Today, June 10: Pasadena To Provide COVID-19 Vaccine and HIV Testing for Pride Month

(Photo- The Boulevard gofundme page)

Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) is hosting a vaccine clinic and HIV testing event at The Boulevard Bar, Pasadena’s only gay bar, as part of Pride Month celebrations. The clinic will take place on June 10, 2021, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

By News Desk

As The Boulevard regularly partners with PPHD to provide free HIV testing, it’s teaming up again with the city to offer Johnson and Johnson vaccine to everyone age 18 and over.

Individuals who are fully vaccinated by Tuesday, June 15, may be eligible to receive a $50 incentive card and other cash prizes up to $1.5 million from the State of California. (Click for more information on cash prizes).

“PPHD is committed to providing everyone with convenient access to free COVID-19 vaccine,” said Dr. Ying-Ying Goh, Health Officer and Director of PPHD. “By partnering with trusted businesses such as the Boulevard, we hope that some LGBTQ+ who have not yet gotten vaccinated will feel comfortable to choose to protect themselves and their family. Getting vaccinated is so important now, because many activities are starting up again, including gathering at entertainment and social venues.

The Boulevard (Photo- The Boulevard gofundme page)

Additional Info

• More than 4,000 transitional youth are homeless in L.A. County, and about 40% are estimated to be LGBTQ (LA Homeless Services Authority)
• LGBTQ older people are twice as likely to be living alone and four times less likely to have children, which means that older LGBTQ people are especially at risk to lack care or support from family (SAGE)
• LGBT individuals are at greater risk of worse COVID-19 outcomes due to higher rates of comorbidities due to – (i) living on lower average incomes than non-LGBT people, (ii) experiencing stigma and discrimination related to sexual orientation/gender identity, (iii) increased difficulties in accessing health care, and for transgender individuals (iv) being less likely to have health coverage (Kaiser Family Foundation).
• Fifteen percent of LGBTQ+ Americans postponed or avoided medical treatments due to discrimination (Center for American Progress, 2020 Survey)
• More than 1 in 10 LGBTQ+ Americans reported mistreatment by a doctor or a health care provider (Center for American Progress, 2020 Survey)
• Around 3 in 10 LGBTQ+ Americans faced difficulties last year accessing necessary medical care due to cost issues, including more than half of transgender Americans (Center for American Progress, 2020 Survey)

Dr. Matt Feaster, PPHD Epidemiologist and part of the LGBTQ+ community will be working the event and serving as the spokesperson.