A new pop-up sexual health clinic has opened in Prince George that’s specifically for gay, bi, queer men (GBQ) and gender diverse communities.
PLUS! is a once-a-month pop-up clinic developed by and for the queer community of Prince George. Developed by Health Initiative for Men (HIM) and Northern Health, along with other partners including Central Interior Native Health Society, PLUS! offers the full spectrum of sexual health services. Significantly, every element of PLUS! is community run and community informed.
In 2019, HIM conducted a consultation with community leaders and local, queer-allied health care providers, soliciting suggestions on how to better shape the health and well-being of Prince George’s GBQ and gender diverse communities. PLUS! is a direct outcome of those conversations and a step towards providing programs and services that GBQ and gender diverse communities can feel comfortable and confident going to.
PLUS! has partnered with the Prince George AIDS Prevention Program (PGAPP) to provide nursing care for their clinic. The PGAPP has been a leader in providing low-barrier clinical services to Prince George for years and shares HIM’s values of harm reduction and providing judgment-free services.
What does PG PLUS offers?
- STI/STBBI screening
- Anonymous testing
- HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
- IUD insertions and removals (by appointment, dependent on nurse)
- Urine pregnancy tests
- Sexual health counselling
- Harm reduction supplies, including condoms, lube, safer injection and smoking kits
- Partner notification services
PLUS! operates on the third Tuesday of each month from 5pm to 8pm. The purpose of these “after hours” clinic times is to allow individuals who are coming home from work, school, or are “popping out to get groceries” to have a place to get their clinical needs met on a schedule that works for them.
Who is HIM and what communities does HIM engage?
- HIM is a peer-based organization made up of and gay, bi, queer men (GBQ), and gender diverse communities. Their scope always includes trans community members and never turns anyone away that identifies with their communities or is in need of their services.
- HIM’s aim is to the improve the health and well-being of gay, bi, queer men and gender diverse communities throughout BC. They offer programs and services tailored to the needs of their communities in a holistic fashion. Through the use of their four pillars of health (physical, sexual, social, and mental), they’re able to run the gamut of programs that communities want to see. Whether it be yoga, painting, sexual health clinics, or reduced-cost counselling services, HIM has created a trusted brand by providing services that matter to the people they serve.
Where is the pop-up PLUS! clinic located?
1110 4th Ave. Prince George, BC.
To book an appointment, people can call or text 250-981-7065.
If you’re interested in learning more about PLUS! Prince George, follow this link to visit their website: Sexual Health - Health Initiative For Men (HIM)
Along with PLUS!, HIM is offering free or reduced cost counselling services for GBQ men and gender diverse people, as well as resources and opportunities for their communities to connect, find jobs, and provide tailored health resources. HIM North hopes to offer more social and physical events in the future. They’re always on the look out for community partners who have skills and passions that can create fun and inclusive events.
If you’d like to reach out to the Northern Regional Coordinator, Shain Gillick, he can be reached at shain@checkhimout.ca
This story was contribued by Shain Gillick
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