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Close up image of a rainbow Pride flag.
Photo by Cecilie Johnsen on Unsplash

Last week’s Ways to Celebrate This Year’s Pride Month post highlighted a variety of books, documentaries, local events, and volunteer opportunities available to celebrate Pride Month this year. In today’s post, we’ll focus on LGBTQ+ healthcare-focused resources available through Himmelfarb Library that can deepen your understanding of the LGBTQ+ community. 

Selected Books

This selection of LBGTQ+ focused books is available 

Selected Journals

  • Journal of Health Disparities Research & Practice: This journal explores the problems and challenges created by health disparities among diverse populations including the LBGTQ+ community.
  • Health Affairs: This journal covers a wide range of topics related to health care policy and managed care and often addresses LGBTQ+ related issues.
  • International Journal of Transgender Health: This journal covers gender dysphoria, medical and psychological treatment of transgender individuals, social and legal acceptance of hormonal and surgical sex reassignment, and transgenderism.
  • Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health: This multidisciplinary professional forum covers issues related to psychotherapy for gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals.
  • Journal of LGBT Youth: This journal contains information on current developments in educational policy, curriculum development, professional practice, and pedagogy involving gay and lesbian studies.
  • Journal of LBGT Issues in Counseling: This journal provides a professional forum for research, best practices, and emerging trends and issues related to counseling the LGBT community.

Streaming Videos

  • Born to Be: This documentary provides an intimate look at the work of Dr. Jess Ting (he/him) and the impact of gender-affirming care on patients and has transformed his own life.
  • Cured: This documentary explores the campaign that led to the removal of homosexuality from the American Psychiatric Association’s list of mental illnesses in 1973.

Are you interested in learning more about influential members of the LGBTQ+ community? Check out Himmelfarb’s profile of Dr. Rachel Levine, the first openly trans woman to be confirmed to a federal position by Congress. Or learn more about one of GW’s own in our profile of Dr. Lawrence “Bopper” Deyton, Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Public Health at GW’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS). Dr. Deyton played a crucial role in HIV/AIDS research during the early 1990s.

Are you interested in more general resources available at GW? GW’s LGBTQIA+ Resource Center provides comprehensive educational, support, and advocacy services including workshops, special events, and mentoring opportunities. GW Out for Health is a GW SMHS student-led organization that serves as an advocacy group and as a place to build relationships and a sense of community within the LGBTQ+ community within SMHS. Learn more about Out for Health by emailing gwofh@gwu.edu. You can also learn more by exploring the resources available on GW’s Gender and Sexuality Resources page.

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In the United States, June is designated as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in recognition of the 1969 Stonewall uprising in Greenwich Village. For many activists and historians, the 1969 uprising represented a turning point in LGTBQ+ history and activism. While LGTBQ+ people have more legal and social rights in the aftermath of Stonewall, organizations, communities and activists within the United States and around the world continue to push for protections that ensure LGBTQ+ people can live freely. 

Recently, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) released a ‘State of Emergency’ for LGBTQ+ people living in the United States. In their release the organization said “The sharp rise in anti-LGBTQ+ measures has spawned a dizzying patchwork of discriminatory state laws that have created increasingly hostile and dangerous environments for LGBTQ+ people…” (Human Rights Campaign, 2023)

Despite the rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, people embrace June as a month reserved for celebration and community. As journalist Erin Reed wrote, “We carry forward a potent legacy, one of not merely surviving but flourishing even in the margins where we’ve been relegated. We return, time and time again, stronger than ever before…The essence of queer joy is resistance in its own right, and the reverberations of the Stonewall resistance continue to echo in our celebrations today.” (Reed, 2023) 

There are many ways to celebrate Pride month! Whether it is reading a book centering LGBTQ+ narratives, attending a local Pride event or watching a documentary, the following list serves as a starting point for celebrating and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community this month and all year long!

A person holding a cut out of a rainbow colored heart
Photo credit: Photo by Pavel Danilyuk

Books:

Reading books written by LGBTQ+ authors or that feature LGBTQ+ characters is an excellent way to celebrate Pride and feel connected to the community. They are a plethora of books that span genres. If you’re not sure where to begin, consider turning to sources such as the Lambda Literary Awards or the Stonewall Book Awards lists that have recognized LGBTQ fiction and non-fiction for years. Or start with some of the following titles: 

For additional community building, consider organizing a book club with your peers. You can select one title to read together and hold a discussion. Or each member of the book club can commit to reading a different book that was written by an LGTBQ+ author and make their pitch as to why the other members should read it as well! 

