June is Pride Month, the Health Department joins New York City in celebrating the diversity and resilience of the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender nonconforming and non-binary, queer, and intersex (LGBTQ+) communities.
Throughout June, the Health Department will distribute free safer sex products and health promotional materials at celebrations across the city, including Staten Island Pride (June 1), Queens Pride (June 2), Brooklyn Pride (June 8), Youth Pride Fest (June 15), Folsom Street East (June 16), Bronx Pride (June 22), Harlem Pride (June 29), and PrideFest (June 30). The Health Department’s float in this year’s Pride March (June 30) will promote our updated “Be HIV Sure” sexual health marketing campaign, which encourages New Yorkers to get tested for HIV, know their HIV status, and seek out the sexual health services they need.
“LGBTQ+ New Yorkers have given so much to our city,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “The Health Department is proud to honor our LGBTQ+ community and celebrate with them at the many events throughout June. We are especially focused on ensuring the health and safety of our queer and trans neighbors, during a time of increased threats of violence and action against them across the country.”
“As we celebrate Pride, the NYC Unity Project stands with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in affirming the dignity and diversity of our LGBTQ+ community,” said Ronald Porcelli, Director, NYC Unity Project. “Our commitment to equity, health, and inclusivity drives us to ensure that every individual has access to the care and support they deserve. Together, through our vast partnerships in mental and physical health, we build a healthier, more compassionate city for all. Happy Pride!”
“As we kick off Pride Month, full of joy and celebration, we remain focused on meeting the critical needs of NYC’s LGBTQ+ community,” said New York City Chief Equity Officer and Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice Commissioner Sideya Sherman. “Through the NYC Unity Project, we are steadfast in our commitment to uplifting the TGNCNB community, and we are proud to partner with DOHMH on this inaugural TGNCNB health summit. Together, we will cultivate connections, foster collaboration, and ensure community access to vital resources.”
To kick off Pride, on May 21, 2024, with support and partnership of the NYC Unity Project and the Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice, the Health Department hosted its inaugural Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, and Non-Binary (TGNCNB) Health Summit. The summit built on the work of the Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, and Non-Binary Community Advisory Board (TCAB), a cornerstone of the Health Department’s LGBTQ+ initiatives. The summit was attended by nearly 100 people and included a full day of presentations on TGNCNB health topics, discussion panels on the importance of TGNCNB inclusion in community health promotion, and resource-sharing from community organizations and city agencies, successfully fostering meaningful community engagement among TGNCNB community members, community-based organizations, and the Health Department.
“We are delighted to once again host the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene at NYC PrideFest,” said Sandra Perez, Executive Director of Heritage of Pride. “The LGBTQIA+ community needs the resources that are being provided and we are happy to provide a safe space where individuals can learn about programs that can improve their health and getting them the services they need.”
“Part of our mission is the creation of safe spaces for public expression of our sexual identities, and that necessitates a focus on public health,” said Eric Lee, Vice President at Folsom Street East. “Folsom Street East is proud to include the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in our 2024 flagship street fair!”
Here are some tips to celebrate Pride safely:
Spend time with community and take care of your mental health. Pride is a joyous occasion where members of our LGBTQ+ communities come together. For many, being around others with shared identities can be affirming and mitigate feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression, and can help break down identity-based stigma. New Yorkers should be aware of the many mental health resources available. For free, confidential crisis counseling, mental health, and substance use support, information, and referrals, call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Text and chat support is available in English and Spanish. Other resources include Trans Lifeline, The Trevor Project, and NYC Anti-Violence Project.
Do not go out if you are feeling sick. Help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by getting vaccinated, testing if you do not feel well or were recently exposed, wearing high-quality masks, and washing your hands. To find a COVID-19 vaccination site, visit NYC Vaccine Finder or call 212-COVID19 (212-268-4319).
