HIV Testing and Outreach

08/27/2025

There’s something profoundly touching about second chances forged in the wake of unimaginable loss. In this deeply moving story, Chris—a long-time survivor who lost his beloved partner Roger to AIDS in 1990—finds himself on the other side of grief: the adult son he’s never known steps into his life, reminding us that love can transcend even the harshest setbacks. This unexpected reunion brings a wave of healing, joy, and renewed connection that feels beautifully heartwarming. These gentle reminders of resilience and hope? They’re exactly what our world needs more of.
https://bit.ly/4oSei5h

08/14/2025

🧘‍♂️Wellness Week 📸 Founders Circle Pics * Binglo: 90s Edition * iRest Yoga Sunday * Lung & Heart Health Town Hall * School Supply Drive * Films at The Center * Equality Park After Dark Artisan Market and Food Truck Rally * Reiki Circle * Grief & Loss Support * Breast Cancer Walk * Active Aging Expo * HIV Testing Two Ways * AND MUCH MORE!

Perhaps you or (someone you love) is in need of medical care, PrEP, HIV testing, HIV related linkage, mental health support, support groups, or condoms? Or you might want help with smoking cessation, technology overload, or grief & loss. Or maybe you want help with trauma or PTSD. Or perhaps you want to take a wellness class—yoga, Reiki, meditation, and more.

Need a more personal touch? Our wellness squad is just an email away at wellness@pridecenterflorida.org.

We’re ready to connect you to tailored support and holistic health services. Now, who says you can't be healthy, social, and fabulous all at once?

07/20/2025

HIV doesn’t wait—so neither should you.
Getting tested regularly helps protect your health and the people you care about.

The Pride Center offers free, confidential HIV testing 7 days a week throughout Fort Lauderdale, with full STI panels available Tuesdays and Thursdays on our campus.

Testing is quick. Testing is private. And testing can change your life.
Whether you're exploring PrEP, managing your health, or just want peace of mind, we’ve got your back.

We also provide free counseling to anyone in Broward, Miami-Dade, or Palm Beach counties. Please note: this support is solution-focused and best for short-term challenges—not designed for long-term therapy or complex mental health needs.

💬 Start here: https://bit.ly/44PHQsn...

Take charge of your health today.

07/15/2025

Here’s a powerful and urgent piece from Virginia Mercury that needs amplification:

This commentary by Eric Bonds highlights how Virginia is dismantling vital HIV/AIDS services—funded under the Ryan White Program—with severe cuts to housing, mental health, dental care, transportation, and more for tens of thousands of people living with HIV across the state. Cuts totaling nearly $2M have impacted regions from Hampton Roads to Fredericksburg, even as the state reports a budget surplus. These rollback measures threaten to unravel decades of progress and set a concerning precedent for low-income healthcare support.

Let’s stand in solidarity. Access to comprehensive HIV care—beyond just medications—must be defended. We need decision-makers to restore these programs, because “care is resistance,” and every person deserves dignity, health, and stability.

📖 Read more: https://bit.ly/4lLFbWt

About 25,000 Virginians are living with HIV and proposed federal cuts to health care funding put their care at risk, writes guest columnist Eric Bonds

07/13/2025

HIV testing isn’t just important—it’s essential.
Knowing your status is one of the most powerful ways to take control of your health and protect your community.

At The Pride Center, we offer free, fast, and confidential HIV testing seven days a week at multiple Fort Lauderdale locations. Visit us on Tuesdays or Thursdays for a full STI panel right here on campus.

✨ Regular testing connects you to life-saving care, helps reduce stigma, and opens the door to prevention tools like PrEP—plus access to our full spectrum of holistic wellness services.

Feeling overwhelmed? We also provide FREE short-term, solution-focused counseling for residents of Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. This service is ideal for immediate support—not long-term therapy or complex mental health needs.

👉 Take the first step: https://bit.ly/44PHQsn...

Get tested. Get connected. Get empowered.

