April 18th is National Transgender HIV Testing Day! This year, we would like to share some context about the importance of this day and offer some resources for our trans and gender-nonconforming community members—including a fun local event!

When it comes to accessing HIV prevention and treatment, the transgender community faces significant and often intersecting barriers. Transphobic discrimination, racism, transmisogyny, HIV stigma, housing and transportation insecurity, and unmet needs for medical transition such as surgery or hormones are some of these factors. According to this CDC fact sheet, Black transgender women experienced new HIV diagnoses at a rate 5 times higher than white transgender women in 2018 and Hispanic/Latina transgender women experienced new HIV diagnoses at a rate 3 times higher than white transgender women.  

In the midst of these circumstances, both now and in the past, the trans community has a history of resistance and resilience. Trans people and their supporters have long worked to meet each other's needs through mutual aid, harm reduction, advocacy and community support. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes the importance of routine HIV testing, status awareness and continued focus on HIV prevention and treatment efforts for the trans community. At CAP, Our House and Prism Health, creating a safe, comfortable environment for all those seeking affirming healthcare is a top priority.

If you or someone you know is a trans, nonbinary or gender-nonconforming person interested in celebrating NTHTD or accessing HIV testing, check out these resources: 

• Join us for GAY SKATE NIGHT on April 17th from 7-9:30pm at Oaks Amusement Park! There will be roller skating and free HIV testing! 

• Learn more about HIV testing at CAP 

• Order a free HIV self-test kit online. Get results within 20 minutes—on your own time, in your own space. 

About Cascade AIDS Project

CAP is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1985 as a grassroots response to the AIDS crisis. As the oldest and largest community-based HIV services provider in Oregon and southwest Washington, we seek to support and empower all people with or affected by HIV, reduce stigma, and provide the LGBTQ+ community with compassionate healthcare. We do so by helping to ensure the health and well-being of our program participants each year through health, housing, and other social services. When the need for affordable, accessible, and culturally affirming primary care services was identified as a community need, we responded by opening Prism Health in 2017.  More information can be found at www.capnw.org.