Protect against mpox. Mpox continues to circulate in New York City, so it is important to seek care right away if you have sores or a new unexplained rash.Getting vaccinated is a safe and effective way to reduce your chance of getting mpox and can reduce symptoms if you do get it. Mpox vaccination consists of two doses of the JYNNEOS vaccine. If you have not yet gotten your second dose, it is not too late. To find a vaccination site, visit NYC Vaccine Finder. You can also reduce potential mpox exposure by reducing your number of sex partners; not sharing towels, clothing, bedding, fetish gear, sex toys or toothbrushes; and using condoms.
If you have sex, use safer sex strategies that work for you, such as condoms, PrEP and emergency PEP to prevent HIV, HIV treatment, doxy PEP to prevent certain STIs, and getting tested regularly for HIV and STIs. Use water-based or silicone lubricant to reduce the risk of skin tears and bleeding or a condom breaking during sex. For more information on sexual and reproductive health and where to access services, visit nyc.gov/sexualhealth.
Discuss your and your partners’ sexual history and how you or they are feeling. Discuss your likes, dislikes, and boundaries to keep sex safer and enjoyable. Sexual consent means that all people involved in a sexual activity clearly and freely agree to participate. You can give consent by words or actions, but your intent should be clear — you are willing and you give permission. A person cannot give consent if they are not awake, aware, or otherwise able to make decisions. You can change your mind at any time. Remember, clear verbal communication is best when it comes to consent. Check out our Ask Before You Act videos for a look at consent in action.
“… doxy PEP services recently launched at the Central Harlem …”
Seek out the sexual and reproductive health services you need. The Health Department is excited to announce that doxy PEP services recently launched at the Central Harlem, Corona, Morrisania, and Fort Greene sexual health clinics. Our Sexual Health Clinics offer low- to no-cost HIV and STI services, as well as contraception services, to anyone ages 12 or older, regardless of immigration status. For more information on the clinics, including locations, hours of operation, and available services, visit Sexual Health Clinics – NYC Health.
Visit the NYC Health Map or call 311 to locate a sexual health service provider near you.
To reach the NYC Abortion Access Hub, which provides confidential support for abortion services and care, call 877-NYC-AHUB (877-692-2482) or visit the live chat.
If you use drugs or alcohol, plan ahead and consider creating a safety plan to protect yourself and your community from overdose and other harms. Be aware that fentanyl, a powerful opioid, is common in drugs sold as heroin. It has also been found in cocaine, methamphetamine, and pills from non-medical sources. Xylazine has also been found in the drug supply. To reduce the risk of overdose, test your drugs using fentanyl and xylazine test strips, avoid using alone, and always have naloxone to prevent fentanyl overdose nearby. To find sites that offer fentanyl test strips or naloxone, visit the Health Department’s fentanyl and naloxone web pages.
“Overamp” is a term used to describe a range of adverse effects that can occur after using stimulants, like cocaine and methamphetamine. These include physical symptoms, like overheating, seizure, and irregular heartbeats, and mental symptoms, like paranoia or psychosis. To protect yourself from an overamp, stay hydrated and make sure to set aside time to sleep and rest.
Avoid mixing different types of drugs, as this can increase your risk of overdose and other adverse effects. All drugs, including alcohol, may have adverse effects or otherwise put you in a vulnerable state. Take care of your mental health and safety when using drugs by trying to stay in a comfortable and safe environment with people you trust. For more information about alcohol, drugs, and health, visit Alcohol and Drug Use Services – NYC Health.
Check out Health Department resources for LGBTQ+ communities, including Pride and Care: Health Tips for Transgender, Gender-Nonconforming, and Nonbinary People, which provides information on rights, gender affirming care, routine medical care, sexual health, and mental health, and includes community resources; and web pages on LGBTQ+ Health and the health of men who have sex with men, women who have sex with women, transgender people, and intersex people.
To find an LGBTQ-knowledgeable health care provider, visit the NYC Health Map for a list of providers who offer primary care, sexual health care, gender-affirming care, HIV testing and treatment, and other services.
To learn about health care protections for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, check out the LGBTQ Health Care Bill of Rights.
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