'Pride In The Plaza' To Kick Off LGBTQ Sexual Health Campaign

SILVER SPRING, MD — "Pride in the Plaza," an event in Silver Spring with free HIV testing and other LGBTQ resources, will kick off the county's new sexual health campaign.

“Do It For Montgomery County," the campaign, is part of a larger plan to end HIV in the county, and will focus on HIV testing, treatment and prevention. The event on Sunday will run from 1 to 7 p.m., with a pride flag raising to start it off. Local non-profits will have tables to share information about their services for the LGBTQ community.

HIV testing and testing for sexually transmitted diseases are always available at the Dennis Avenue Health Center through Montgomery County — HIV testing is free while STD testing will be provided on a sliding pay scale depending on income, the county says on its website.

The County's "Plan to End HIV" was announced in December 2020 and has goals set to end it in the county by 2030. There are more than 4,000 people living with HIV in Montgomery County, wrote Health Officer and Chief Travis Gayles in the report.

"In their honor, we pledge to embark upon this work with transparency, cooperation, a focus on equity and with a person-centered approach," the plan says.

In addition to outlining strategies and plans to help people get tested and prevent the spread of HIV, the plan also encourages residents to do the following:

• Get tested for HIV, even if you do not think you are at risk.
• Seek treatment if you’re a person living with HIV.
• Ask your healthcare provider about PrEP, the HIV prevention medication.
• Learn the basics about HIV; so much has changed since the early days of the epidemic.
• Combat HIV stigma by treating people living with HIV with respect and compassion.

Read Montgomery County's "Plan to End HIV" here.