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HHS awards $48M to health centers to expand HIV prevention, treatment
On Sept. 16, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), awarded more than $48 million to 271 HRSA-supported health centers across 26 states, Puerto Rico and ...
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National groups kick off #BiWeek to celebrate bisexuality+ visibility
Sept. 16 marks the start of #BiWeek, an annual digital campaign to accelerate acceptance for the bisexual+ (bi, pansexual, fluid, queer, unlabeled, etc.) community, according to a joint press release from the organizations The Bisexual Resource ...
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COVID Southern Illinois reports it has zero ICU beds available
Amid a COVID-19 surge, Illinois' southern region reported Sept. 13-14 that it ran out of intensive care unit (ICU) beds—which has delayed surgeries and resulted in longer waits for appropriate care, The Chicago Tribune reported. In ...
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Howard Brown hosting Midwest LGBTQ Health Symposium on Sept. 29-30
Howard Brown Health will host its 2021 Midwest LGBTQ Health Symposium in a virtual format Sept. 29-30. The conference, presented by the Howard Brown Health Center for Education, Research and ...
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COVID Connecticut, D.C., removed from Chicago's travel advisory
On Sept. 14, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) took one state—Connecticut—and the District of Columbia off its weekly COVID-19 travel advisory. The advisory now includes 48 states and three territories, as daily COVID case ...
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Men Having Babies surrogacy conference on Oct. 9
The Men Having Babies 2021 Midwest Surrogacy Conference & Expo will take place Saturday, Oct. 9, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St. According to a press statement, more than 100 (vaccinated!) ...
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SAVOR Sunny Bowls
Looking for a comforting, healthful option for lunch? Then look no further than Sunny Bowls: Souper Food (theMart, #201.; https://sunnybowls.com/), which specializes in various soups? Part of the food court at theMART (which some also call ...
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COVID Chicago's travel advisory now includes all states outside Illinois
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), on Sept. 8, added one state—Vermont—to its weekly COVID-19 travel advisory. The advisory now includes every state and territory in the country, as COVID continues to surge across the ...
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New safety precautions announced for 30th annual AIDS Run & Walk Chicago Oct. 2
--From a press release
CHICAGO — AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) has announced proof of full vaccination or negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of event will be required for all in-person participants for the 30th annual AIDS Run & ...
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COVID Rev. Jackson's wife out of hospital
Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.'s wife, Jacqueline, was released from the hospital Sept. 3 after being treated for symptoms of COVID-19 along with the minister, NBC Chicago reported. "Our mother is leaving the Northwestern Memorial Hospital and ...
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Five Worth Finding: 'Swan Song,' mental-health event, Halloween items, artwork
Technically, there are six items here, but they're all highly recommended. —Swan Song: Throughout his long and storied career, German actor Udo Kier has taken on many roles—but probably none as indelible as former hairdresser Pat ...
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Chicago pro-choice activists outraged by SCOTUS' refusal to overturn Texas abortion ban
--From a multi-organization press release
Calling it a blow to women and all abortion rights supporters nationwide, coalition calls for reversal of the Texas Law SB8, and demands "No Abortion Bans Anywhere: Not Now; Not Ever! Defend Roe!" Several Chicago groups ...
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United Center to require COVID-19 vaccination or negative test to attend all events
--From a press release
The United Center will require all event attendees, including fans at Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks games, to present proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to gain access to the arena. The decision ...
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HIV AT 40: Global activist Phill Wilson talks Chicago, the '80s and vaccines
Phill Wilson is one of the best-known HIV/AIDS activists/educators around the globe. The Chicago native was the co-founder of the National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum and the National Task Force on AIDS Prevention. He ...
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Chicago now has 48 states in travel advisory
On Aug. 31, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) added five states — Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan and New Hampshire, as well as the District of Columbia and Guam—to its weekly COVID-19 travel advisory. Vermont ...
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Law banning abortions after six weeks is now set in Texas
Legislation banning abortions after about six weeks is now the law in Texas, effectively ending Roe v. Wade protections in the state, NPR reported. Late on Sept. 1, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to block the law. ...
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Steamworks' general manager defends vaccine requirement
The general manager of Northalsted gay sauna/bathhouse Steamworks recently defended the venue's policy that only fully vaccinated individuals can enter the space. Someone who self-identified "as a former customer" wrote a letter to management saying, ...
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GLAAD releases '2021 State of HIV Stigma' study
GLAAD recently released its second annual State of HIV Stigma Study, a national survey among U.S. adults with the sample supplied by research firm Cint. The survey, funded by Gilead COMPASS Initiative, measures U.S. attitudes toward ...
