This National HIV Testing Day the STD/HIV Program (SHP) is introducing, Start It! Louisiana, a statewide campaign that will be implemented, June 24 – 27, 2019 that encourages conversations about sexual health. The Start It! Louisiana campaign seeks to normalize sexual health without disregarding the barriers Louisiana citizens encounter due to access, systemic racism, and personal constraints. The goal of the Start It! Louisiana campaign is to mobilize, normalize, and support Louisiana citizens in their sexual health.
Why Should I Start It?
We all should start practicing sexual health because we want to protect ourselves and our partners from STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections). Of the estimated 25,600 people living with HIV in Louisiana 1 in 5 are un-diagnosed and unaware of their status (Click here for more info). Like most STIs we don’t know we are living with them until we are tested for them. Fortunately there’s treatment for all STIs and some are even curable. Consider this as our way of starting the conversation with you about sexual health. Start sharing the knowledge you’ve learned and encourage family friends partners and even yourself to start: PrEP, using condoms, talking with loved ones, using treatment, and getting tested.
Who can Start It?
Everyone! Sexual health is something that everyone can start and share. It doesn’t matter what age you are, what ethnic background you’re from, what your sexual orientation is, or what’s your gender identity, it matters that you start sexual health. This could be as minimal as having the conversation about sexual health, or we can kick it up a bit and start PrEP, and even explore U=U.
How can I Start It?
Start Talking
Sometimes talking about sexual health is the most difficult thing to do. How do you talk about sex without making it awkward? Honestly there’s no perfect way to do it, it just matters that you do and we have tips to help you Start It!
Start Testing
Getting tested can save your life. It doesn’t matter what the results are it just matters that you’re healthy. We can provide you with the tools you’ll need to remain healthy, like PrEP, HIV Treatment, and condoms. So don’t be intimidated start getting tested! For National HIV Testing Day we are doing statewide testing from June 24-27. Scroll down to see who’s testing near you!
Start Treatment
Today there’s treatment and cures for all STDs. It doesn’t matter if your test results come back positive or negative, it matters that you get the right treatment to keep you healthy! People living with HIV can now achieve an Undetectable status which means if we are living with HIV and take our medication as prescribed we can become undetectable and can’t transmit HIV to other people (U=U).
Start PrEP
Did your know there’s a pill to prevent HIV? It’s called PrEP, when this pill is taken daily it can drastically reduce your chances of contracting HIV more than 90%. It doesn’t matter how you protect yourself it just matters that you do.
Where can I Start It?
During the activation of Start It! Louisiana June 24 – 27, 2019 we are encouraging everyone to start testing for HIV, Syphilis, and Viral Hepatitis. Find your city below and see who’s going to be testing near you. You can also click here for a PDF version.
Alexandria
| Name of Event | Date | Time | Address | Services offered | Contact Person |
| “National HIV Testing Day” | 6/27/19 | 1pm – 5pm | 1785 Jackson St Alexandria, LA 71301 | FREE HIV, Hep C, and syphilis tests as well as treatment on site if client is experiencing symptoms | Robby Gray 318-442-1010 robbyclass@yahoo.com |
Baton Rouge
| Name of Event | Date | Time | Address | Services offered | Contact Person |
| “National HIV Testing Day” | 6/27/19 | 24 hours starting at 8:00am on 6/27/2019 | 4560 North Blvd., Suite 100, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 | FREE HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Rapid tests | AJ Johnson (225) 268-9336 stdaids@aol.com |
| Name of Event | Date | Time | Address | Services offered | Contact Person |
