Legacy Community Health - Summer 2016 newsletter

OurLegacyToday Summer 2016

Legacy Stands with Orlando

Legacy Community Health Board of Directors Beth Bruce Chairperson

Amanda Goodie Vice-Chairperson

Lauren Soliz Secretary

Glenn Bauguss

Legacy Community Health is here today because

this act of terror, and we mourn for those taken from this life

the gay men in Houston had the courage to say “enough

far too soon. We share the outrage felt by not just the LGBTQ

is enough.” They were fed up with being turned away at

community, but by the Latino community as well. Nearly 60

hospitals and clinics for simply living their lives. They

percent of Legacy patients come from Latino backgrounds,

were tired of seeing their friends denied treatment for HIV/

and many of the victims in Orlando share their ancestry.

AIDS, a disease very few understood in the 1980s. And they

We stand with everyone affected by this tragedy, and offer

were heartbroken at watching too many of their loved ones

whatever support we can give during this trying time.

die at home alone because they had nowhere else to turn.

Treasurer

These men faced challenges that many of us can’t

of those targeted. It’s about instilling fear and doubt in

Glenna Pierpont

fathom, but they persevered. They overcame innumerable

communities the terrorists hate. One of the best ways to

obstacles to open a place of comfort and hope to

combat terrorists is to celebrate what they fear: diversity,

disenfranchised Houstonians that now serves more than

freedom, and equality. I promise you that Legacy will always

125,000 Texans each year. Because of their willingness to

remain true to these bedrock principles. We will continue

do what others wouldn’t, because of their resilience in an

opening our doors to those with nowhere left to turn, and

environment characterized by hate for people like them,

continue to honor the roots planted long ago by gay men who

Legacy Community Health exists to provide essential

simply wanted to help their community survive. No terrorist

medical services to anyone who walks through our doors.

can take that away from us, and no act of terror will stop us

The legacy these gay men left behind has helped heal more

from taking pride in our history.

At-Large / Executive Committee

Sehba Ali Beryl Basham Tony Bravo George Burch Dr. Abigail Caudle Victor Cordova, Jr. Cyndy Garza Roberts Bryan Hlavinka Alex Jessett Bethsheba Johnson

At its core, terrorism is about disrupting the daily lives

than 1.5 million people in our 35 plus years of operation.

It is this same resilient spirit that will overcome the most

recent reminder of the power of hatred and the murders of

Katy Caldwell

49 people in Orlando. We grieve with the families hurt by

CEO, Legacy Community Health

Alton LaDay Johnson Olatunji

Legacy Community Health Endowment Board of Directors Claire Cormier Thielke Chairperson

Tripp Carter

Vice-Chairperson

James A. Reeder, Jr. Secretary

Mike Holloman Treasurer Michael Alexander Joshua L. Espinedo Bryan Hlavinka Brent N. Whiteley

Melanie Gray,

Board Member Emeritus

Melissa Mithoff,

Board Member Emeritus

Monsour Taghdisi,

Board Member Emeritus

Photos courtesy Photos by Rovo and Phuture Photography

Protecting Pregnant Women and Babies: Legacy’s Zika Prevention Strategy Focuses on Patients at Risk OB/GYN Dr. Juan Franco talks about Zika prevention measures Mosquitos are an irritating fact of life for Texans over the in Legacy’s public service announcement for pregnant women. summer months, but this year their buzzing and biting could lead to much more serious health concerns. Widespread flooding throughout the state has sparked concerns about a possible largescale outbreak of the mosquito-borne Zika virus. While federal funding for Zika prevention was held up in Congress and local officials urged the state to provide emergency assistance, Legacy’s Zika prevention strategy started months ago.

For most of us a Zika infection might only cause flu-like symptoms, but the risks are higher for pregnant women because the virus can cause severe birth defects. Legacy provides prenatal care to about 300 pregnant women every day, and we’re taking steps to make sure they and their babies are protected.

Many of Legacy’s patients visit Central and South America where Zika is prevalent. Earlier this year, Legacy urged pregnant women to avoid travelling to those affected areas. Providers are now asking expecting mothers about their travel history and whether they have symptoms of fever, rash, joint pain or red eyes. In April, Legacy confirmed its first Zika infection in a pregnant woman who lived in El Salvador before coming to the United States.

Radio ads and a public service announcement soon followed to increase Zika awareness.

And now, after confirmation the virus can be transmitted through sexual contact, Legacy is distributing Zika prevention kits that contain insect repellant and condoms to our clinics offering OB/GYN services.

“Our Zika Paks are for women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as well as their sexual partners,” said Dr. Ann Barnes, Chief Medical Officer at Legacy. “We have already given away 1,000 free Zika Paks, and an additional thousand kits are packaged and ready to go.”