Documentaries:

Watching documentaries is another way to celebrate Pride this year! Similar to the book club suggestion, you can hold a documentary watch party and discussion to share any insights you have after viewing the film. Some titles that may be worth watching include Paris is Burning  an intimate look at New York City’s drag and ballroom culture in the 1980s; A Secret Love a film about Terry Donahue, Pat Henschel and their decades long love story; Disclosure that explores the depiction of transgender people in cinema; or United in Anger: A History of ACT UP which looks at the rise of the AIDS activist movement.

For additional recommendations on LGBTQ+ documentaries, please see Advocate’s 32 LGBTQ+ Documentaries to Watch for LGBTQ+ History Month, Collider’s Queer History is Pride: 11 of the Best LGBTQ Documentaries or Rotten Tomatoes’ 40 Essential LGBTQ+ Documentaries. 

Local Events:

Washington D.C. and the surrounding area is home to an active and vibrant LGBTQ+ community. Each June the city is nearly bursting with activities to meet new people, learn about the history of Pride or celebrate with your friends. The most popular event is the annual Capital Pride parade and festival which took place this past weekend. But there are still numerous opportunities to celebrate Pride in the area. 

On June 14, As You Are will hold its inaugural Queer Open Mic Night where writers, musicians, comedians and others can share their work! Want to shop for books and meet local readers? Then purchase a ticket for Little District Books’ June 22 Pride Party. The National Portrait Gallery will host an online conversation titled ‘Sexuality and the Harlem Renaissance’ on June 20. Near the end of June, The DC Mayor’s Office will present this year’s District of Pride Showcase at Lincoln Theatre!

Looking for other Pride events in the area? Check out the Pride guides from DC Trans Events, Clock Out DC or Queer Talk DC!

Volunteer:

If you want to give to the LGBTQ+ community, there are local and national organizations in need of volunteers. The DC Center for the LGBT Community sponsors local volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Or become a volunteer for organizations like The Trevor Project, the Human Rights Campaign or PFLAG!

If you are interested in organizing an event at George Washington University, Himmelfarb Library’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is open to partnering with student, resident or faculty groups! Please contact the committee’s current chair, Rachel Brill at rgbrill@gwu.edu for more information! 

Whether you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an active ally, Pride month is a time to connect with our loved ones and celebrate strides gained through activism. It is also a month where we recognize the many contributions the community has made to our contemporary culture. No matter how you decide to celebrate Pride, what is most important is that we collectively work to build a world where people, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender or gender expression can live as their most authentic selves!

References: 

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Trans and gender diverse people often report encountering many barriers to care when seeking health care services. According to researchers, some of these barriers include trans and gender diverse people being uninsured/underinsured, patients having to teach their providers about transgender health, experiencing transphobic discrimination during healthcare visits, and a general lack of healthcare providers knowledgeable about transgender health (Safer et al., 2016; Warner & Mehta, 2021). Citing the 2015 United States Transgender Survey, Warner & Mehta write that “Among the conclusions provided, 33% of respondents seen by a healthcare provider within the year prior to completing the survey reported having at least one negative experience related to their gender identity” (Warner & Mehta, 2021, pg. 3359).

Providing a safe and nonjudgmental healthcare environment is necessary when interacting with any patient. Many trans and gender diverse people report that many of the solutions are relatively simple and will improve the quality of care for everyone. In an effort to continue the discussion on supporting the trans community, particularly in healthcare settings, this article will serve as a follow-up post to our recent article International Transgender Day of Visibility, and provides tips on how to interact with trans and gender diverse patients.

