Health/Disability Related Support Groups

The program offers HIV/AIDS services in a feminist-oriented program. Services include rapid HIV tests, disease/disability information about AIDS, HIV and STDs; a health related support group for women who are HIV positive or who have ARC or AIDS, and community education about AIDS as it affects women and their female or male partners. There are no geographic restrictions for service.

The program provides rapid HIV testing services. The OraQuick Rapid HIV-1 Antibody Test with 20 minute results using an oral swab or a single drop of blood from a finger stick. Code numbers are used to protect identity. Results can be given with the client's name for immigration, court, or international travel. Also available are T-cell subsets and the HIV DNA by PCR.

Support, referrals and education services are offered for women who are HIV positive, who have AIDS or ARC, or who have any other life threatening illness. The service is an on-going, open-ended support network of women who drop-in to discuss ways of coping with the realities of having a life threatening illness. The program's feminist approach in support and in AIDS education stresses empowerment through self-help and access to the available information. While the program is available to all interested women and their partners, it has special sensitivity to the concerns and needs of lesbians.

In addition to the support group, the program provides community education through a speaker's bureau and printed materials.