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LGBT Life Center

Empowering the LGBTQ and HIV communities since 1989.

Call Us

(757) 640-0929

Email Us

info@lgbtlifecenter.org
Home / Archives for LGBTQ

LGBTQ

How often should you get an STI and HIV test?

May 24, 2023 by Corey Mohr Leave a Comment

Testing can feel scary, but we promise it’s as routine to your health as brushing your teeth.

Most people that get tested receive a negative result. If a test result does come back positive, we have the resources and treatment options to get you back to optimal health (and get you back to having fun 😉).


Who should get tested?

Everyone. At least once in your life (even for those that are not sexually active).

Activity levelThe 411Recommended testing frequency
Sexually active

(multiple partners over 12 weeks)

First of all, good for you. Sounds like you’re out there having healthy, consensual fun. We love that.

To keep you, your partners, and our community at peak health, we recommend getting tested every 12 weeks or sooner if you have signs or symptoms.
Every 12 weeks
Somewhat active

(1 – 2 partners every 6 months)

Again, good for you. Looks like it takes a special connection for you to indulge, and that’s a great way to avoid STIs, but there’s still some risk here.

Let’s get you tested a couple times a year.
Every 6 months
Monogamous or mostly inactive

(1 partner a year)

Committing to someone(s) is a wonderful thing, and it’s the lowest risk while maintaining a sexually active lifestyle. We hope you and your partner, or pod, are enjoying the heck out of this low-risk pleasure. While we are certain you and your partner(s) are playing by the rules you’ve all agreed to, it’s best practice to check once a year.

Let’s keep you and yours safe and healthy.
Once a year

No encounters / activity

(0 partners)
Sex is not for everyone, and we all go through periods of choosing to focus on ourselves, be abstinent, or are asexual.

When it comes to STIs and HIV, this is zero-risk, and there’s no need to get tested.
No need

Remember, testing is free, private, and nonjudgmental, so there’s no reason to lie to yourself (or us) about how sexually active you are. Be honest with yourself and take care of your health, your partner(s) health, and our community by knowing your STI and HIV status.


What if I test positive for an STI?

This happens and comes with the territory of sexual relationships. LGBT Life Center staff will inform you immediately if it’s a rapid test or inform you once your results come in if it’s a lab test (lab tests take around 5 days to get results). In either case, we’ll link you to treatment immediately so that you can get back to peak health and back to the fun.

What if I test positive for HIV?

Firstly, we’re going to explain what an HIV-positive test means (and perform a follow-up test to confirm the result). It also means getting you on HIV treatment right away.

Our staff understand that a positive result can leave you feeling scared and overwhelmed. That’s why we will be with you every step of the way, reminding you that individuals with HIV live long, healthy lives. We’ll walk you through treatment options, counseling if you’d like it, and social and support groups you can join. It’s important to know that an HIV diagnosis is like any other chronic health condition. Just like heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions, HIV can be fully managed with medication, self-love, and support. In fact, today’s HIV treatment is so good, it can get most people to “undetectable,” which means there is so little of the virus in your system that it cannot be passed on, even through condomless sex. It also means getting you to the healthiest you.

We’re here to help with all of that and get you back to doing all the things you love.

Want to chat with someone about testing services? Contact us here.


Connect with us!

Tiktok.com/@lgbtlifecenter
Facebook.com/LGBTLifeCenter
Instagram.com/LGBTLifeCenter

Sign up for our monthly newsletter by clicking here.

Filed Under: Health FAQs, HIV / AIDS FAQs Tagged With: LGBTQ, Testing

LGBT Life Center’s May Volunteer Orientation

May 17, 2023 by Corey Mohr Leave a Comment

Greetings to any volunteers interested in engaging with the LGBT Life Center! As a mandatory part of our volunteer program, all Life Center volunteers are required to attend and complete volunteer orientation before they are approved to sign up for any volunteer shifts.

Orientation will consist of training on how to utilize Timecounts, expectations of our volunteers and the volunteer program, as well as reviewing and signing necessary documentation. Please arrive no later than the orientation start time to prevent delays for any other volunteers.

