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General
What is the LGBT Life Center?
LGBT Life Center (formerly ACCESS AIDS Care/The LGBT Center of Hampton Roads) provides programs and services to individuals and families impacted by HIV/AIDS in Hampton Roads. Our services include medical case management, housing, meals, transportation, outreach, prevention, education, and free HIV/STI testing. LGBT Life Center provides a safe space, services, resources, education, and support to the LGBTQ community in Hampton Roads.
What are your hours and where are you located?
The LGBT Life Center is open…
Monday: 8:30am–5pm
Tuesday: 8:30am–8pm
Wednesday: 8:30am– 5pm
Thursday: 8:30am–8pm (after 5pm, HIV/STD testing is at Monticello office only)
Friday: 8:30am–5pm
For an HIV/STD test, please arrive at least 30 minutes before closing.
We currently have three locations in Norfolk serving the Hampton Roads community, with a fourth location being relocated in the Hampton/Newport News area. For location addresses and directions, please see the map and information at the bottom of this page.
What services does the LGBT Life Center provide?
Regardless of your HIV status, LGBT Life Center wants you to thrive by staying healthy, connected, and productive in all aspects of your life. We offer programming and resources including:
- Fast, free, and private HIV, STD/STI testing, and counseling
- HIV and STD/STI education
- Mental health counseling provided on a payment scale
- Support groups that empower and educate
- Social and networking activities provided in a safe space
- A lending library and education opportunities
- Transportation to and from medical appointments
- Health care navigation
- Permanent housing
Do I have to be LGBT to receive services?
You do not need to be a member of the LGBTQ community to receive our services. We provide excellent care and programming open to everyone in Hampton Roads.
Do you offer trainings on LGBTQ issues?
Yes! We’re always happy to talk about the work we do, the services we provide, and about issues that face the LGBTQ community. Please contact us to talk about your specific training needs and we can tailor training to you.
Are there any community events where I can meet other people like me?
From support groups to community events, there’s always something happening at the LGBT Life Center! To see what we’re up to, visit our events page.
Health
What do you test for?
We provide rapid HIV and syphilis testing, as well as testing for hepatitis C, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. For details, including testing locations and hours, see our testing page.
Where can I get tested and what are the hours?
You can get tested at any of our locations Monday through Friday. For hours, location addresses, and directions, see the Testing page for additional information.
How is HIV passed from one person to another?
People get HIV from coming in contact with infected body fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk. Most of the time, individuals are infected with HIV through unprotected sex, injection drug use, or mother-to-child transmission. HIV is not passed through casual contact, such as shaking hands or through saliva.