07/12/2025

This is the heartbreaking reality of what happens when federal funding is slashed.

Louisville’s LGBTQ+ Health Equity Center has been forced to halt its free HIV testing and prevention services due to devastating budget cuts. As LPM reports, this decision leaves a critical gap for LGBTQ+ individuals—especially Black and Brown communities—who rely on free and affirming care to stay healthy.

We can’t afford to stay silent. HIV prevention saves lives. Community health is public health. And access to these services shouldn’t depend on politics.

📖 Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4lgdjtz

Sweet Evening Breeze, a Louisville nonprofit that supports LGBTQ+ young adults, paused its free HIV testing services due to federal funding cuts under the Trump administration.

07/11/2025

HIV awareness isn’t just history—it’s still urgent, and it still belongs at the heart of Pride.

This powerful piece from LGBTQ Nation reminds us that while Pride celebrates how far we’ve come, it’s also a time to recommit to ending the HIV epidemic. From rising infection rates in underserved communities to barriers in accessing PrEP and treatment, the fight continues—and so does the stigma.

Let’s honor our past, protect each other now, and build a future where HIV no longer threatens our community. Education, access, and compassion save lives.

📖 Read more: https://bit.ly/44kTvPT

Pride is still a protest, and HIV education and advocacy must play a critical role in the celebrations.

07/10/2025

Game-changer alert: Scientists at MIT have developed a CRISPR-based sensor that could allow for at-home diagnosis of cancer, HIV, and other diseases—with smartphone-level simplicity!

As reported by Interesting Engineering, this innovative tool can detect ultra-low levels of biomarkers from just a small sample. The future of early detection may soon be in your hands—literally. This could mean earlier treatment, better outcomes, and more accessible care, especially for underserved and LGBTQ+ communities often left behind by traditional systems.

Science is queering the future—and we’re here for it.

📖 Read more: https://bit.ly/44BQZDI

MIT’s CRISPR sensor detects cancer and HIV for 50 cents and stays effective for two months without refrigeration.

07/07/2025

Your health. Your power. Your Pride Center.
Fast, free, and confidential HIV testing is available 7 days a week across Fort Lauderdale—including right here on our campus. Bonus: Full STI panels offered Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Curious about PrEP, HIV care, or ready to explore our holistic wellness services? We’re here for all of it. And if you’re navigating tough moments, we also offer FREE counseling for folks in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach. Just fill out a quick, confidential intake form and we’ll take it from there.

👉 https://bit.ly/44PHQsn...

💬 Note: Counseling is best for short-term support or immediate challenges.
Get tested. Get supported. Get empowered.

07/03/2025

🎉 Holiday Closure 💔 Grief & Loss Support 🎨 Art Reception 🏳️‍🌈 Move with Pride 🌬️ Inspire Breathwork 🧘 Tai Chi & Qigong 🧪 HIV testing hours… and so much more in this week’s newsletter! Learn more at https://bit.ly/3TZnNBq

06/26/2025

National HIV Testing Day 🩺 BinGlo @ The Center Pride Edition 🎉 What the Heck’s Happening to My Body 🧠 Red, White, & Rainbow 4th of July 🇺🇸 Reiki ✨ Grief & Loss Support 💔 …and so much more happening at The Center!… check out our newsletter at https://bit.ly/4lch2rW

06/18/2025

The FDA has officially approved lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable PrEP medication that requires just two doses a year—a game-changer for HIV prevention efforts, especially within the LGBTQ+ community.

This groundbreaking option offers a powerful alternative for those who struggle with daily pills or frequent doctor visits. It’s especially meaningful for people facing stigma, barriers to access, or healthcare inequity.

While this is a huge step forward, it also underscores the importance of continued investment in HIV research, education, and access to care. Science is moving forward—but we must keep fighting to ensure everyone benefits from progress.

https://nbcnews.to/4jXNld2

The twice-yearly injectable drug’s potential could be compromised by the Trump administration’s dramatic cuts to HIV-prevention infrastructure in the U.S.