Did you know that 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ people aren't registered to vote? And that Black and Latinx people are less likely to be registered than whites? As a health-focused organization, we believe that our community's well-being depends not only on our physical and mental health, but also our "civic health": the ability to influence the policies that affect our health and healthcare. That's why CAP is urging all eligible voters to make sure they're registered to vote and cast their ballots in the November 8 election!

On our fifth episode of Vibrant, we are getting to know a bit more about one of Our House's core client programs: the Neighborhood Housing & Care Program (NHCP). Joseph Caver, Manager of NHCP, joins us today to give us the inside scoop on the work the NHCP team does to meet clients where they live to continue to provide the wrap-around compassionate affirming care that ensures their continued health, wellbeing, and sense of community!

Faith plays a major role in the lives of many Americans. Many find faith to be a connection to a spiritual being, deity or creator. Unfortunately for many Americans living with HIV, faith communities can turn from a place of refuge to a source of stigma and turmoil.

Starting Saturday, July 16, people in Oregon and nationwide who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis will be able to call, text or chat 988 to get compassionate care and support from trained crisis counselors. The new three-digit 988 number will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Recognizing the need for safe, welcoming, and knowledgeable healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community, Portland City Council and the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners both voted last month to appropriate funds for a planned new location of Prism Health. The City of Portland will allocate $200,000 for the acquisition of the building, while Multnomah County will provide $90,000 for healthcare-provider staff costs.

July 14th is International Nonbinary People’s Day! We’re celebrating at CAP, Our House and Prism by sharing a bit about the history of this day and sharing resources for our nonbinary community members. International Nonbinary People’s Day was first observed in 2012—10 years ago this year.

Thank you to all who attended last month’s historic opening of the new exhibition, It’s Not Over: 40 Years of HIV/AIDS in Oregon. It was a powerful evening of storytelling, remembrance, and hope for our shared future. Although continuous advocacy from community activists as well as ongoing scientific study have led to tremendous advances in the fight against the disease, the epidemic is not over.

Insurance companies in Oregon have been illegally charging patients for STI screenings and other sexual-health services, according to a new report from the state agency that regulates insurers.

The report confirms what Cascade AIDS Project and other advocates have long observed: Insurance companies commonly charge patients co-pays for procedures that Oregon state law requires them to cover at no cost.

As spring transitions to summer, we find ourselves reflecting on the beauty and power of new beginnings. For decades CAP and Our House has served the HIV/AIDS community, expanding and deepening care into seven locations in Portland and SW Washington. And every day, we witness new beginnings and a fresh start for our clients.

June 27th marks National HIV testing day—a day to raise awareness about available testing options, encourage regular testing, and advocate for breaking down stigma and barriers to accessing this vital form of healthcare. Everyone has a status, so it is important to know yours. Interested in testing? Check out the full article for more info!

June 19th, or Juneteenth, marks the anniversary of the day in 1865 when enslaved communities in Galveston, Texas learned that the Civil War had ended and that they were free from slavery. The day serves to honor and celebrate Black history, community and freedom, as well as look towards a more just future. Read on for ways to celebrate Juneteenth and honor the holiday’s history.

July 12, 2022 marks six years since the tragic mass shooting at Pulse, the beloved gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Now and always, we remember the 49 people who were killed that night. Read on for opportunities to honor their lives and commemorate Pulse Day of Remembrance.

Saturday, June 8th marks Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2022 (CAHAAD), a day dedicated to supporting Caribbean communities in the US and promoting access to resources and educational materials to treat and prevent HIV. CAHAAD was first observed in 2006, launched by the Caribbean People International Collective and a working group of US organizations. The day also falls during June, which is Caribbean-American heritage month.

On episode 4 of Vibrant, we are honoring HIV Long Term Survivors Day. As we reflect back on the past 4 decades of the HIV epidemic, we want to honor and remember not only those lost to us, but also uplift those who continue to live and thrive in the face of HIV. Joining us today is our Aging Well Program team lead, Jim Clay, to help us do just that!

May 22nd is Harvey Milk Day—This day honors the late activist, his life, and his dedication to fighting discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. Milk is remembered as one of the first openly gay men elected to public office in the US and a visionary figure of the LGBTQ+ movement. In Portland, we honor his legacy with SW Harvey Milk Street, which spans a 13-block stretch of the city…

On our third episode of Vibrant, we are diving into the topic of Hepatitis with one of our Prism Health primary care providers, Dr. Ben Sokoloff. May 19th marks National Hepatitis Testing Day, so Dr. Sokoloff is bringing all the hepatitis knowledge to share with you all to make sure you can take charge of your health and be your most vibrant self!

Thursday, May 19th marks National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2022, a day dedicated to reducing HIV stigma in Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities and promote prevention, testing and treatment. NAPIHAAD was first observed in 2005 and falls during National Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

May 18th is HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, a day to recognize the volunteers, community members, and researchers working to find a safe and effective vaccine to prevent HIV. Such a vaccine, along with existing HIV treatment and prevention strategies, would help achieve the goal of ending the HIV epidemic. The journey to find a viable vaccine to prevent HIV transmission is 4 decades in the making, but recent progress shows that we may be on the cusp of a breakthrough.

We are excited to be launching a new educational series: Sex Ed 101! From PrEP & PEP, to condoms & lube, to HIV & STI prevention, we are here to cover it all so that you have the tools and resources to take charge of your sexual health. Today’s topic is all about PEP. Not sure what PEP is? Well read on below about this important tool in HIV prevention.

This April 18th, join us in uplifting the health and wellbeing of the trans community by observing National Transgender HIV Testing Day (NTHTD). NTHTD was created to highlight ways to reduce HIV transmission, stigma and promote routine HIV testing for transgender and nonbinary people—groups who experience increased rates of HIV transmission…