Substance Use and Sexual Health: An Open, Stigma-Free Conversation
The Center’s HIV & Sexual Health Services Manager Brandy Andrews, and Substance Use Treatment Counselor Freddy Perez, talk about these important topics from their perspectives as both service providers and members of the Center community.
The LGBT Community Center has long worked with LGBTQ+ New Yorkers on taking care of their health, including supporting them in managing their substance use and sexual health.
Sexual activity and substance use, especially within the LGBTQ+ community, can be hard to talk about. Our society views these activities as shameful, and service providers and clinicians have reported some links between substance use, sexual activity, and personal trauma. Additionally, in cities throughout the U.S., some types of substance use and sexual activities may even be criminalized. In the rare instances when we do find spaces to discuss these behaviors, the conversations are often narrowly focused on abstinence, or only acknowledge a limited range of experiences.
We sat down with The Center’s HIV & Sexual Health Services Manager Brandy Andrews, and Substance Use Treatment Counselor Freddy Perez, to talk about these important topics from their perspectives as both service providers and members of the Center community.