Real Talk DC

01/16/2021

Virtual Quilt - District of Columbia Displays

Whitman-Walker is honored to be a Washington, DC host in the AIDS Memorial Quilt's first-ever virtual display! For this virtual AIDS Quilt display, we chose quilt panels that honor the DC community, our earliest organizational leaders, Whitman-Walker programs like the Austin Day Treatment Center, and events that still go on today like AIDS Walk Washington – now called the Walk & 5K to End HIV.

Thank you to our Quilt partners for hosting this statewide display. Click on the organization name to visit its display or scroll down to view all the Quilt displays. Each Quilt display has the corresponding block numbers and the thumbnail images can be enlarged by clicking on them for a closer look...

01/15/2021

DC Health has announced the availability of more #COVID19 vaccine appointments for healthcare workers and for individuals ages 65+ who live in Wards 1, 4, 5, 7 & 8! Visit vaccinate.DC.gov starting tomorrow, Saturday, January 16th at 9AM to schedule your appointment!

You may also call DC’s hotline at 855-363-0333 (Monday through Friday from 8 am to 7pm and Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm) to schedule a vaccination appointment.

01/15/2021

Groups brace for anti-LGBTQ violence from Trump supporters ahead of inauguration

"Naseema Shafi, CEO at Whitman-Walker Health, a health center focused on serving LGBTQ people, said she is worried about the presence of right-wing extremists and their possible effect on the local community and essential workers, including those employed at the center.

'We have been watching this situation, and all of these last years of increased violence against the LGBTQ and BIPOC communities we are a part of, closely,' she said. 'Our D.C. LGBTQ and BIPOC communities have been at the front of asserting the rights of our communities and we are concerned about their safety.'

She added that Whitman-Walker Health has safety plans in place 'and [is] able to quickly shift to remote work and telehealth if the situation requires it.'"

'Each time that they have come in the past couple of months, they've gotten bolder.'

01/15/2021

Jenifer Lewis Leads Cast in Dramatic Reading of “All Boys Aren't Blue" [Photo] | lovebscott.com

"This special virtual event is being presented by The Black Leadership Aids Crisis Coalition and in-Hale Entertainment and premiering on February 8 AT 5PM PST / 8PM EST." #NBHAAD

Queen Jenifer Lewis heads up the cast along with Dyllón Burnside (“Pose”), Bernard David Jones (“The Mayor” and Thomas Hobson (“Sherman’s Showcase”) in a filmed dramatic reading of George M. Johnson’s bestselling memoir, ‘All Boys Aren’t Blue.’ This special virtual event is be...

01/14/2021

Risk of Anal Carcinoma After Anogenital Warts in Adults Living With HIV

Check out JAMA Dermatology's recent publication of "The Risk of Anal Carcinoma After Anogenital Warts in Adults Living With HIV." Our own Dr. Stephen Abbott, Staff Physician at Whitman-Walker Health, is a co-author on the study.

"...findings suggest that persons living with HIV who have anogenital warts should be counseled that they have an increased risk of developing anal carcinoma."

#HIV #JAMA #WhitmanWalkerResearch

This cohort study assesses the risk of developing anal carcinoma in adults living with HIV who have a history of anogenital warts.

01/14/2021

In spite of it, how to live our best winter

"According to Whitman-Walker Health, loneliness can appear in difficulty sleeping or oversleeping, lack of joy, negative self-talk and physical pain. When we feel alone, our minds wander and play the false-narrative tapes of being broken/not belonging."

Self-care and personal connections key during pandemic.

01/13/2021

None of the #COVID19 vaccines currently in development in the United States uses the live virus that causes COVID-19. You may have symptoms like a fever after you get a vaccine. This is normal and a sign that your immune system is learning how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19.