| “National HIV Testing Day ” | 6/27/19 | 10am-7pm | 5450 Plank Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70805 (Walgreens) | FREE HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Rapid tests | Courtney Bradley or Evelyn Gibson (225) 927-9810 cbradley@fsgbr.org |
| 6/27/19 | 10am – 7pm | 5555 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (Walgreens) | FREE HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Rapid tests | Courtney Bradley or Evelyn Gibson (225) 927-9810 cbradley@fsgbr.org |
| Name of Event | Date | Time | Address | Services offered | Contact Person |
| “National HIV Testing Day” | 6/27/19 | 8:30 a.m. – 11:10 a.m. | Leo S. Butler Center – 950 East Washington Street, Baton Rouge | FREE HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Rapid tests | Shirley Lolis (225) 338-9333 slolismetro1@gmail.com |
| 6/27/19 | 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Martin Luther King Center – 4000 Gus Young, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 |
FREE HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Rapid tests | Shirley Lolis (225) 338-9333 slolismetro1@gmail.com |
|
| 6/27/19 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Walgreens on 3550 Government Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 | FREE HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Rapid tests | Shirley Lolis (225) 338-9333 slolismetro1@gmail.com |
| Name of Event | Date | Time | Address | Services offered | Contact Person | Special Note |
| “START IT! Louisiana” | 6/29/19 | 9am – 3pm | The Belle of Baton Rouge, 102 France Street, Baton Rouge, 70802 | FREE HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Rapid tests | Meta Smith Davis (225) 927-1269 meta.smith@ohcc.org |
Free concert for HIV Awareness; to focus on LGBTQ clients; educating and prescribing PrEP on the spot |
| Name of Event | Date | Time | Address | Services offered | Contact Person |
| “National HIV Testing Day ” | 6/27/19 | 10am-7pm | Walgreen’s @ 11297 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70815 | FREE HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Rapid tests |
Rhonda Irving
(225) 775-7988
|
Gretna
| Name of Event | Date | Time | Address | Services offered | Contact Person | Special Note |
| “START IT! Louisiana” | 6/24/19 | 10am-5pm | 12A Westbank Expressway, Gretna, LA 70053 | FREE HIV test | Tonja Walston 504-309-6057 twalston@phc-no.org |
Each person tested will be entered into a raffle to win a $100 Visa gift card. Anyone who brings a friend to be tested will receive a $20 gift card. Snacks, games throughout the day |
| “START IT! Louisiana” | 6/25/19 | 10am-5pm | 12A Westbank Expressway, Gretna, LA 70053 | FREE HIV test | Tonja Walston 504-309-6057 twalston@phc-no.org |
Each person tested will be entered into a raffle to win a $100 Visa gift card. Anyone who brings a friend to be tested will receive a $20 gift card. Snacks, games throughout the day |
| “START IT! Louisiana” | 6/26/19 | 10am-5pm | 12A Westbank Expressway, Gretna, LA 70053 | FREE HIV test | Tonja Walston 504-309-6057 twalston@phc-no.org |
Each person tested will be entered into a raffle to win a $100 Visa gift card. Anyone who brings a friend to be tested will receive a $20 gift card. Snacks, games throughout the day |
| “START IT! Louisiana” | 6/27/19 | 10am-5pm | 12A Westbank Expressway, Gretna, LA 70053 | FREE HIV test | Tonja Walston 504-309-6057 twalston@phc-no.org |
Each person tested will be entered into a raffle to win a $100 Visa gift card. Anyone who brings a friend to be tested will receive a $20 gift card. Snacks, games throughout the day |
Hammond
| Name of Event | Date | Time | Address | Services offered | Contact Person |
| “National HIV Testing Day” | 6/27/19 | 10am-7pm | 1910 W Thomas St., Hammond LA 70401 (Walgreens) | FREE HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Rapid tests | Anthony James anthony.james@la.gov 504-568-7484 |
Houma
| Name of Event | Date | Time | Address | Services offered | Contact Person | Special Note |
