Health Education & Prevention PRograms

The Gay & Lesbian Center of Long Beach is dedicated to helping you maintaining your health and reducing your risk around drugs, alcohol, and sexually transmitted diseases. Our Health Education and Prevention programs and various other support systems can help you avoid health problems that unreasonably affect the gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual communities. The Center staff and volunteers commit providing accurate and appropriate information and referrals and by taking action to advocate for and empower our community.

HEALTH EDUCATION ACTION TEAM (H.E.A.T.)

This Long Beach City funded project provides individual level counseling focused on reducing risk behaviors that can directly link to HIV and STD infection and substance abuse. Harm reduction is a pragmatic approach that meets clients “where they are.” It encourages people to envision and define positive change for themselves, with the understanding that health can improve even without the total elimination of behaviors that increase HIV-related risk or drug use.

Participation in the program is voluntary and can be done by contacting staff via phone, email, or by walk-in.

For more information contact the Health Education Program staff at (562) 434-4455 or healthed@centerlb.org

Get Tested At The Center Free HIV testing. For information about testing dates please contact: our Community Health Coordinator listed below. Click here to download flyer >> HIV Counseling & Testing The Center Long Beach offers HIV rapid testing on site from 3:00 PM to 8:30 PM Monday thru Thursday 3:00 to 8:30 PM Walk-Ins welcome Friday Noon to 4:00 PM Appointments available Referrals for HIV & STI Testing The following venues provide either HIV or STD testing in the Long Beach area. Fees and schedules are subject to change, please call in advance to assure services are available. Bienestar Human Services 1020 E. Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, CA (562) 591-5191 HIV testing only; Monday-Friday 9:00am to 6:00pm The CARE Clinic 1043 Elm Avenue #300, Long Beach, CA (562) 624-4900 HIV testing only; Monday-Wednesday 8:00am to 11:00am and 1:00pm to 3:00pm Center for Behavioral Research & Services 1090 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, CA (562) 495-2330 HIV & STD testing - call ahead for dates and times City of Long Beach Health Department 2525 Grand Avenue, Long Beach, CA (562) 570-4315 HIV & STI testing and treatment - Monday-Friday 8:00am to 3:00pm; $120 fee may apply Out of the Closet 3500 E. Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, CA (562) 494-0340 HIV testing only - Everyday 11:00am to 5:00pm

MPower Long Beach
An LGBT Social Young Adult Network

This weekly social group is intended to focus on LGBT young adults (ages 18-30) who want to meet local, active and community minded individuals outside of the bar, club or party scene. The MPLB Social Network meets at The Gay & Lesbian Center of Long Beach on Wednesdays from 7:00-9:00pm and discusses a variety of topics and participates in local community events. Once a month and throughout the year the group plan local social events that promote the empowerment of LGBT youth and young adults by example and open, honest conversations about what really is on the mind of LGBT young adults.

For further information contact: Ismael Morales Community Health Coordinator The Center Long Beach 562-434-4455, ext. 234 ismaelm@centerlb.org