Tips:

  • Use a patient’s personal name and pronouns: A simple way to make trans and gender diverse patients comfortable is by using their personal name and pronouns. If you are unsure of how to refer to your patients, ask what their pronouns are and how they would like to be referred to. You can also offer your name and pronouns first and offer them the opportunity to share their information. In an article in Healthline, KB Brookins also suggests providers evaluate their intake forms and include information fields such as “Legal name for insurance, chosen name/nickname, sex assigned at birth (if necessary), sex listed on insurance, pronouns, gender identity, sexual orientation (if necessary)” (Brookins, 2022). Consider leaving open fields for people to write in their responses instead of checking off a set number of boxes. Using a person’s correct pronouns and name will build trust between patients and providers and this will encourage patients to return for future appointments. 
  • Do not ask personal questions not related to care: Trans and gender diverse people are subjected to frequent and invasive questioning about their bodies or any medical procedures they may have experienced. This form of questioning is deeply personal and can make trans and gender diverse people uncomfortable. Vermeir, Jackson & Marshall write “Many trans people encounter HCPs [healthcare providers] who ask inappropriate questions regarding their trans identity or bodies, or questions that are irrelevant to their care” (Vermeir, Jackson & Marshall, 2018, pg. 16). To avoid these uncomfortable situations, Vermeir et al. suggests that providers maintain professional boundaries and ask questions that are directly related to the reasons behind a patient’s current visit. “Participants recommended that HCPs remember that a patient’s purpose is not to satisfy one’s interest, and that even if a question is relevant to one’s care, it must be asked with sensitivity and appropriateness” (Vermeir, Jackson & Marshall, 2018, pg. 16). 
  • Learn more about the community from multiple perspectives: Understanding the transgender community allows providers to better understand their patients’ needs and provide a high standard of care. It may seem easy to ask your patients about the history and current state of the transgender community, but some trans and gender diverse people report that they feel burdened when placed in this position. There are organizations, novels, memoirs, historical accounts, and other resources that may serve as appropriate sources of information. Resources will be listed in the ‘Reference’ section. Here is a brief selection of titles:

These tips are just a starting point for treating transgender and gender diverse patients with respect and dignity. Vermeir, Jackson & Marshall also suggest that educational organizations broaden the scope of their curriculums to include transgender health and healthcare. The authors say “...we believe that there is also a need for education organizations and regulatory bodies to incorporate this topic into their curriculums and continuing education opportunities to promote HCPs’ cultural competence including an acknowledgment of the power differentials between HCPs and trans patients” (Vermeir, Jackson & Marshall, 2018, pg. 15). Ultimately, healthcare providers must listen to transgender and gender diverse patients and unlearn any biases they may have about the transgender community. By incorporating these and other tips into your practice, you will build trust with your trans and gender diverse patients making it easier to meet their healthcare needs.

References:

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The Transgender pride flag done in chalk on a gravel background
Photo credit: Photo by Katie Rainbow 🏳️‍🌈

LGBTQ+ news outlets and civil rights organizations are reporting that across the country local, state and federal legislatures are continuing to introduce legislation that targets the transgender community. The Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) President Kelley Robinson noted in an a recent interview that the organization is “currently tracking over 400 bills against our community” (Riedel, 2023, para. 9) and the HRC released a new report which found that “more than one-fifth of trans youth live in states that have passed bans on gender-affirming care for minors” (Factora, 2023, para. 1). For many transgender individuals, supportive family members, and friends and allies, the onslaught of anti-trans bills and legislation feels stifling and overwhelming. To honor this year’s International Transgender Day of Visibility, this article will offer resources and tools to help transgender people and allies in the fight for safe and affirming healthcare. 

Most legislation seeks to limit children’s and teen’s access to gender-affirming services, though some journalists note that certain states are now moving to limit trans adults’ access to care. Independent journalist and activist Erin Reed “is particularly concerned about a new type of gender-affirming care ban that includes trans adults….These new bills would, in effect, force trans adults to detransition by restricting the gender affirming care they may already have been accessing.” (Haug, 2023, para. 5)  

Them, an online LGBTQ+ news outlet, reported that “Bills targeting the rights of trans youth at school and in health care are also gaining ground…These include school-based bills, which often target trans students’ privacy around using their correct pronouns and names at school, as well as bills targeting pronoun use more generally” (Haug, 2023, para. 12). 

On a federal level, H.R.5 which was introduced in the House of Representatives earlier this year, would “require elementary and middle schools that receive federal funding to obtain parent consent before “changing a minor child’s gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form; or allowing a child to change the child’s sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathroom” (Mizelle & Wilson, 2023, para. 4). While this bill passed in the House of Representatives, it is not expected to be voted on in the Senate. 

