Portland OR | March 25, 2016 - Cascade AIDS Project is proud to announce that it will open a primary medical care clinic focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals.

Slated to open in early 2017 and conveniently located at 2236 SE Belmont Street in Portland, Oregon, the clinic will offer a safe, affirming, and non-judgmental space where all members of the LGBTQ community can obtain the compassionate and culturally effective health care they need and deserve. In addition to comprehensive primary care, it is anticipated that the clinic will offer specialized services for the transgender community, HIV and sexually transmitted disease testing, mental health care, and integrated pharmacy services.

“I am thrilled that CAP is able to build on its 30-year history of providing culturally sensitive services and expand our mission to include the health and wellness of the greater LGBTQ community,” said CAP Executive Director Tyler TerMeer. “Patients do not have to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender to receive care at this new clinic once opened; however, our services will focus on addressing the sensitive issues of sexual minorities and their families and friends.”

The clinic will serve the full spectrum of Portland’s LGBTQ community, from patients with private and employee sponsored health insurance to Medicaid and Medicare clients. CAP will likewise prioritize inclusivity and outreach to communities of color and the transgender population to ensure that all members of the LGBTQ community have access to affirming and effective health care.

The need for such a clinic is real, as studies by the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association show that LGBTQ populations, in addition to having the same basic health needs as the general population, experience significant health disparities and barriers related to sexual orientation and/or gender identity or expression. Many avoid or delay care or receive inappropriate or inferior care because of perceived or real homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and discrimination by health care providers and institutions.

“Providing culturally affirming care is key to improving health outcomes for the LGBTQ community,” said TerMeer, “and with a growing LGBTQ population, we need to take action now to ensure that their health needs are met. With this clinic, CAP will remove barriers, improve access, and most importantly provide quality health care for all LGBTQ patients in the Portland metro region.”