Whether Zika will end up spreading through Texas is still unknown, but Legacy isn’t taking any chances. We’re committed to connecting our patients and communities to health, and proud Legacy volunteer Jon Oxley assembles to lead the way with our Zika prevention strategy. free Zika virus prevention kits for patients.

20,000 Free Books and Counting With Legacy’s Little Readers

This year, more young children and their families are getting a “prescription to read” through Legacy’s Little Readers, expanding their home libraries and laying the groundwork for early literacy! Thanks to the foundational support of H-E-B and your generous donations, our providers have given away more than 21,000 free books during well-child visits to our young patients. Reading aloud with babies, toddlers and preschoolers helps build connections in the brain, stimulating young minds building a base for strong early readers.

Little Readers corners in Legacy’s pediatric clinics offer families a fun place to read while waiting for appointments

This year’s annual Legacy Luncheon will once again benefit the Little Readers Program. We hope you’ll join us September 26 at the Wortham Center. Register at http://bit.ly/2016_LegacyLunch or email events@legacycommunityhealth for more information.

LEGACY Expands Services for the Transgender Community

Legacy’s transgender services team includes (left photo) Dr. Natalie Vanek, Todd O’Neal, Dr. Jennifer Feldman (above photo) Dr. Peter Bustamante, Maria Reyna, Dr. Natalie Muehe, Caroline Hendrix, Dr. Stephan Wexler, and Russell Etherton

Stories about transgender issues are making headlines more than ever before. Texas is among eleven states suing the White House over its recommendation that public schools offer students the option to use the bathrooms matching their gender identity. And last November, voters defeated Houston’s Equal Rights Ordinance, which would have banned discrimination against gender identity.

The debate over transgender rights mirrors the beginnings of Legacy Community Heath in 1981 at the start of the AIDS epidemic. The founders back then believed health care itself is a right, not a privilege, and that core value is a driving force in Legacy’s growing Transgender Services Program.

A team of a dozen doctors, therapists, and social workers guide the new service line. Medical checkups, hormone therapy, and OB/GYN appointments are integrated with behavioral health care for patients and families.

Transitioning patients have access to nutrition and fitness counseling to understand how their bodies respond to hormonal changes. Attorney and physician Stephan Wexler monitors legal issues and created a do-it-yourself process in Spanish and English for transgender patients who want to legally change their name and gender markers.

Transgender Survey Health Care Discrimination: 19% refused care because of because of their gender status, with higher numbers among people of color 28% harassed in a medical setting 50% said they had to teach their medical providers about transgender care

“I never heard the word transgender in medical school, so I had to teach myself what to do,” says Dr. Natalie Vanek, who started seeing transgender patients 25 years ago. Back then, many of her patients recently diagnosed with HIV feared death from AIDS-related complications and wanted to transition quickly. “Now I’m seeing two, three transgender patients each day - some who’ve been patients for years and some in their 60s who just now feel comfortable making their transitions.”

Famous celebrities like Caitlyn Jenner have brought mainstream publicity to transgender people, but powerful stigma and rejection by from family, friends, work, and society are daily struggles for most.

“We know there are high rates of depression, suicide and risk-taking behavior among the transgender population related to the chronic stress and difficulties they deal with,” says Legacy psychiatrist Dr. Peter Bustamante.

“They live with legitimate fear of victimization and violence.”

People know Legacy is the place to come for compassionate, nonjudgmental care. “We’re seeing more people come in wanting to learn about ‘what’s next’ for gender-diverse people,” says Kristin Dupiere, Senior Director of Behavioral Health. “We work with the families of our younger patients for social and community acceptance in school and among friends.”

Legacy is expanding transgender services beyond our clinics by cosponsoring the Gender Infinity Conference this fall. Now in its sixth year, the two-day conference has grown to nearly 200 participants, featuring health care providers and community advocates from across the country who will discuss best practices, networking and training. Families are welcomed to share experiences and learn more about transgender development, education and the law.

More information about the upcoming Gender Infinity Conference can be found at http://genderinfinity.org/2016conference. Contact information and details about Legacy’s Transgender Speciality Care is on our website at http://www.legacycommunityhealth.org/transgender-specialty-care/.

Introducing the Preserving Our Legacy Newsletter 35 years ago a handful of volunteers incorporated the Montrose Clinic to serve Houston’s gay community. Soon after, their work focused on prevention, supportive services, education and research to battle the HIV/ AIDS epidemic. We’ve since changed our name to Legacy Community Health and grown to meet the growing health care needs of Southeast Texas, but we haven’t changed our commitment to the LGBTQ community.

To celebrate more than three decades of service, we’ve launched the monthly Preserving our Legacy electronic newsletter featuring stories about our innovative HIV/AIDS health care, services, and programs for LGTBQ

community. The newly-established Preserving Our Legacy fund will earmark donor contributions to those LGBTQ services that still depend heavily on your support.

