Simon Says: National Coming Out Day
National Coming Out Day was established to promote visibility and acceptance for LGBTQ+ individuals and to encourage a more inclusive society. Dedicated to celebrating and supporting individuals in the LGBTQ+ community as we share our authentic selves with the world, this day also aims to raise awareness about the importance of coming out, challenge stereotypes and prejudices, and promote acceptance and inclusion.
On Sunday, 12th October, members of the Mazzoni Center team participated in Philadelphia’s “OURfest,” a day of celebration and empowerment for LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies. With the news cycle so frequently featuring stories of fear and discrimination towards our community, it was certainly liberating to join so many others in the ‘Gayborhood’ embracing their true selves and living openly.
Based in front of our Washington West clinic (1201 Locust Street), we engaged the festival goers to discuss our range of whole-person, integrated health and wellness services, pre-exposure (PrEP) and post-exposure (PEP) HIV prophylaxis, and opportunities to be connected to care. In addition, we collected nearly 400 signatures advocating for passage of the PrEP and PEP for Pennsylvania Act, to ensure that these life-saving medications are covered by health insurance.
While special days, like National Coming Out Day, play an important role in placing the spotlight on societal issues, here at Mazzoni Center we will continue to strive every day to challenge stereotypes and prejudices and promote acceptance and inclusion while delivering comprehensive health and wellness services to our community.
- Simon