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NATIONAL Marsha P. Johnson, Utah, five-year study, Pride fests cancelled
In New York City, visitors to Christopher Park have been greeted by the bust of the late trans activist Marsha P. Johnson, ActionNewsNow.com reported. The bust was erected on what would have been Jonhson's 76th birthday—and ...
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Mental health of Black and Latinx LGBQ people worsened after the 2016 presidential election
--From a Williams Institute press release
A new study from the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law finds that the mental health of Black and Latinx LGBQ people declined in the 17 months following the 2016 presidential election of Donald ...
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Pritzker announces COVID-19 vaccine requirement for some workers, statewide indoor mask mandate
--From a press release
CHICAGO — As COVID-19 infection and hospitalization rates across the state continue to increase, particularly in downstate communities with the lowest vaccination rates, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and IDPH Director ...
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Chicago announces COVID-19 vaccination requirement for city employees
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today announced that, effective Oct. 15, the City of Chicago will require all city employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, joining many other major municipalities and government agencies in ...
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COVID Chicago adds four states to travel advisory
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) most recently added four states—Colorado, Maryland, Nebraska and South Dakota—to its weekly COVID-19 Travel Advisory. There are now 43 states and two territories ...
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COVID Rev. Jackson, wife hospitalized
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, 79, and wife, Jacqueline, 77, were admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital after testing positive for COVID-19, NBC Chicago reported. Anyone who has been around either person in the last five to six ...
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New Simmons-sponsored law gathers data on effect of COVID-19 in LBGTQ+ communities
--From a press release
CHICAGO — A new law sponsored by State Senator Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) requires hospitals and state agencies to gather more data in order to better understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has harmed LGBTQIA communities, older adults, ...
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Pritzker signs the Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act
--From a press release
On Friday, Governor JB Pritzker signed the Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act, which creates age-appropriate learning standards for public schools that decide to teach comprehensive personal health and safety ...
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COVID Cook County institutes mandatory employee vaccination policy
Cook County will implement a mandatory employee vaccination policy, a press release announced. The county wishes "to ensure that members of the public who interact with county employees and our facilities are safe when doing so, ...
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Chicago imposing indoor mask mandate Aug. 20; eight states added to advisory
The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) will re-institute a face mask mandate for all indoor public settings as the average number of new daily cases of COVID-19 in Chicago surpasses 400. All individuals aged 2 ...
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Report details healthcare disparities for North Carolina LGBTQs, especially Black, transgender
--From a press release
ASHEVILLE, NC — The Campaign for Southern Equality (CSE) and Western North Carolina Community Health Services (WNCCHS) released a new report about LGBTQ health in North Carolina, as a supplement to The Report of the 2019 ...
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CDC confirms COVID boosters for immunocompromised people [UPDATE]
On Aug. 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave final approval to start administering COVID-19 booster shots to Pfizer and Moderna vaccine recipients. ...
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CDPH seeking proposals from groups to connect the HIV-vulnerable to services
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Today, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued five Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for qualified smaller organizations to implement screening and support services to help accelerate efforts ...
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Report: 92% of LGBTQ people have been vaccinated against COVID
CMI's (Community Marketing & Insights') 15th Annual LGBTQ Community Survey results have been released—and there are some intriguing results. The report, released in July, focused on the data for 15,042 ...
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COVID Chicago adds 12 states to travel advisory
Chicago added 12 states to its travel advisory on Aug. 10, recommending that unvaccinated people entering the city from those areas test negative for COVID-19 or quarantine upon arrival, according to NBC Chicago. The 12 new ...
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Filmmakers debut Latinx-centered pandemic documentary
Community members gathered at Chicago History Museum (CHM) July 22 for the debut of the locally produced documentary Seguimos Aqui: Pride, Pandemic and Perseverance as well as a conversation with that film's primary collaborators. Seguimos Aqu ...
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Cook County exceeds 11,000 COVID-19 deaths
--From a press release
President Preckwinkle joined representatives from the County's Medical Examiner's Office (MEO), Cook County Health (CCH) and the County's Department of Public Health (CCDPH) this morning to mark a grim pandemic ...
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COVID Pritzker: Masks required for pre-K-12 schools, long-term care facilities
As COVID-19 infection rates across the state continue to increase and with a number of school districts not yet adopting CDC guidance on masking, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike announced masks ...
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Dr. Ezike meets with Black coalition about HIV/AIDS act
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike recently met with members of the Black Leadership Advocacy Coalition For Healthcare Funding Equity (BLACHFE) in Chicago. The meeting took ...
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Chicago adds five states, Puerto Rico to COVID travel advisory
On Aug. 3, Chicago added five states and Puerto Rico to its travel advisory, recommending that unvaccinated people entering the city from those areas test negative for COVID-19 or quarantine upon arrival, according to NBC Chicago. ...
