LGBT Health & Human Services Historically, the LGBTQ community in Nashville had to take care of itself to keep from falling behind in terms of health and well-being. Probably the most obvious case is how the rising need for care of HIV/AIDS patients let to the organization and funding of Nashville CARES in the 1980s. The Vanderbilt Comprehensive Care Clinic has long been a patient-focused medical home for people living with HIV. Their mission “is to offer the finest care possible by treating our patients with dignity and compassion, using advanced technology and treatments.” Vanderbilt centralizes care for its patients to provide comprehensive treatment. Over the years, Nashville CARES has partnered with various organizations and agencies, which have become more LGBTQ friendly and have expanded their services to the community. Nashville CARES, Street Works, and Neighborhood Health partnered to for My House, a one stop shop Health & Wellness Community Center for same gender loving men of color and gay/bisexual men. Support services include a drop-in & event space with free WiFI, evening programming, HIV & STI testing, prevention education, medical care, PrEP, volunteer opportunities and other integrated activities. When it comes to sexual health and other services, the new kid on the block is Music City PrEP, a sexual health and wellness clinic providing affordable and need-
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based charitable care. They provide discreet no-cost HIV screens and STD/STI testing. If appropriate, they’ll provide you with a prescription for Truvada (PrEP). If you are unable to afford the medication, they’ll work to help you cover the costs. The OASIS Center is dedicated to serving the youth of Nashville, including providing programs for LGBTQ youth. OASIS’ Just Us program is dedicated to helping LGBTQ youth achieve their full potential. The program provides an array of services centered on support and advocacy. And it’s not just teens who benefit. Just Us offers loads of resources and assistance for families and agencies who work with young people. OASIS also hosts PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) meetings. Recently, when OASIS Center became unable to continue housing LGBTQ homeless youth on a longer term basis, the community organized to provide shelter for vulnerable youths. Over just a few years, that effort grew into what we now know as Launch Pad, a ‘street free sleep’ initiative with a mission ‘to create a network of temporary safer sleeping shelters for homeless youth 18-24 years of age, which are open and affirming to LGBTQ youth.’ These and many other programs and agencies serve the LGBTQ community in Middle Tennessee. To learn more, contact the programs directly.
O U T A N D A B O U T N A S H V I L L E .CO M
SPECIAL EDITION 2020