Some states are moving to secure or expand the healthcare rights of transgender people. In Maryland, the legislature passed the Maryland Medical Assistance Program–Gender-Affirming Treatment also known as the Trans Health Equity Act and this is expected to be signed into law by Governor Wes Moore. This bill will go into effect on January 1, 2024, and many activists see the bill as one of the most positive pieces of legislation to date. The Trans Health Equity Act “would require Maryland Medicaid, beginning Jan. 1, 2024, to provide coverage for additional gender-affirming treatments…The expanded treatments include hormone therapy, hair alteration, voice therapy, physical alterations to the body, and fertility preservation” (Gaines & Sears, 2023, para. 9). Maryland’s bill could serve as a template for other states that seek to provide healthcare services to trans individuals. 

While many anti-trans bills fail to become laws, their existence impacts the mental health of transgender people. The Trevor Project, an LGBTQ+ youth advocacy organization, reported in January that “state-level anti-trans laws negatively affected the mental health of 86% of trans and nonbinary youth between ages 13 and 24” (Factora, 2023, para. 6). Researchers found that trans and gender-diverse youth who receive gender-affirming care experience “lower rates of adverse mental health outcomes, build [their] self-esteem, and improve [the] overall quality of [their] life…” (Department of Health and Human Services, n.d., pg. 1; Green et al. 2022). It is important to support the transgender community and work alongside activists and organizers as they seek to expand trans people’s access to gender-affirming healthcare. 

With any civil rights issue, it is vital to listen to activists, organizations and the people most impacted. Journalists and trans rights organizations are actively tracking new and upcoming bills that target their community and they often provide new, verified updates as soon as they’re made available. Organizations and individuals who are actively working to inform the public include:

  • Erin Reed is an activist, journalist, and content creator who shares updates on anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the United States and around the world. She seeks to “achieve gender justice for queer and marginalized people through education and understanding” (Reed, n.d., para. 1). Her content is available via Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, and her Substack newsletter. Her website also features an informed consent HRT (hormone replacement therapy) map and an anti-trans legislative risk map. Both of these resources are updated frequently. 
  • The Trans Formation Project is a grassroots organization “dedicated to tracking and educating about the anti-trans legislative crisis currently sweeping the United States” (Trans Formation Project, 2023, para. 1). The organization’s website features resources that educate people on the current landscape of legislation that impacts the lives of trans people. The organization tracks local, state and federal legislation and also has a ‘Legislator Scorecard’ for people interested in learning about their representatives’ stances on trans rights and the trans community. 
  • The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is another organization that seeks to support the LGBTQ+ community and strives to build an inclusive environment within the United States and around the world. The organization also actively tracks current legislation. The HRC provides resources to educate people on LGBTQ+ issues and the community. Their ‘Myths and Facts: Battling Disinformation About Transgender Rights’ and ‘Transgender and Non-Binary People FAQ’ are examples of some of the resources that affirm the lived experiences of trans and gender-diverse individuals. 

Himmelfarb Library’s collection contains resources that discuss trans healthcare. Some of the titles include:

Our Diversity and Disparities in Health Care collection features over a hundred items and is an invaluable resource for users who wish to learn more about trans healthcare and how to interact with their trans and gender-diverse patients. 

The amount of new discriminatory legislation and harmful rhetoric surrounding the trans and gender-diverse community is overwhelming. If you are mentally or emotionally impacted by the continuation of anti-trans sentiments and laws, please seek mental health services, if possible. SMHS’s Mental Health Resources page can connect you with mental health resources that may be beneficial. GW’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides mental health counseling to GW students and the community.  

On this year’s International Transgender Day of Visibility, we recognize that the fight to protect and affirm transgender and gender-diverse people is still ongoing. In February 2023, Gabrielle Union-Wade and her husband Dwyane Wade gave an emotional and inspiring speech that called on people to continue to fight for trans rights. We would like to share their speech in an effort to remind people of the importance of this work:

References:

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Image of open book and Christmas decorations
Image by Ylanite Koppens on Pexels

While we’re currently scrambling to study for finals, wrap up projects, and prepare for celebrations, soon there will be time to relax and kick back with a good book. Most of Himmelfarb’s collections are not your typical leisure reading, but you will find exceptions in a few of our special collections. The Humanities and Health collection, located in the nook on the first floor, has a variety of popular fiction and nonfiction books with a tie in to health topics or health providers. All of these books check out for a three week period with two possible renewals.