Learn more about the facts behind COVID-19 vaccines: bit.ly/covidvaccinecdc

01/13/2021

Whitman-Walker to celebrate 43rd anniversary with virtual dance party

Help us ring in our 43rd birthday with a virtual Zoom dance party from 8:00-9:30PM tonight, January 13th! RSVP at bit.ly/wwbirthday2021

Whitman-Walker Health will celebrate 43 years of service to the local community with a virtual dance party on Zoom on Jan. 13.

01/13/2021

Our Public Benefits and Insurance Navigation Services are closed Wednesday, January 13, 2021 until 1 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Nuestros Beneficios Públicos y los Servicios de Navegación de Seguros están cerrados el miércoles 13 de enero de 2021 hasta 1 p.m. Disculpe las molestias.

01/12/2021

The Case for Decriminalizing Sex Work

"There is 'considerable evidence from public health researchers that criminalization of sex work contributes to community violence, propagates crime, blocks access to public health resources, is an ineffective deterrent to participation in sex work, and is deeply harmful to sex workers,' according to an executive summary of the report, an effort by the Whitman-Walker Institute, an LGBTQ-focused community health center in Washington, the Georgetown University O'Neill Institute of National and Global Health Law and HIPS, a nonprofit working to advance the health rights of sex workers." #SexWorkisWork

Researchers and advocates say criminally penalizing prostitution can lead to dangerous health outcomes.

01/11/2021

Hear HIV Awareness and Preventative Health Activist, and Whitman-Walker Health board member, Derrick Cox on "The conversation continues with Dr. T.A. White" as they discuss "Living with HIV"-- tonight, January 11th at 7PM ET on Facebook Live.

Watch here: https://www.facebook.com/dr.thomas.a.white

01/10/2021

When do you think HIV treatment should be started? DC Health and The George Washington University want to know your thoughts on a new study. Call 202-819-3541 to learn more!

01/09/2021

The Corner at Whitman-Walker

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the inaugural exhibition at Whitman-Walker’s new cultural center The Corner, at 1701 14th Street, NW, is closed until January 15th, but you can still experience some of the exhibit online at thecornerdc.org!

"See You There: Making History at Whitman-Walker" reflects on DC queer history & Whitman-Walker history! Check it out now!

The Corner at Whitman-Walker connects cultures and communities through programming of exhibitions, events, educational initiatives and artistic research, in order to increase access to art and to other cultural knowledge production.

01/07/2021

Whitman-Walker Health

#WhitmanWalkerVoice: The lax response from law enforcement to yesterday’s attempted insurrection stands in stark contrast to the actions taken by law enforcement when encountering #BlackLivesMatter protesters. Over the summer months we repeatedly witnessed peaceful advocacy for justice, livelihood, and safety met with rubber bullets, violent arrests, and escalating tactics. While not preventing Congress from ultimately certifying President-elect Biden's Electoral College victory, yesterday’s events highlight the unconscionable double standard that allows white supremacists to go unharmed while consistently putting Black and brown lives in harm’s way. This injustice and disregard for Black and brown lives cannot continue.

Photo: Jose Luis Magana/AP

01/07/2021

Whitman-Walker is answering all your COVID-19 vaccine questions. ¡Whitman-Walker está respondiendo a todas sus preguntas acerca de la vacuna del Coronavirus!

01/06/2021

Mayor Bowser has ordered a citywide curfew for DC from 6pm until 6am on Thursday, January 7th.

During those hours no person other than persons designated by the Mayor shall walk, bike, run, loiter, stand, or motor by car or other mode of transport upon any street, alley, park or other public place with the District.

While this curfew does not apply to essential workers, the safety of our staff and patients takes priority.

Today, January 6th, Whitman-Walker will have our last in-person appointments at 4pm. All scheduled telehealth appointments can continue digitally. All Whitman-Walker pharmacy locations will close at 4pm.

Please stay safe, stay home home if you can, and stay strong DC.

01/06/2021

Our Public Benefits and Insurance Navigation Services are closed Wednesday, January 6, 2021. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Nuestros Beneficios Públicos y los Servicios de Navegación de Seguros están cerrados el miércoles 6 de enero de 2021. Disculpe las molestias.