| “National HIV Testing Day” | 6/24/19-6/26/19 | 8:00am-4:30pm | 235 Civic Center Blvd, Houma LA 70360 | FREE HIV, Syphilis tests | Tiffanie Smith 985-333-2010 tiffanie.smith@startcorp.org |
|
| 6/27/19 | 8:00am-4:30pm | 420 Magnolia Street, Houma LA 70360 | FREE HIV and syphilis tests | Tiffanie Smith 985-333-2010 tiffanie.smith@startcorp.org |
Snacks will be provided and a raffle will be conducted. |
Lafayette
| Name of Event | Date | Time | Address | Services offered | Contact Person |
| “National HIV Testing Day” | 6/27/19 | 9am-4pm | 809 Martin Luther King Drive, Lafayette LA 70501 | FREE HIV, syphilis, Hep C rapid tests | Swan Bonnet 337-233-2437 swan.bonnet@acadiana.org |
Lake Charles
| Name of Event | Date | Time | Address | Services offered | Contact Person |
| “National HIV Testing Day” | 6/27/19 | 10am – 7pm | 2636 Ryan Street, Lake Charles LA 70601 (Walgreen’s) | FREE HIV tests | Jacob Schei 337-478-4822 ext. 11 jacob.schei@swlahec.comtara.gary@swlahec.com Phone: 337.478.4822 ext. 14 |
| 6/27/19 | 8am – 4pm | 808 Walters Street, Lake Charles, LA 70605 Resource & Wellness Center | FREE HIV tests | Jacob Schei 337-478-4822 ext. 11 jacob.schei@swlahec.comtara.gary@swlahec.com Phone: 337.478.4822 ext. 14 |
|
| 6/27/19 | 9am – 4pm | 1800 Orchid Street, Lake Charles LA 70605 (Warren Methodist) | FREE HIV tests | Jacob Schei 337-478-4822 ext. 11 jacob.schei@swlahec.comtara.gary@swlahec.com Phone: 337.478.4822 ext. 14 |
Marrero
| Name of Event | Date | Time | Address | Services offered | Contact Person | Special Note |
| “START IT! Louisiana” | 6/24/19 | 10am-5pm | 4700 Wichers Drive, Marrero LA 70072 | FREE HIV test | Tonja Walston 504-309-6057 twalston@phc-no.org |
Each person tested will be entered into a raffle to win a $100 Visa gift card. Anyone who brings a friend to be tested will receive a $20 gift card. Snacks, games throughout the day |
| “START IT! Louisiana” | 6/25/19 | 10am-5pm | 4700 Wichers Drive, Marrero LA 70072 | FREE HIV test | Tonja Walston 504-309-6057 twalston@phc-no.org |
Each person tested will be entered into a raffle to win a $100 Visa gift card. Anyone who brings a friend to be tested will receive a $20 gift card. Snacks, games throughout the day |
| “START IT! Louisiana” | 6/26/19 | 10am-5pm | 4700 Wichers Drive, Marrero LA 70072 | FREE HIV test | Tonja Walston 504-309-6057 twalston@phc-no.org |
Each person tested will be entered into a raffle to win a $100 Visa gift card. Anyone who brings a friend to be tested will receive a $20 gift card. Snacks, games throughout the day |
| “START IT! Louisiana” | 6/27/19 | 10am-5pm | 4700 Wichers Drive, Marrero LA 70072 | FREE HIV test | Tonja Walston 504-309-6057 twalston@phc-no.org |
Each person tested will be entered into a raffle to win a $100 Visa gift card. Anyone who brings a friend to be tested will receive a $20 gift card. Snacks, games throughout the day |
Metairie
| Name of Event | Date | Time | Address | Services offered | Contact Person | Special Note |
| 6/27/19 | 11am-2pm | 1300 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie LA 70005 | FREE HIV, Syphilis tests | Veronica Magee 504-566-7955 vmagee@brotherhood.org |
Raffling two 32 inch TVs and other giveaways like umbrellas, mugs, USB flash drives, decorative fans, squeeze bottles and safer sex kits. |
Monroe
| Name of Event | Date | Time | Address | Services offered | Contact Person | Special Note |
| “Awareness Is Knowledge” | 6/27/19 | 8 am-4pm | 1801 North 7th Street, suite A |
FREE HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Rapid tests | Gwendolyn Guillory gwen@go-care.org 318-325-1092 ext. 113 |
Refreshments will be served. No appointments needed |
New Orleans
| Name of Event | Date | Time | Address | Services offered | Contact Person |
| “START IT! Louisiana” | 6/24/19 | 1pm-3pm | 4607 Downman Rd., New Orleans, LA 70126 (Love In Action) | FREE HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Rapid tests | Delicia Parker / Tamachia McCaa
504-228-3483/ 504-610-8471 d.parker7@yahoo.com / tamachia76@gmail.com |