Browsing this collection you’ll find some bestselling fiction titles, including Homeland Elegies, Ian McKewan’s Saturday, and The Tiger’s Wife. Familiar nonfiction includes Dopesick, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and Guns, Germs and Steel. You’ll also find many books about the experience of being a healthcare provider. Below are some other recommended selections from the collection.

All Boys Aren’t Blue: a memoir manifesto by George Johnson, 2020: A collection of essays by an LGBTQIA activist, recounting what it was like to grow up as a Black queer young man. It addresses gender identity, bullying, toxic masculinity and consent and has been a frequent target of recent book banning efforts.

Consumptive Chic: a history of beauty, fashion and disease, by Carolyn A. Day, 2017: In the early 19th century it became trendy to have tuberculosis, or at least look like it. An emaciated body and flushed complexion was the height of fashion. The book examines how fashion practices of the time may have made women more susceptible to the disease and recounts the history of the tuberculosis epidemic in Europe which caused 25% of deaths at its peak.

In Shock: my journey from death to recovery and the redemptive power of hope by Rana Awdish, 2017: Awdish is a critical care physician who found the tables turned on her when a severe hemorrhage caused her to lose her baby and put her close to death. After multiple hospitalizations, Awdish recognized how current medical practice puts physicians at an emotional distance from their patients and makes recommendations for taking down the barriers.

The Jump Artist by Austin Ratner, 2009: Philippe Halsman became famous for his photos of celebrities leaping into the air and collaborations with Salvador Dali. This book focuses on his conviction and imprisonment for the murder of his father in 1920’s Austria where anti-Semitism was on the rise. Halsman was pardoned after leading Jewish intellectuals of the time lobbied for his release.  

My Own Country by Abraham Verghese, 1994: Best known for Cutting for Stone, this memoir is about Verghese’s experience as a young infectious disease specialist working in a small Appalachian town in Tennessee at the beginning of the AIDS crisis. Verghese relates the prejudice he encounters, as well as the care and compassion, in meeting the clinical and emotional needs of his patients. 

Patient H.M.: a story of memory, madness and family secrets by Luke Dittrich, 2016: The victim of a botched lobotomy, Patient H.M. lost the ability to form long term memory. He became the most studied neuroscience patient, teaching scientists much of what is known about memory today. The book was written by the grandson of H.M.’s surgeon, who confronts his family history and the ethics of early neurosurgical procedures. Winner of the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award.

Ship Fever and other stories by Andrea Barret, 1996: Winner of the National Book Award, the volume includes a novella and several short stories involving science and medicine set in past and present. Mendel and Linnaeus are subjects, as well as relationships between scientists in the field. 

The Strange Case of the Broad Street Pump by Sandra Hempell, 2007: In 1830’s London a doctor uses unconventional methods to trace the spread of a cholera epidemic and make the connection to drinking water. The book which reads like a mystery includes details of life in Victorian England and the emergence of public health practices.

Is there a title on your leisure reading list that isn’t in our collection? You can check to see if it’s available from another academic library in DC and request a consortium loan. To search consortium library collections, use the Articles + GW & Consortium Catalog scope in Health Information @ Himmelfarb as shown below.

Screenshot of library catalog search box with scope selections menu

If another library has it, sign in to use the Consortium Loan Service request form to request borrowing and delivery to Himmelfarb Library. This quick tutorial video shows you how to make a request.

You can also check our Take a Book, Leave a Book Shelf (our free little library) for popular non-health sciences related books.

We wish all of our patrons a safe and relaxing winter break!

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Picture of four diverse friends walking and talking. Text: June 27: National HIV Testing Day. Let's Stop HIV Together (TM).
Image downloaded from https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/awareness/testingday.html

June 27th is National HIV Testing Day! First observed in 1997, this is a day intended to encourage people to get tested for HIV. This year's theme is “HIV Testing is Self-care.” Many of us have become more aware of the importance of self-care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and continue to focus on self-care as we navigate our current daily lives. But self-care is more than just enjoying some quiet time with a good book, going for a walk in nature, or taking a relaxing bath to unwind after a stressful day. Self-care is also about taking care of all aspects of your health. By getting tested for HIV, you are taking the first step towards knowing your HIV status and learning more about HIV prevention or pursuing treatment. 