**Any volunteer who arrives at orientation later than 15 minutes past the start time will not be turned away, however, they will be required to attend the next orientation prior to being approved to sign up for any volunteer shifts.

Sign up on TimeCounts >>

Tagged With: LGBTQ, Volunteers

LGBTQ+ Youth Group in VA Beach [IN-PERSON]

May 9, 2023 by LGBT Life Center

YOU is a meeting for youth (Ages 12-18) who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. This is an affirming space that is just for YOU. Come as YOU are, because we love YOU!

This group meets in-person on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays from 6:30-9 PM in Virginia Beach. If you are interested in attending future meetings, please complete the interest form located at the bottom of this webpage! For more information on these meetings, you may also contact Nicole Pixler (she/her) at NicoleP@standupforkids.org.

 

These meetings are co-facilitated by LGBT Life Center staff and are a part of our Youth Programming.

For more information on youth programming and services at our Center, please contact us at community@lgbtlifecenter.org and our staff will respond to your questions as soon as we are able!

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Tagged With: LGBTQ, support, youth

Quinci is here to help you identify and recover from intimate partner violence

April 26, 2023 by LGBT Life Center Leave a Comment

Name/Nickname: Quinci
Pronouns: 
She/her
Job title:
 Intimate Partner Violence Counselor

Where’d you come from, and what’d you do there? I moved here from Ann Arbor Michigan, but I am originally from Virginia Beach, VA!

I’m here to help you with… healing from a violent relationship or helping to identify intimate partner violence if you’re unsure. I can also help with an exit plan, filling police reports, and accompanying you to court hearings for support.

How did you become interested in working at the LGBT Life Center? I wanted to work with communities most vulnerable to intimate partner violence. 

What’s an interesting thing about you that most people don’t know? I love to sew and build keyboards!

What excites you most about being at the LGBT Life Center? I love how kind and fun all my coworkers are! 😊

Rapid Fire…what is your favorite…

• Animal: Foxes
• Color: Peach
• Song/Music: Recently, I’ve been obsessed with OMG by NewJeans
• TV Show/Movie: Bee and Puppycat
• Hobby: Reading

Learn more about our intimate partner violence support program here.
Sign up for our online intimate partner violence support group by emailing Quinci Rockette.

Contact Quinci:
qrockette@lgbtlifecenter.org
757-640-0929, ext. 670

Connect with us!

Twitter.com/LGBTLifeCenter
Facebook.com/LGBTLifeCenter
Instagram.com/LGBTLifeCenter

Sign up for our monthly newsletter by clicking here.

Filed Under: Center News Tagged With: IPV, LGBTQ, New Staff

Dining Out For Life

April 13, 2023 by Tyler Neal Leave a Comment

Dining Out For Life (DOFL) is an annual fundraising event for LGBT Life Center involving the generous participation of volunteers, corporate sponsors, diners, and restaurants.
Restaurants commit to donating a portion of a diner’s bill in support of our programs and services at LGBT Life Center.
Participating is as easy as…
1.
Make plans to dine out for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or any meal on April 27, 2023!
2.
Invite everyone you know to do the same! Reservations are highly encouraged.
3.
Spread the word via email, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram—everywhere!
See the list of participating restaurants at diningoutforlife.com/city/757.
Are you a restaurant that wants to participate? https://lgbtlifecenter.org/events/dofl-restaurant/
Would you like to volunteer for the event? https://lgbtlifecenter.org/help/doflvolunteer/
Questions? DOFLHR@lgbtlifecenter.org.

Tagged With: Hampton Roads, HIV, LGBTQ

Community Wellness Day: Health Screenings, Food, Housing Assistance, Testing & More!

April 13, 2023 by Tyler Neal Leave a Comment

At community day, you can get:
Mobile Mammography*
*Insurance Card and ID required
*Eligibility requirements for uninsured
FREE:
– Covid-19 booster
– Flu shots
– Physical Therapy Patient Education
– Food assistance / meals-to-go
– Free HIV & STI testing
Help determining eligibility for :
– Counseling services
– Housing & utility assistance
– HIV treatment options
– PrEP services
– Medicaid enrollment
– And other health and wellness benefits
– Other resources & education
Community Day will provide frozen meals and USDA food assistance (eligibility require for USDA program) to individuals experiencing food insecurity, those that live in “food desert” areas, or anyone who requires extra food resources.
*Please note that food is first come, first served.
Community Day will be held at our 5630 Robin Hood Road, Norfolk office. Plenty of free parking!
Staff will be available to talk about housing resources, provide private, free HIV/STI testing, and other education and services.