01/05/2021

Advocates call on health experts to include LGBTQ people in COVID-19 vaccine rollout

“'Better engaging communities looks like providing affirming healthcare environments and understanding the full picture of the patient in front us by collecting more thorough data — and asking the right questions to collect that data,' Loubriel [Juan Carlos Loubriel, Director of Community Health and Wellness at Whitman-Walker Health] added. 'We must document gender identity and sexual orientation in addition to data points like race and ethnicity to ensure that COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts reach all communities represented in our complete population.'”

#COVID19

Advocates have urged health officials to collect more data and incorporate LGBTQ people into the dissemination of a COVID-19 vaccine.

01/04/2021

Protecting DC Sex Workers and Promoting Health and Wellbeing

On Thursday, December 17th, known as the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown, Whitman-Walker Institute, and HIPS launched a new report on protecting DC sex workers and promoting health and wellbeing.

Sean Bland of the O'Neill Institute, Benjamin Brooks of Whitman-Walker, Tamika Spellman of HIPS DC and Rehana Mohammed, Chair of The DC Center, discussed the report's findings. Click below to watch the full discussion!

#SexWorkisWork #IDEVASW2020

This virtual event took place on December 17, 2020. The O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Whitman-Walker Institute, and HIPS launched a n...

01/04/2021

Whitman-Walker is answering all your COVID-19 vaccine questions. ¡Whitman-Walker está respondiendo a todas sus preguntas acerca de la vacuna del Coronavirus!

01/04/2021

Your best protection from #COVID19 will be a combination of getting a COVID-19 vaccine, wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet away from others, avoiding crowds, and washing your hands often. No one tool alone is going to stop the pandemic.

Learn about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination so you’ll be ready when a vaccine is recommended: bit.ly/covidvaccinebenefits

01/03/2021

Virtual Quilt - District of Columbia Displays

Whitman-Walker is honored to be a Washington, DC host in the AIDS Memorial Quilt's first-ever virtual display! For this virtual AIDS Quilt display, we chose quilt panels that honor the DC community, our earliest organizational leaders, Whitman-Walker programs like the Austin Day Treatment Center, and events that still go on today like AIDS Walk Washington – now called the Walk & 5K to End HIV.

Thank you to our Quilt partners for hosting this statewide display. Click on the organization name to visit its display or scroll down to view all the Quilt displays. Each Quilt display has the corresponding block numbers and the thumbnail images can be enlarged by clicking on them for a closer look...

01/01/2021

Happy New Year! Hello *Adele Voice* 2021!

01/01/2021

Have questions about getting the COVID-19 vaccine with Whitman-Walker? Visit: bit.ly/wwcovidvaccinefaqs

Whitman-Walker Health is a partner in DC’s #COVID19 vaccination effort. If you are a current patient living in DC, you will be able to get your COVID-19 vaccine at Whitman-Walker!

We will reach out to our patients with more information about how to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination appointment once we have the vaccine in stock.

12/31/2020

Top 10 local news stories of 2020

"Meanwhile, local LGBTQ supportive nonprofit groups like Casa Ruby, Whitman-Walker Health, SMYAL, HIPS, Wanda Alston Foundation, Us Helping Us, and Food and Friends said the pandemic disrupted their fundraising efforts while increasing expenses, at least in part by prompting more people to come to them for help.

LGBTQ workers in the D.C. area hospitality industry were also hit hard by COVID related restrictions in 2020, especially those working for hotels and restaurants that were forced to close."

COVID cancels Pride, devastates local businesses

12/31/2020

Please note, all Whitman-Walker health center locations will be closed on December 31st and January 1, 2021.

The Whitman-Walker Pharmacy and Max Robinson Center Pharmacy will be open on December 31st from 9am - 1pm. All pharmacy locations will be closed on January 1, 2021. We apologize for any inconvenience and wish you a Happy New Year!