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HEALTH Face masks recommended indoors throughout Chicago
Chicago now recommends that everyone older than 2 should wear a mask when indoors as the delta variant spreads and the city passes 200 new COVID-19 cases a day, The Chicago Tribune reported. The move, announced ...
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Passenger claims rainbow mask was banned; airline responds
On his flight out of Los Angeles International Airport earlier this month for a 46th birthday vacation in Greece, gay West Hollywood resident Scott Schmidt donned a rainbow-colored surgical mask in order to adhere to the ...
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Howard Brown Health calls on businesses, LGBTQ events to re-implement COVID restrictions
--From a Howard Brown press release
(Chicago, IL, July 28, 2021) — Howard Brown Health, the Midwest's largest LGBTQ healthcare organization, is imploring local businesses and public event producers to implement strict COVID-19 safety and prevention ...
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Pritzker signs bill decriminalizing HIV transmission, other pro-LGBTQ measures
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed a legislative package on July 27 at Center on Halsted that, effective immediately ends the decades-long law criminalizing HIV transmission in Illinois. Illinois is now the second such state to repeal ...
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CDC: Some vaccinated people should wear masks indoors
To prevent further spread of the Delta variant, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its mask guidance on July 27 to recommend that fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors when in areas with ...
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Lightfoot: Mask mandates may return to Chicago
People may not want to toss those face masks. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot told The New York Times she will consider reinstating a mask mandate and other restrictions if the city starts to consistently record more ...
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PrEP pills to be free for insured people
The U.S. government has stated that nearly all health insurers must cover the entire cost of HIV prevention treatments, according to U.S. News & World Report. That includes the two approved pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drugs Truvada ...
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Federal judge blocks Arkansas anti-trans healthcare law
Judge James M. Moody Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas temporarily blocked an Arkansas law that would have banned physicians in the state from providing transition-related healthcare—e.g., hormones and puberty ...
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Howard Brown Health announces new leader for The Center for Education, Research, and Advocacy
--From a press release
(July 21, 2021— Chicago, IL) Howard Brown Health is pleased announce Brandon Hill, PhD (he/him/his) as Howard Brown Health's new executive director for the Center for Education, Research, and Advocacy ...
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Soapbox travels to Chicago to raise hand-hygiene awareness
Clean beauty company Soapbox unveiled the world's biggest bottle of soap in New York City's Times Square on July 15, marking the launch of a multi-city tour aimed at raising awareness for the importance of hand ...
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AMA Foundation begins fellowship program to address LGBTQ+ health disparities
--From a press release
CHICAGO — The American Medical Association Foundation (AMA Foundation) today announced the University of Wisconsin—Madison as the inaugural institution of its National LGBTQ+ Fellowship Program to begin transforming the health ...
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U.S. Sen. Warnock to headline Personal PAC's annual luncheon
--From a press release
U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia) is slated to be a featured speaker at the Personal PAC 28th Annual Awards Luncheon on Wed., Oct. 20. The event will take place virtually and feature several pro-choice leaders. More ...
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Minnesota governor bans conversion therapy
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has signed a bill that bans the discredited practice of conversion therapy, KARE11.com reported. The state will become the 21st to ban the practice that tries to change a person's sexual orientation ...
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30th Annual 2021 AIDS Run & Walk Chicago to benefit 25 groups, AIDS Foundation Chicago
--From a press release
CHICAGO — Now in its 30th year, AIDS Run & Walk Chicago returns to Soldier Field on Saturday, October 2 to support individuals living with and vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses. AIDS Run & ...
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Israel court: Surrogacy for same-sex couples should be allowed
On July 11, Israel's High Court of Justice ruled hat the state must allow same-sex couples and single men to become parents through surrogacy, after the government said last week that passing a law to this ...
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WORLD Anti-LGBTQ crimes, conversion therapy, out prime minister, Pakistan school
In England, police are treating the painting of a homophobic slur on an LGBTQ Pride mural as a hate crime, the BBC reported. The wall in St Helens, Merseyside, which was painted by volunteers and artists ...
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Results of South Side community center survey released
Community advocates released the initial findings from a survey examining the needs for LGBTQ residents on the city's South Side on July 8. That assessment will largely determine the scope of a $15 million LGBTQ community ...
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CDC: Fully vaccinated students and teachers don't need masks
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said July 9 that fully vaccinated teachers, students and staff can return back to K-12 schools without wearing masks, Politico reported. On its website, the CDC stated, "Students ...