Tagged With: Events, LGBTQ

Hampton Roads Transgender Day of Visibility

March 3, 2023 by Tyler Neal Leave a Comment

Attention All “Naturally Occurring Sweet Things!”
JOIN US FOR NATIONAL
Trans* Day of Visibility
A day of food, fun, and connection!
Hosted by Southeastern Transgender Resource Center
In partnership with LGBT Life Center and Transgender Assistance Program of Virginia
This community gathering will include :
– Food
– Raffles and prizes
– Music by DJ Q!
– Free HIV & STI testing
– Drinks
– and more!

Tagged With: LGBTQ, transgender

RISE Men’s Retreat || Conversation and Understanding

February 28, 2023 by Tyler Neal Leave a Comment

At RISE, we enjoy a full day of conversation about homophobia, self-understanding, and we work to improve our sense of it means to be a gay or bi man.
This has been listed as one of the most FUN and impactful events at LGBT Life Center! DON’T MISS OUT!
**Please note, attendees must stay for the entire session**
Light breakfast and Lunch and materials are provided. Plus, you’ll receive a $25 gift card after!
Please RSVP online: www.lgbtlifecenter.org/rise-mens-retreat.
*This is for first-time RISE attendees only, please.
For more information, please contact program coordinator Ricky Stith at 757-640-0929.
RISE stands for Rewriting Inner Scripts. RISE is a retreat for same-gender-loving men of any age.
The half-day retreat focuses on re-writing the inner scripts of internalized homophobia and oppression that are pervasive among men who have sex with men and in our culture.

Tagged With: group, LGBTQ, Support Group

RISE Men’s Retreat || Conversation and Understanding

February 28, 2023 by Tyler Neal Leave a Comment

At RISE, we enjoy a full day of conversation about homophobia, self-understanding, and we work to improve our sense of it means to be a gay or bi man.
This has been listed as one of the most FUN and impactful events at LGBT Life Center! DON’T MISS OUT!
**Please note, attendees must stay for the entire session**
Light breakfast and Lunch and materials are provided. Plus, you’ll receive a $25 gift card after!
Please RSVP online: www.lgbtlifecenter.org/rise-mens-retreat.
*This is for first-time RISE attendees only, please.
For more information, please contact program coordinator Ricky Stith at 757-640-0929.
RISE stands for Rewriting Inner Scripts. RISE is a retreat for same-gender-loving men of any age.
The half-day retreat focuses on re-writing the inner scripts of internalized homophobia and oppression that are pervasive among men who have sex with men and in our culture.

Tagged With: group, LGBTQ, Support Group

RISE Men’s Retreat || Conversation and Understanding

February 28, 2023 by Tyler Neal Leave a Comment

At RISE, we enjoy a full day of conversation about homophobia, self-understanding, and we work to improve our sense of it means to be a gay or bi man.
This has been listed as one of the most FUN and impactful events at LGBT Life Center! DON’T MISS OUT!
**Please note, attendees must stay for the entire session**
Light breakfast and Lunch and materials are provided. Plus, you’ll receive a $25 gift card after!
Please RSVP online: www.lgbtlifecenter.org/rise-mens-retreat.
*This is for first-time RISE attendees only, please.
For more information, please contact program coordinator Ricky Stith at 757-640-0929.
RISE stands for Rewriting Inner Scripts. RISE is a retreat for same-gender-loving men of any age.
The half-day retreat focuses on re-writing the inner scripts of internalized homophobia and oppression that are pervasive among men who have sex with men and in our culture.

Tagged With: group, LGBTQ, Support Group

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Mailing Address: LGBT Life Center, 222 W. 21st Street, F308, Norfolk, VA 23517
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