Gay, bi, trans, two-spirit, queer men, and gender diverse sexual health in focus
Improving the sexual health and wellbeing for communities of gay, bi, trans, two-spirit, queer men, and gender diverse people is on the agenda in the Thompson and Okanagan during the months ahead.
B.C.-based non-profit, Health Initiative for Men is connecting GBT2Q communities across the region to a new provincewide health resource called More Than Sex. The pop up events called PRICK! Was in Vernon on July 5 and will return Aug 16.
PRICK! is a private and confidential STI testing opportunity for gay, bi and trans men, Two-Spirit and queer people. A HIM staff member will book interested parties with an appointment with an Interior Health Nurse who is able to provide tests for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, hepatitis (A,B & C), HIV and syphilis. Nurses can also provide education, resources, and referrals for other related health concerns, such as other STIs and vaccinations, PrEP and mental health.
“Health Initiative for Men is committed to strengthening diversity and inclusion within its own organization and across the province of British Columbia,” Greg Oudman, Executive Director of Health Initiative for Men said.
“In 2018, after extensive consultation with the communities we engage with, we adopted an ambitious five-year plan that is guiding all of our work.”
More Than Sex is a platform of this work because its development relies on the lived experiences of trans, non-binary and Two-Spirit communities.
“More Than Sex successfully helps us to understand many aspects of the queer world we live in, through the lens of gender diverse queer people,” he said.
“This perspective has been largely missing in our work, and is part of our responsibility to ensure that the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice play a central role in how we reflect ourselves and serve these communities.”
Those who choose to go can use their given name, fake name, or initials – the focus is to create more testing options for people in the community. Call 236-688-4153 to book an appointment.
This is a public clinic, there may be other people sharing the waiting room with you.
This group is open to self-identified men (trans, cis, and other men), two-spirit and non-binary folks who also identify as gay, bi, queer, asexual, and/or as guys who are into/or have sex with guys (for any reason – including for work).
PRICK! Vernon
Date: July 16
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Cost: free or by donation
Event Categories: Interior BC, Sexual Health
VENUE
Vernon Downtown MHSU
3306A 32nd Ave
Vernon, V1T 2M6
https://checkhimout.ca/event/prick-vernon-2020-12-08/all/
PRICK! Kelowna
Date: July 14
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Event Categories: Interior BC, Sexual Health
VENUE
Rutland Aurora Health Centre
285 Aurora Crescent
Kelowna
https://checkhimout.ca/event/prick-kelowna/2021-07-14/
PRICK! Penticton
Dates: July 15 & Aug 19
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Cost: free or by donation
Event Categories: Interior BC, Sexual Health
VENUE
Foundry Penticton
101-501 Main St.
Penticton
https://checkhimout.ca/event/prick-penticton-2021-02-18/all/
PRICK! Kamloops
Dates: July 28
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Event Categories: Interior BC, Sexual Health
VENUE
Kamloops Public Health Unit
519 Columbia St
Kamloops, V2C 2T8
https://checkhimout.ca/event/prick-kamloops/2021-07-28/
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