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HHS to improve interoperability for handling data on sexual orientation, gender identity
--From a press release
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) today released the United States Core Data for Interoperability version 2 (USCDI v2), a standardized set of he ...
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Ohio governor OKs anti-LGBTQ healthcare amendment
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, approved a last-minute amendment to a budget bill that allows medical providers and insurers "the freedom to decline to perform, participate in, or pay for any health care service which ...
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Dance for Life to present 10 companies, world-premiere finale
Chicago Dancers United (CDU), which supports the health and wellness of Chicago's professional dance community, announced an expanded lineup and program for the 30th anniversary of its annual fundraiser, Dance for Life, which takes place in ...
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ALMA, AFC host Latino/a/x-focused COVID-19 grand rounds virtual presentation
Association of Latino/as/x Motivating Action (ALMA) and AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) hosted a "COVID-19 Grand Rounds—Systemic Racism and Health Disparities: The Impact of COVID-19 on Latino/a/x populations" virtual presentation July ...
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Howard Brown Health selects first Black woman as board chair
Howard Brown Health announced the board of directors has elected Chef Fresh Roberson (they/them, she/her) as its next chair after serving as executive vice chair, secretary and board member at large since July 2016. Roberson is ...
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HEALTH Chicago's South Side Help Center receives $2M grant
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its national list of 95 community-based organizations (CBOs) granted funding to develop and implement high-impact human immunodeficiency ...
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Illinois reports no new COVID deaths for a full day, first time in 16 months
On July 5—for the first time in nearly 16 months—Illinois went a full day without losing a resident to COVID-19, The Chicago Sun-Times reported. The Illinois Department of Public Health reported no new COVID-19 fatalities that ...
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Gov. Pritzker signs legislation making healthcare more accessible, affordable
--From a press release
DOWNERS GROVE — Joined by healthcare providers and legislative leaders at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, on July 6, signed legislation that will help make healthcare more accessible and affordable for Illinois resident ...
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Gilead requests approval of twice-a-year HIV medication
Biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences recently submitted a new drug application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration—and it's for the drug lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV inhibitor that is under clinical ...
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LGBTQ+ South Side Needs Assessment Community Report Out July 8
--From a press release
In late 2019, Howard Brown Health partnered with Pride Action Tank to develop and conduct a community input process to inform decision making regarding plans for the health care and LGBTQ+-affirming social services facility it will ...
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Pritzker administration awards nearly $95M to equity-focused healthcare
--From a press release
SPRINGFIELD — Governor JB Pritzker today announced $94.3 million will be awarded in the state's inaugural round of Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives funding. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services will ...
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National LGBT Cancer Network releases groundbreaking survey
The National LGBT Cancer Network has released Out: The National Cancer Survey—the largest-ever LGBTQIA+ cancer survivor poll, according to a press release. The report is based on findings from over 2700 respondents across the United States, ...
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HRC Foundation, SAGE release first edition of 'Long-Term Care Equality Index'
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, the foundation's educational arm, and SAGE, the world's largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ older adults, released the first edition of the Long-Term Care Eq ...
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WORLD Peter Tatchell, conversion therapy, Hong Kong ruling, Mexico report
Longtime British LGBTQ-rights activist Peter Tatchell is the subject of the new Netflix documentary Hating Peter Tatchell. According to an op-ed he penned for The Guardian, Tatchell has "been violently assaulted [more than] 300 times, had ...
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Making Gay History Podcast to launch Season 9:"Coming of Age During the AIDS Crisis"
--From a press release
NEW YORK, NY — Thursday, June 24, 2021 — The award-winning Making Gay History podcast will debut its ninth season, "Coming of Age During the AIDS Crisis," on July 1, 2021. After eight seasons of episodes ...
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Study: More than half of LGBTQ adults have been threatened with violence
--From a Williams Institute press release
An estimated 53% of LGBTQ adults report having experienced threats of violence since the age of 18, and three out of four had been verbally insulted or abused. The findings are part of a new report ...
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City of Chicago's STI/HIV testing clinics reopen
The Chicago Department of Public Health's (CDPH's) STI/HIV testing and STI treatment clinics have reopened. As of June 1, CDPH's Austin and Lake View Specialty Clinics (at 4909 W. Division St. and 2849 N. Clark St., ...
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1.2 million LGBTQ adults in the U.S. identify as nonbinary
--From a press release
An estimated 11% of LGBTQ adults in the U.S.—approximately 1.2 million people—identify as nonbinary, according to a new study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law. The majority of them are under age 29, ...
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HRC Foundation launches national HIV/AIDS campaign
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation announced the launch of "My Body, My Health," a comprehensive public education campaign that works toward building a generation free of HIV/AIDS and stigma. ...
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