12/30/2020

H. Jack Geiger, Doctor Who Fought Social Ills, Dies at 95

Rest in peace Dr. Geiger, thank you for your contributions to social medicine and the concepts of a community health center!

“Dr. Geiger was a leading proponent of “social medicine,” the idea that doctors should use their expertise and moral authority not just to treat illness but also to change the conditions that made people sick in the first place: poverty, hunger, discrimination, joblessness and lack of education.”

He used medicine to take on poverty, racism and the threat of nuclear destruction. Two groups he helped start won Nobel Peace Prizes.

12/29/2020

The Washington Informer

The Washington Informer

"Should I take the COVID-19 vaccine?" (Submit your questions and comments for Dr. Hildreth and we will ask them during the livestream.)

According to Forbes, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Thursday that 90% of the population may need to be immune in order to stop the coronavirus from spreading, a marked increase from estimates earlier in the pandemic that put the figure closer to 60-70% and one that shows the steep challenge the U.S. faces as it tries to get the virus under control.

For African Americans, the vaccination question goes beyond availability and risk to focus on trust. In a year that has further unearthed America's long and festering history of racism and inequity, including "Karen's" police calls, killing innocent unarmed Black civilians and voter suppression, can we trust that America has our best interests at heart when it comes to this vaccine?

James Earl King Hildreth is an immunologist and academic administrator. Hildreth serves as the 12th president and chief executive officer of Meharry Medical College. Hildreth is credited with groundbreaking work around AIDS and HIV and was the first African American to hold a full tenured professorship in basic research at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Edward D. Miller calls Hildreth "one of the most influential HIV researchers in the world."

HIldreth was also a part of the panel tasked by the FDA to make the final vote that would approve each of the vaccines for distribution. In a previous #FIYAH! livestream with the Black Press, HIldreth gave his assurances that if the vaccine wasn't safe, he would not vote to approve its distribution and implementation.

Invite your family, friends and co-workers and join us for this informative and thought-provoking discussion with one of the world's leading immunologists.

LIVE MON. 12.28.20 12PM ET:
blackpressusa.com/hlidreth-covid
facebook.com/blackpressusa/videos
youtube.com/c/blackpressusatv

12/27/2020

Everyone walks, runs and donates for a different person or reason. Share your #WhyIWalk to end #HIV story! Register to walk, run and donate at walktoendHIV.org through December 31st! #WalktoEndHIV

Share your story: bit.ly/whyiwalktoendhiv

12/26/2020

Virtual Quilt - District of Columbia Displays

Whitman-Walker is honored to be a Washington, DC host in the AIDS Memorial Quilt's first-ever virtual display! For this virtual AIDS Quilt display, we chose quilt panels that honor the DC community, our earliest organizational leaders, Whitman-Walker programs like the Austin Day Treatment Center, and events that still go on today like AIDS Walk Washington – now called the Walk & 5K to End HIV.

Thank you to our Quilt partners for hosting this statewide display. Click on the organization name to visit its display or scroll down to view all the Quilt displays. Each Quilt display has the corresponding block numbers and the thumbnail images can be enlarged by clicking on them for a closer look...

12/26/2020

A Black doctor alleged racist treatment before dying of covid-19: ‘This is how Black people get killed’

Rest In Peace Susan Moore. Thank you for sharing your story — a narrative that thrives in too many health care spaces.

“‘I was crushed. He made me feel like a drug addict. And he knew I was a physician. I don’t take narcotics,’ Moore recalled in a Dec. 4 video viewed by millions. ‘I put forward and I maintain if I was White, I wouldn’t have to go through that.’”

“Her video, first shared in physicians’ Facebook groups and more broadly after Moore’s death, has become a rallying cry to confront bias in the medical system.”

#COVID19 #racialbias

Indiana University Health System, which operates the hospital where the physician was treated, declined to comment on treatment details but said it would implement “new anti-racism, anti-bias and civility training for all team members.”