HIV, the virus that can cause AIDS if left untreated, can only be detected and diagnosed through testing. It’s recommended that everyone between the ages of 15 and 65 years old gets tested for HIV at least once. Pregnant people should also be tested as proper diagnosis and treatment can not only improve the health of the pregnant person but can also reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to the infant during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Individuals who are at a higher risk of contracting HIV (individuals who share needles or have sex without a condom) should consider being tested frequently. 

HIV tests detect antibodies to HIV. Antibodies typically appear within 3-12 weeks after an individual is infected with HIV (Fauci, Folkers, & Lane, 2022). The most commonly used HIV tests are enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests, also known as EIA or ELISA tests (Adams & Woelk, 2014). ELISA tests are more than 99.9% accurate and are available as saliva tests (Adams & Woelk, 2014). Nucleic Acid Tests (NAT) look for the HIV virus in the blood and can detect HIV sooner than other types of tests (CDC, 2022). While many self-tests and rapid antibody tests can provide results within 20-30 minutes, NAT or antigen/antibody lab tests can take a few days to receive results (CDC, 2022). 

Getting tested is as easy as going to your doctor’s office. Physicians and health care providers should consider including conversations about HIV testing with patients as part of providing regular routine care. 

Clinicians Chat: HIV Screening: Making it Part of the Routine (https://youtu.be/JBM7d-ONlgY)

Finding a testing site is easy with the HIV Testing Sites and Care Services Locator.

You can also check out local testing options through DC Health, the Maryland Department of Health, or the Virginia Department of Health websites.

To learn more about HIV and HIV testing, check out these additional resources:

There’s no better way to celebrate National HIV Testing Day this June 27th than to take or schedule your HIV test!

References:

Adams L.V., & Woelk G.B. (2014). Chapter 10. tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Markle W.H., & Fisher M.A., & Smego R.A., Jr.(Eds.), Understanding Global Health, 2e. McGraw Hill. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=710&sectionid=46796911

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Types of HIV Tests. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/hiv-testing/test-types.html

Fauci A.S., & Folkers G.K., & Lane H (2022). Human immunodeficiency virus disease: aids and related disorders. Loscalzo J, & Fauci A, & Kasper D, & Hauser S, & Longo D, & Jameson J(Eds.), Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 21e. McGraw Hill. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?bookid=3095&sectionid=265434013

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Photo by Markus Spiske

In the United States, June is designated as Pride Month where LGBTQIA+ individuals, families, organizations and their allies commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riots, recognize the struggle for marriage equality, bring awareness to discriminatory legislation and celebrate the range of gender identities and sexualities. Washington D.C. hosts a large Pride parade and festival every year and this year’s event, which occurred June 11th and 12th, was projected to have over half a million people in attendance. If you missed the parade and festival, there are still organizations, resources and events, including another local Pride festival, that will allow you to connect with members of D.C.’s LGBTQIA+ community. 

