LOS ANGELES (April 19, 2021) In observance of National Transgender HIV Testing Day, Bienestar Human Services, a unique non-profit social service organization dedicated to health, equality and justice for the Latinx, LGBTQ+ and other underserved communities, is hosting a city-wide HIV testing initiative to address the health disparities endured by the transgender community.

“The rate of HIV infection for transgender women is on the rise and it’s important that we show up, continue to get tested and know our status,” says Brenda Del Rio Gonzalez, Program Manager of Transgéneros Unidas at Bienestar. “When our community knows their status, they can make the right decisions to protect and improve their health.”

The CDC’s NHBS-Trans report found that 42 percent of transgender women surveyed in seven major US cities have HIV; 62 percent of Black transgender women and 35 percent of Latina transgender women who were surveyed have HIV, compared to 17 percent of White transgender women.

Transgéneros Unidas, the first Los Angeles-based program to focus on the health disparities of the transgender community, will set up HIV testing sites throughout Los Angeles this Monday, April 19th from 12pm to 4pm. Each location is equipped with culturally specific services provided in both English and Spanish to remove any barriers to needed care, treatment, and psychosocial services.

“Through Bienestar, Transgéneros Unidas has been serving the Latina transgender community for the past 25 years, making us the first in Los Angeles,” says Robert Contreras, Bienestar President and CEO. “We are proud to provide HIV testing and other health services to our community in safe spaces that remove the stigma and discrimination from our health care system and protect the transgender community who are all too often the recipients of hate violence.”

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Bienestar Human Services 

Founded in 1989, Bienestar Human Services is a unique non-profit social service organization committed to improving health, equality and justice for the Latinx, LGBTQ+, and other underserved communities. Bienestar accomplishes this by creating a safe haven and access to comprehensive services; and leading with research, advocacy, and mobilization based on community need. The organization uses an innovative and compassionate professional peer model that is 100% culturally relevant to its constituents. Clients are met with understanding and acceptance that builds trust and fosters a unique sense of family.

Bienestar Human Services has six community centers strategically placed throughout Southern California linking vulnerable populations to information, services and support. Key services include:

1. Health and wellbeing education & advancement.
2. HIV, STDs, Hepatitis C prevention and screenings.
3. Case Management, Client Navigation and Linkage to medical care and supportive services.
4. Outpatient behavioral health treatment dealing with mental health and substance abuse disorders.
5. Support groups and social-cultural activities that build self-esteem, a sense of community and creates an environment for self-acceptance among LGBT individuals, their loved ones and family members.
6. Community engagement and empowerment programs which provide participants the opportunity to address the social determinants of health, economic and social justice and civil rights issues that impact their health and wellbeing.