LGBTQIA-Responsive Services at Wheeler

Wheeler understands the unique health care needs of the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as their families and allies, and we offer a full continuum of affirming, integrated primary and behavioral health care services. Every day, we acknowledge, affirm, and celebrate our LGBTQ+ clients, patients, students, and staff.

Call our Navigation Center at 888.793.3500 to make your appointment today!

Walk With Me is provided in our federally qualified health centers at:

Walk With Me - Walk With Me is a specialized outpatient treatment track for LGBTQ+-identifying people of all ages, their families, and allies who are seeking therapeutic and/or peer support to address their specific needs. The Walk with Me track is designed to create a safe, affirming, and inclusive array of services for LGBTQ+ people, their loved ones, their allies, and the community where they can be validated, explore their identities, reduce feelings of isolation, strengthen their support system, and develop skills to cope with stress and stigma. With an emphasis on treating the whole person, this track includes a dedicated team of behavioral health, medical, and peer support staff to provide robust wrap-around services that are tailored to meet the needs of each unique patient--
wherever they are on their journey.

RELATED: Meet the Walk With Me team.
RELATED: Read the story of the donation that is supporting Walk With Me

NEW: Wheeler Health Expands Services for LGBTQ+ Community with $110,000 Grant from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation
NEW: Gender Exploration Group in Waterbury. Please click on the thumbnail to learn more.
NEW: AFFIRM. A new group starting at our Family Health & Wellness Centers. AFFIRM uses an evidence-based approach to help LGBTQIA+ adults manage stress! Ask your provider about AFFIRM days and times!

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) Prescriptions are available through our on-site Genoa Healthcare pharmacies. PrEP is a prescription medication that can prevent HIV for HIV-negative individuals.

PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) is also available. When started soon after exposure to HIV, PEP therapy reduces your chance of becoming HIV-positive. These medications keep HIV from making copies of itself and spreading through your body. PEP therapy at Wheeler generally involves several prescription medications, taken for about a month after exposure.

HIV Treatment. While there is no effective cure for HIV, you can control HIV with proper medical care. Wheeler providers offer antiretroviral therapy (ART) that reduces the amount of virus in your body, and many people find they can get the virus under control in a several months.

Hepatitis C screening and treatment. Screening and treatment of Hepatitis is vital to prevent and control the disease in populations disproportionally affected by it, such as the LGTBTQIA+ community.

Gender-affirming hormone therapy for adults 18+. Gender affirmation hormone therapy is a prescription treatment that helps people gain the outward characteristics that match their gender identity.

Foster Care. Wheeler is a statewide leader in foster care, and we welcome and affirm the LGBTQIA+ community's commitment to providing safe, loving households for youth in the foster care system.

LEARN MORE: Foster Care Programs at Wheeler
A Story of Hope: Building a Family, Strengthening a Community: John and Brian Pica-Sneeden

LGBTQIA+ Advisory Board. Meeting quarterly, Wheeler's LGBTQIA+ Advisory Board is a group of passionate individuals dedicated to ensuring the LGBTQIA+ community is provided equitable access to innovative care that improves health, recovery, and growth at all stages of life by strengthening and expanding on all services through identity affirming care.

The Board is looking for additional passionate individuals who are interested in helping Wheeler in this mission by regular attendance and participation in monthly meetings. The Board is especially interested in connecting with members of the LGBTQIA+ community who are currently participating in services at any of our Wheeler site locations. Also, Wheeler staff who have interest or experience providing care to the LGBTQIA+ community are encouraged to join. If you have any questions or would like to become a board member, please contact Monique Daley at mdaley@wheelerclinic.org.

LGBTQIA History Month and Pride Month. Join us in October as we celebrate LGTBTQIA+ History Month at Wheeler, and again in June for Pride Month. With moments of observation, recognition of special days, organization-wide events, and more, we honor and affirm our LGBTQIA+ patients, staff, and community.

Supporting the LGBTQIA Community

Wheeler is a proud sponsor of the organizations, events, and moments that make Connecticut's LGBTQIA community vibrant and healthy. Some recent relationships include:

FEATURED MEMBER

LGBTQIA HEALTH RESOURCES