  • 2022 Arlington Pride Festival- June 25, 2022 marks the first year that Arlington, Virginia will host its own Pride celebration. The event will be held at Gateway Park in the Rosslyn neighborhood, which is metro-accessible. The festival starts at noon and will end at 7 pm. There will be performances, vendors, food and other entertainment and it is free to attend. Make the trip across the Potomac on the 25th and come celebrate this year’s Pride month! 
  • The DC Center- Located on 14th Street NW, the DC Center for the LGBT Community is a local community center who “educates, empowers, celebrates, and connects the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.” The DC Center hosts many social and community events including Reel Affirmations, an international LGBTQ film festival, and OutWrite, a literary festival. On June 23rd-26th, the DC Center will have the DC Pride Film Festival 2022. In-person film screenings will take place on the 23rd at 7pm and 9pm at the E Street Cinema and virtual screenings will begin on the 24th. The DC Center hosts other community building events and social and peer support groups to help people connect. Be sure to check out their website to learn more about their work! 
  • The Library of Congress- The Library of Congress has several resources to help you learn more about Pride celebrations and the LGBTQIA+ community. Their ‘History of Pride’ is an interactive webpage that goes into detail about the Stonewall Riots and how that historical event eventually became Pride Month. They also have several online resources and archives including the ‘LGBTQIA+ Studies: A Resource Guide’ and the ‘LGBTQ+ Studies Web Archive’ which “collects and preserves online content which documents LGBTQ+ history, scholarship, and culture in the United States and around the world.” If you’re interested in accessing primary and/or secondary sources related to the LGBTQIA+ community, be sure to explore the Library of Congress’ collections. 
  • Himmelfarb Library- Himmelfarb Library has an assortment of books, journals, articles, blog posts and other resources that focus on LGBTQ+ healthcare. Last year, we published several blog posts for Pride month including a profile of Dr. Rachel Levine, the first openly trans woman to be confirmed to a federal position by Congress, a 2021 Pride resources list that featured titles in our collection, such as the Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health and Transgender Mental Health,  and most recently we published a post on trans healthcare and how transphobic bias severely impacts trans patients. The staff at Himmelfarb Library are committed to providing resources that not only meet the needs of our patrons, but also encourage them to think critically about social and cultural issues that have an impact on healthcare. 

Washington D.C. and the surrounding Northern Virginia and Maryland area is home to a thriving LGBTQ+ community and there are other organizations that provide support for people. This list curated by Arlington County has additional organizations that were not featured in this blog post. And if you have an organization that you’d like to highlight, please leave their information in the comments section. May you all have a safe and joyous Pride! 

Three Black and disabled folx smile and hold mini flags. On the left, a non-binary person holds both a rainbow pride flag and a transgender pride flag, while a cane rests behind her. In the middle, a non-binary person waves the rainbow flag while in their power wheelchair. On the right, a femme waves both a rainbow and transgender pride flag. (via Disabled and Here image collection)

Photo Credit: Chona Kasinger. Part of the Disabled and Here image collection.

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Spring is here, so check out Healthy Living @ Himmelfarb's June Calendar to discover a variety of innovative and affordable activities.

Image by Maarten Van Den Heuvel on Unsplash website

Wednesday at the Wharf Concert
Date: Wednesdays: June 1 - August 31, 2022.
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: The District Wharf: 760 Maine Ave. SW.
Cost: Free

Summer never sounded better! The Transit Pier will have free concerts every Wednesday evening. With R&B, Americana, Motown, Jazz, Reggae, Go-go, Country , and your favorite pop covers, there is something for everyone. 

Adams Morgan Movie Nights 2022
Date: June 7 - June 21, 2022
Time: 8:00pm - 11:00pm
Location: Soccer field at Marie Reed School 
Cost: Free

Voted as one of the best outdoor movie series in DC by readers of the Washington City Paper, this year’s series focuses on “The Road Less Traveled,” showcasing movies that find our heroes on a quest. This year’s lineup: June 7: Queen of the Capital / June 14: Keanu / June 21: Encanto

GW Free Culinary Medicine Hands-on Cooking Classes via Zoom
Date: Tuesday Evenings June 14 - August 2, 2022
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Online via Zoom
Cost: Free, Registration required, based on availability.

In this 7-week Beginner course, you will learn to make healthy, delicious Mediterranea recipes. This course also covers knife skills, and basic nutrition concepts such as building a healthy meal, eating on a budget, meal planning, and how to use leftovers. Participants prepare different recipes each week and learn to make terrific, delicious food that’s also good for you! After the Beginner course, participants can take the next-level Intermediate course.

Capital Pride Festival
Date: Sunday, June 12, 2022. 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
          Exhibition hours 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: 3rd & Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Cost: Free

Join the LGBTQ+ community on America’s Mainstreet, historic Pennsylvania Avenue, for the return of the Capital Pride Festival. Enjoy a full day of entertainment on three stages, food, drink, and advocacy with over 300 exhibitors. The Festival is the largest annual event in the national capital region. Engage with over 300 service organizations, social groups, businesses, amateur sports leagues, faith-based groups, educational institutions, government agencies, artists, consultants, potential employers, etc.  

Find more information on all activities on Healthy Living @ Himmelfarb’s June calendar!

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