Pride In Our Health

If the past year and a half has taught us anything, it’s that community – finding it, building it, and celebrating it – is essential for all of us. It is in that spirit that Fenway Health’s Women’s Health Team will host the 23rd Annual Audre Lorde Cancer Awareness Brunch virtually on October 16, 2021. The brunch is a vibrant celebration of Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Queer, Transgender, People of Color, non-binary and gender fluid, and LGBTQIA+ community members and their supporters whose lives have been affected by cancer. Let’s learn more about this incredible event. Today’s guest is Nandini Choudhury, Women's Health Program Coordinator at Fenway Health. REGISTER FOR THE BRUNCH: https://fenwayhealth.org/audre-lorde-brunch

Transgender and gender diverse youth have been making a lot of headlines lately. In many cases, the news is good: trans youth are finding community, seeing more visibility in media, and getting more chances to tell their stories. All too often, however, trans youth are being used as pawns in the latest culture wars. Conservative politicians around the country have unleashed a wave of harmful legislation targeting trans youth in sports, in schools, and in health care. Now more than ever, trans young people need our support – and that support begins with understanding their daily lives. A groundbreaking study shines a light on how social transition and school environments affect the mental health outcomes of trans people. Today's guest is Dr. Jack Turban, Chief Fellow in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at the Stanford University School of Medicine and lead author of this study.

On June 5, 1981, the CDC published a note in their Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report that five gay men in Los Angeles had been treated for a rare fungal infection of the lungs caused by a severely weakened immune system. What nobody knew at that time was that this would be the first officially reported case of AIDS in the US. 40 years later, the search for an HIV cure continues. The lifesaving advancements made since those early dark days are the legacy of researchers and advocates who worked tirelessly under the shadow of a terrifying new disease. Let’s hear from one of those people. Today’s guest is Dr. Kenneth H. Mayer, Fenway Health Medical Research Director and Co-Chair of The Fenway Institute.

It has been said that great things come from small beginnings. Here at Fenway Health, our small beginning was in a humble basement clinic, dreamed up by neighborhood activists and staffed by volunteer nursing students. The folks who founded Fenway Health in 1971 had a belief: that health care is a right, not a privilege. As we celebrate 50 years of Fenway Health this year, let’s take a look back at some Fenway history. Today's guest is Tom Martorelli, former Chair of the Fenway Board of Directors during the late 1970s.  

A year after the COVID-19 virus was first identified, the world is finally seeing its first vaccinations – and with them, signs of hope – that this devastating pandemic could finally come to an end. This is the result of tireless work by researchers around the world. We are proud to say that some of these public health heroes are right here at Fenway Health. Today, we’ll be speaking with one of them about her experiences during our COVID-19 vaccine trials. Today’s guest is Alison McLoughlin, Clinical Research Nurse at The Fenway Institute.

The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the world on a scale not seen in a hundred years. As we enter the final months of 2020, with cases and deaths continuing to rise across the US, researchers are working round the clock to find a vaccine. Here at Fenway Health, we have recently been activated as a trial site for CoVPN 3502, a new COVID-19 antibody study. How can antibodies be used to potentially stop the spread of COVID-19? Let’s take a look.  This episode's guest is Dr. Kenneth H. Mayer, Medical Research Director at Fenway Health and Co-Director of The Fenway Institute.

On this special episode, we’re excited to introduce you to Ellen LaPointe, incoming CEO of Fenway Health. Ellen will be joining us in Boston next month and we look forward to her leadership. Ellen brings to the role tremendous experience in the nonprofit and public health sectors, working in social justice, research, LGBTQIA+/HIV activism and advocacy, health policy, law, and equity. Her passion for and record of achievement in these issues are a perfect match for Fenway’s mission. We are incredibly fortunate that she will lead us at this critical time in the organization’s history. This episode's guest is Ellen LaPointe, incoming CEO of Fenway Health.