| 6/25/19 | 1pm-3pm | Claiborne Bridge(Across from Kermit’s Mother In Law Lounge) | FREE HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Rapid tests | ||
| 6/26/19 | 1pm-3pm | 1802 Magnolia St., New Orleans LA 70113 (Keller Market) | FREE HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Rapid tests | ||
| 6/27/19 | 10am-7pm | 1100 Elysian Fields Ave., New Orleans LA 70117 (Walgreens) | FREE HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Rapid tests | ||
| 6/28/19 | 1pm-3pm | 5104 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans LA 70117 (La Express) | FREE HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Rapid tests |
| Name of Event | Date | Time | Address | Services offered | Contact Person |
| “National HIV Testing Day ” | 6/27/19 | 10am-6pm | 3216 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans LA 70122 (Walgreens) | FREE HIV test | Angelita Brown 504-599-7712 ext. 21 abrown@iwesnola.org |
| Name of Event | Date | Time | Address | Services offered | Contact Person | Special Note |
| “National HIV Testing Day” | 6/27/19 | 10am-7pm | 4001 Canal Street, New Orleans LA 70119 (Walgreens) | FREE HIV, Syphilis test. | Veronica Magee 504-566-7955 vmagee@brotherhood.org |
Giving away a pair of ESSENCE tickets, one 30 day bus pass, and other giveaways like umbrellas, mugs, USB flash drives, decorative fans, squeeze bottles and safer sex kits. |
| 6/27/19 | 10am-7pm | 2418 S. Claiborne, New Orleans LA 70125 (Walgreens) | FREE HIV, Syphilis tests | Veronica Magee 504-566-7955 vmagee@brotherhood.org |
Raffling two 32 inch TVs and other giveaways like umbrellas, mugs, USB flash drives, decorative fans, squeeze bottles and safer sex kits. |
| Name of Event | Date | Time | Address | Services offered | Contact Person |
| “START IT! Louisiana” | 6/24/19 – 6/25/19 | 4:30pm-7:30pm | 1631 Elysian Fields Ave., New Orleans LA 70117 | FREE HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Rapid tests | Joey Olsen 504-821-2040 joseph.olsen@crescentcare.org |
| 6/26/19 | 12pm-8pm | 1631 Elysian Fields Ave., New Orleans LA 70117 (Wellness Center) | FREE HIV, Syphilis,Hep C Rapid tests, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia test | Joey Olsen 504-821-2040 joseph.olsen@crescentcare.org |
|
| 6/27/19 | 9am-7:30pm | 1631 Elysian Fields Ave., New Orleans LA 70117 | FREE HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Rapid tests | Joey Olsen 504-821-2040 joseph.olsen@crescentcare.org |
| Name of Event | Date | Time | Address | Services offered | Contact Person | Special Note |
| “IPrevent” | 6/24/19 | 3pm-6pm | 219 Loyola Ave, New Orleans LA 70112 (Main Library) | FREE HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Rapid tests | Helena Likaj 504-599-7712 ext. 21 abrown@iwesnola.org |
|
| 6/26/19 | 10am-1pm | 3155 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans LA 70122 (Gentilly Wellness) | FREE HIV, Syphilis,Hep C Rapid tests, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia test | Helena Likaj 504-599-7712 ext. 21 abrown@iwesnola.org |
||
| 6/27/19 | 12pm-7pm | 2906 Desire Pkwy, New Orleans LA 70126 (Desire Housing Dev.) | FREE HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Rapid tests | Helena Likaj 504-599-7712 ext. 21 abrown@iwesnola.org |
IPrevent will be hosting a block party | |
| 6/28/19 | 10am-1pm | 3155 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans LA 70122 (Gentilly Wellness) | FREE HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Rapid tests | Helena Likaj 504-599-7712 ext. 21 abrown@iwesnola.org |
Shreveport
| Name of Event | Date | Time | Address | Services offered | Contact Person |
| “National HIV Testing Day” | 6/27/19 | 10am – 7pm | Walgreen’s 3100 North Market Street, Shreveport, LA 71107 | FREE HIV tests | Virginia Player (318) 222-6633 ext 2114 vplayer@philadelphiacenter.org |
| 6/27/19 | 9am -4pm | The Philadelphia Center 2020 Centenary Blvd, Shreveport | FREE HIV, Syphilis and Hep C Rapid tests | Virginia Player (318) 222-6633 ext 2114 vplayer@philadelphiacenter.org |