HEALTH CENTRE SET TO BRIDGE SERVICE GAP FOR GAYS

By Mongezi Mhlongo (BTM Reporter)

SOUTH AFRICA - 07 May 2009: Results of a needs assessment by OUT LGBT-Wellbeing that showed that many homosexual people, among other risky behaviors, feel uncomfortable talking about safer sex, gave birth to the PRISM Lifestyle Centre to be launched in Tshwane tomorrow, Friday 08 May 2009.

This health and wellness centre is professionally staffed and offers all professional services free of charge but a R20 facility fee to cover administrative costs.

The Centre, according to founders, aims to provide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) people an alternative LGBT affirming and health-promoting space with increased direct services such as face to face counseling, support groups, and primary healthcare services.

“It also aims to facilitate workshops that will encourage positive sexual behaviour, offer life skills, advice on risk reduction and a range of activities such as book clubs, interest groups and yoga”, said Jacques Livingston, Sexual Health Manager at OUT LGBT Wellbeing.

With the hope to bridge the service delivery gap the centre will also offer LGBTI focused health services such as the primary health care services. 

“The primary health services include HIV testing, STI testing and diagnosis, selected lab work, general physical examinations, PAP smears, referral and follow-up and treatment literacy”, said Livingston

Expatiating on the results of the needs assessment Livingston said it highlighted a range of individual and contextual determinants that influence sexual risk-taking among those sampled.

“Of these multiple determinants it became clear that a large portion of LGBT people feel isolated and disconnected from others. Many feel a sense of shame and guilt about their sexual orientation. Many feel pressured to take risks because of negative peer norms that exist in their social and sexual networks”, he said.

The Prism Lifestyle Centre is currently working with a range of drug treatment facilities in Pretoria and Joburg.

“We also have an office in the Hillbrow Health Precinct, Mamelodi Hospital and shortly in Nelspruit”, said Livingston

He also noted that “The Prism Centre will also develop strong collaborative ties with other service providers in Pretoria and Joburg.”

In its quest to serve the LGBT community on the areas of mental health, sexual health, advocacy and mainstreaming, OUT will re-launch the men to men website next week and will develop a sister site for women later this year.

The centre will be officially opened by comedian, Marc Lottering.