The holidays are in full swing, and there are presents to buy, halls to deck, and parties to plan. As exciting as this time of year is, it’s often stressful. For LGBTQ people, the holidays can be especially difficult. Many are estranged from their families or are subject to abuse from homophobic or transphobic relatives. And those traveling back to unsupportive environments may find themselves forced to spend their holidays in the closet. In times of stress, self-care is essential – but what does self-care look like for LGBTQ folks? This episode's guest is Meghan McGrath, Behavioral Health Specialist & Coordinator of Behavioral Health Training at Fenway Health.

30 years ago, the idea of successfully treating HIV/AIDS seemed like an impossible dream. Today, however, we have life-saving medical advancements like anti-retroviral therapy for HIV treatment and PrEP for HIV prevention, and many positive people are living full, healthy lives. But what if we took it a step further? Is a true HIV vaccine possible – and are we actually closer to finding one than you might think? This episode's guest is Adrianna Boulin, Community Engagement Manager at The Fenway Institute. 

There is no doubt that we’ve made incredible progress in the battle against HIV and AIDS. Thanks to medical advancements like anti-retroviral therapy as treatment and PrEP as a hugely effective preventative measure, AIDS is no longer the death sentence it once was and the number of new infections is at an all-time low. Yet research shows that for many, these life-saving advancements have not been accessible. In the Latinx community, as in other communities of color, infection rates remain high and fewer people are getting the care they need to thrive. Why do these disparities exist, and how can we work to improve HIV prevention resources for Latinx people? This episode's guest is Ricky Holguin, Bilingual Outreach Navigator at Fenway Health.

Fifty years ago, the Stonewall Riots launched what is widely considered to be the modern LGBTQ rights movement. The patrons of the Stonewall Inn, largely consisting of transgender and gender diverse people and homeless youth, fought back against police brutality and years of systematic violence and oppression. We owe much to their bravery, and to the bravery of those who led earlier LGBTQ rights efforts such as the Mattachine Society, the Daughters of Bilitis, and the Compton Cafeteria Riot. Today, the people who paved the way for today’s LGBTQ rights are entering their golden years. For these Stonewall Seniors, aging brings with it many unique challenges not faced by their straight, cisgender peers. How can healthcare and elder services providers ensure that LGBTQ seniors are able to age with dignity, security, and pride?  This episode's guest is Lisa Krinsky, Director of the LGBT Aging Project.

The #MeToo movement has been revolutionary. The testimonies of countless courageous survivors mark a major turning point in the national conversation around sexual assault. While this epidemic is finally getting the long overdue attention it needs, the experiences of LGBTQ survivors are often left out of the narrative. How can we better support LGBTQ survivors? What are their unique challenges? And how does our culture need to change to truly empower survivors?  This episode's guest is Xavier Quinn, Violence Recovery Program Manager at Fenway Health.

At one time considered controversial, Alternative Insemination – commonly known as Artificial Insemination – has made it possible for countless LGBTQ people to realize their dream of becoming parents. Here at Fenway Health alone, our AI program has helped nearly 700 clients conceive. LGBTQ prospective parents have more options than ever, and there is much to consider before starting the journey toward conception. Today, let’s take a look at the basics of AI for LGBTQ folks. This episode features Liz Coolidge, LMHC, AI Program/Family & Parenting Services Coordinator at Fenway Health. For more info on our AI services, as well as a list of resources for LGBTQ parents/prospective parents, please visit https://fenwayhealth.org/care/medical/alternative-insemination.

The transgender and gender diverse community has made some major strides in recent years. Advocates have fought bravely for transgender rights, even against a hostile administration. The media has finally begun spotlighting transgender people and their stories, and more Americans than ever before report knowing someone who is transgender. But has all this progress led to better healthcare for transgender and gender diverse people? What is the state of transgender health in 2019? This episode features Dr. Ruben Hopwood, Coordinator of the Trans Health Program at Fenway Health.