The newsletter’s masthead includes the silhouette of an oak tree that stands outside Legacy’s Montrose clinic. It’s a living symbol of both our roots in the LGBTQ community and the strength of our commitment to the fight against discrimination and HIV. We encourage you to share this newsletter with others interested in our ongoing mission of driving healthy change in our communities by subscribing at http://bit.ly/PoL_signup.

Adult Literacy Graduation Congratulations to the graduates of Legacy’s Adult Literacy Program which includes Spanish GED, literacy and English as a Second Language classes.

Dedicated participants often juggle family, job responsibilities and transportation issues to succeed.

Instructor Maria Del Carmen Granger with graduates

Houston Stands With Orlando Like many Houstonians, Legacy’s employees were shaken and shocked by the horrific tragedy at the Pulse Orlando. We grieved with friends and neighbors during memorial services for the 49 victims, but wanted to do more. Legacy channeled outrage into action, partnering with a coalition of local businesses, nonprofits, advocacy groups and officials to launch the Houston Stands with Orlando campaign against violence and intolerance. Kicking off the initiative at a press conference the day before Houston’s Pride Festival and Parade, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner focused on safety and security and urged people not to be afraid to attend.

Mayor Sylvester Turner and Legacy CEO Katy Caldwell

Pride 2016

Legacy board member Bryan Hlavinka speaking at a memorial for the Orlando shooting victims

Photos courtesy Photos by Rovo and Phuture Photography

Legacy celebrated with our LGBTQ communities in Houston and Beaumont during Pride 2016.

Pride weekend in Houston

David LaDuke, Gerald Pollard, Chief Development Officer Chree Boydstun, Bryan Hlavinka, and Gary Hammett at Rainbow on the Green

J. Landa Fine Jewelry hosted a cocktail soiree with portions of the evening’s sales benefitting Legacy’s upcoming Mint Julep show.

Kudos to Daniel Turner, Chloe T. Crawford, and Jay Landa (L-R) for a fun and fanastic event!

Beaumont’s Pride Parade

HIV is Not a Crime Legacy presented its innovative HIV education and leadership programming at the second annual “HIV is Not a Crime National Training Academy” in Alabama. mSociety’s Graham Maio, Positive Organizing Project’s Allen Murray, and Legacy Public Health Prevention Supervisor Michael Webb

Derby Day 2016 May 7 You can’t have a Kentucky Derby party without fun, friends, and outrageous hats! Neon Boots Dancehall & Saloon hosted our annual party to kick off the annual Mint Julep show.

Rusty Mueller, Jonathan Smith, Monica Paredes, and Domenic Cusano Caitlin MacManus and Tomas Fritts Winners of the Derby Day Hat Contest

Linda Cantu and Alan Detlaff

Lights of Legacy 2016 Spring Celebration April 14 Lights of Legacy members gathered at the home of Keri Findley and Ken Sill to celebrate raising more than $142,000 in 2015.

Guests were treated to a special reading by a member of Legacy’s Positive Organizing Project (POP+) and break-out conversations touching on Legacy’s response to the economy, politics, and current health trends.

Ken Sill and Keri Findley

Karina Barbieri and Cynda Garza Roberts

Our thanks to Melissa Mithoff, Derek Warburton, and jewelry designer Bela Thacker of Zayver Designs for partnering with Tootsies to host “Baubles and Brunch,” with a percentage of jewelry sales benefitting Legacy Community Health.

Keith Dodd, Legacy CEO Katy Caldwell, and John Pettiette

Beth and Kirk Bruce

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Houston, TX Permit No. 1886

P.O. Box 66308 Houston, TX 77266-6308

September 26 Legacy Luncheon at the Wortham Theater July 17 The 14th Annual Mint Julep Show at South Beach High heels, big hair, and lots of bling! Mint Julep brings together some of Houston’s top LGBT entertainers for an afternoon of outrageous performances. Proceeds benefit Legacy’s HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and support programs.

Save the date for our 14th annual luncheon benefitting the Legacy’s Little Readers program.

We’re building the home libraries of our youngest patients with free books and “prescription to read” at all well-child pediatric appointments.

Chloe Rushing, events@legacycommunityhealth.org (832) 730-4433

Chloe Rushing, events@legacycommunityhealth.org (832) 730-4433

Stay up to date on the latest Legacy events and volunteer opportunities Follow our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/OurLegacyToday and Twitter feed at @OurLegacyToday

September 24 The Gay 10K at Wortham Center’s Fish Plaza Bring your friends and family to join Team Legacy to walk or run a 5K (3.1 miles) or 10k (6.2 miles) to support our LGBT programs, treatment and outreach.

Timmy Martinez, events@legacycommunityhealth.org (832) 730-4433