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Greetings!
Despite the ongoing pandemic, we have been busy! Please read some highlights of our recent work.
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LGBTQ+ Youth Grant
We are pleased to have received a grant from the WI Department of Children & Families to provide services to LGBTQ+ youth who are victims of dating violence or violence by an abusive parent. Protecting our vulnerable youth is a high priority.
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In-Person Support Groups
In our anti-violence program (AVP) office in Appleton, we will be starting in-person groups once again! Our staff have been facilitating our LGBTQ+ youth group Room to Be You(th) virtually since the pandemic began. Starting January 5, 2022, our youth group will be meeting on Wednesdays in a virtual / in-person hybrid to accommodate youth unable to attend in person—particularly rural youth. Starting January 6, we will host our Thursday night group drop-ins for adults. If you need to talk to an LGBTQ+ advocate, please call or text our statewide warmline at (414) 856-LGBT.
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Welcome, Stacy & Jamal!
Diverse & Resilient employees Stacy Clark and Jamal Perry have started a shared position as AVP advocates in our Milwaukee office. Welcome to this new work and your continued professional growth, Stacy and Jamal!
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Trans Support
We held the Change-Makers Fellowship with a cohort of trans individuals and queer women / femmes. The fellowship focused on education and organizing for change in support of our trans community. We are change makers!
We have been building our relationship with the Butterfly Collective and the Black Rose Initiative—both organizations run by and supporting trans people of color.
We joined the advisory board for the Trans Research Lab at UW–Madison to help train more trans-affirming mental health professionals.
We loved hosting our first ever Queer Clothing Swap and first Trans Masc. Social. There will be more social events to come in the new year!
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School Support
We continue supporting our youth in schools by presenting on identity, acceptance, puberty, sexual health, and stress management. We love our youth and the adults who support them!
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Mental Health Grant
We were pleased to receive a grant from the WI Department of Health Services to expand our mental health services to more clients and staff. We recognize that our staff needs to be healthy and safe in order to ensure that our community is healthy and safe.
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Peer Navigator Program
Our Ryan White-funded Peer Navigator Program continues to build connections with members of the community living with HIV while advocating for the removal of barriers that prevent their engagement in care. As part of our work, we support individuals with Emergency Financial Assistance and other support for individuals with limited income.
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Welcome, Anthony!
One of our long-time employees, Anthony Harris, has joined the Peer Navigator team. Anthony has been employed by D&R since 2010 and was involved with D&R for many years before that. Anthony brings a wealth of experience to this new role as a peer navigator.
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HIV / STI Testing
Our counseling, testing, and referral (CTR) program continues to test while maintaining safety protocols during the pandemic. Our testing schedule is as follows:
Diverse & Resilient (2439 N Holton St.)
Free Comprehensive STI Screenings / Treatment with an On-Site Nurse
Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 12:00pm to 4:00pm, by appointment only
Free Rapid HIV / Syphilis Testing
Mondays & Thursdays from 12:00pm to 4:00pm, appointments & walk-ins welcome
Northwest Health Center (7630 W Mill Rd.)
Free Rapid HIV / Syphilis Testing
Thursdays from 12:00pm to 4:00pm, appointments & walk-ins welcome
Contact Lorenzo (414) 524-9737 or Amani (414) 524-9802 to schedule an appointment.
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Intersectionality Among Men (I AM)
I AM was able to offer an opportunity for vaccinated community members to come together for some fun. The "Black Out" took place Nov 12 in Milwaukee at On the Bayou, a local Black-owned restaurant. The event was created to celebrate Black queer people. The attendees experienced music, food, and good vibes—including poems and spoken word from writer and former D&R employee, Matthew Lewis.
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Milwaukee HIV / STI Update Meeting
Justin Roby, Director of HIV Care, Kofi Short, Director of Prevention Services, and Jamal Perry, Program Coordinator, led a panel discussion at the annual Milwaukee HIV / STI Update Meeting.
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Welcome, Amani!
The HIV & STI Prevention team is excited to welcome Amani Carter to our testing program. A native of Milwaukee, Amani is a prominent figure in the LGBTQ+ community. From the age of 15, Amani has used his influence to pursue positive changes in any way possible. He has involved himself in different fellowships and became a mainstay in Diverse & Resilient programming such as the Youth Advisory Board and many other projects to promote equality among the queer community and its allies. Amani is also a staple in Milwaukee’s nightlife using the art of drag to educate others on the fluidity of gender as well as sexual positivity and health through his persona, Gluttoni Sinn.
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