METROWEEKLY magazine reports that Gay Men’s Health Collaborative (GMHC) hopes to provide gay, bisexual and transgender men of Northern Virginia a place outside of the city to provide health and social services.
On the testing end, GMHC holds its Rainbow Tuesdays Clinic, which provides free, confidential HIV testing and STI screenings on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, in conjunction with the Alexandria Health Department. GMHC has also held HIV testing at various locations in Northern Virginia, such as Freddie’s Beach Bar in Arlington, and Lotus Blooms, an adult boutique in Old Town Alexandria, which will host a testing session from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21. STI screenings may be offered in addition to HIV testing, if space at those alternative locations permits.
On the social side, Leslie has organized several events for Virginia residents to make new acquaintances through activities in alcohol-free environments. Some “GBT Men’s Meetups” or other outings planned for the future include bowling, movie nights, game nights, and visiting a waterpark in Manassas, Va. The social events are intended to provide GBT men the chance to make new friends and build their own social networks and support systems.
