The 2SLGBTQIA+ community is constantly reminded of the impact HIV has had on our community for decades. Across Canada, members of the community have been disproportionately affected by the virus, especially gender diverse, Black, Indigenous, and racialized community members.
Even today, it’s estimated that about 13% of folks who have HIV are unaware of their status. Despite the recommendation for regular testing, many 2SLGBTQIA+ folks continue to face barriers to regular HIV tests. Some of these barriers can include:
Stigma from peers and professionals for being tested
Prejudice/discrimination from medical institutions and staff
Fear of indoor or enclosed public spaces amid the COVID-19 pandemic
Fear of testing positive for HIV
Fear of needles or blood work
Lack of time to get tested
Lack of transportation to testing locations
While HIV seems very daunting, knowing your HIV status is key to limiting viral transmission. This gives those living with HIV the ability to manage the infection with medication. This medication can help those living with HIV achieve an undetectable viral load, and live long and healthy lives.
Because Undetectable=Untransmissable (U=U), knowing your HIV status is the best way you can protect yourself and your community. Normalizing regular testing and knowing your HIV status also helps to fight stigma attached to testing and for those living with HIV.
One solution to many barriers to testing faced by 2SLGBTQIA+ folks is HIV self-testing kits. Approved for use in Canada in 2020, these kits offer a low-barrier way for community members to screen for HIV.
Thanks to the Test Now project, community members aged 18 and older can get free INSTI HIV Self Test kits. Our Peer N Peer program is offering free HIV self-testing to all 18+ members of the community from now until February 10th, 2022.
Sounds easy, right? They’re also faster than traditional blood testing; the INSTI HIV Self Test requires only a finger prick and a few drops of blood. The process is much less invasive than getting blood drawn and also faster, providing results in minutes.
If you want to see the kits in action, check out this video produced by the Community Based Research Centre demystifying the process featuring Canadian model Travis L’Henaff.
In the event that your result tests positive for HIV, you ought to remember that knowledge is power. The knowledge of your HIV status helps you make positive choices around your personal health, protect your fellow community members, and fight HIV stigma. Check out the video below to see what a positive test result looks like on the INSTI HIV Self Test.