The Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities

Happy Halloween from all of us here at the Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities!

The area is rich with history and culture! To celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day, you can check out this guide to the history of Washtenaw County's indigenous populations: https://libguides.wccnet.edu/indigenouspeople

Happy Fall! We hope you can enjoy the colorful leaves and warm flavors of the season.

Celebrate Bisexuality Day.

In Michigan, 6% of the adult population identifies as LGBTQ+. Given bisexual people make up more than half of the LGBTQ+ population nationally, that means around 3% of Michiganders are bisexual. Let's show them support by avoiding harmful myths about bisexuality and promoting inclusion.

https://glaad.org/on-celebrate-bisexuality-day-glaad-uplifts-the-bisexual-community-and-offers-resources-for-fair-and-accurate-coverage/

Help Improve Health Outcomes in Your Community – Join Our Young Men's Health Study Today!

Are you interested in being paid for your opinion? We are looking for young Black men, aged 18-24, living in the United States, to participate in a study regarding attitudes towards STI screening and testing, as well as preferences for sexual and preventative health content on social media.

Participants will complete an online survey and then have a 45-minute confidential virtual interview. The goal is to gather insights for a social media program aimed at reducing health and sexual risk behaviors among young Black males. Participants will receive a $50 gift card for their time.

Click to Register: https://umich.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0BdGn1oiWFy3QBU

This September is focused on su***de prevention. The risk of su***de is particularly high for young people, LGBTQ+ people, and people with mental health issues. While women are more likely to attempt su***de, men are more likely to die by su***de. We can all do our part to help reduce the su***de rate by offering help to those who need it.

If you or someone one you know is in need of help, call or text 988. It will connect you with a trained crisis counselor. 988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365.

We are off for Labor Day. We hope you enjoy the day, as well as this chance to remember the work we have to do to advance workers' rights.

It is time to pack your pencils and buy your books! The University of Michigan is welcoming students into the dorms and to the campus. Welcome back and Go Blue!

Summer is still sizzling, but September, school, and students are soon to be here. If you haven't already, try to find time to enjoy Tree Town's many outdoor spaces. The water won't be getting any warmer!

We do it a bit differently in Ann Arbor. Our Pride event is the kickoff for August, instead of June. But that doesn't stop the city for showing out for the LGBTQ+ community! We hope to see you there!

https://www.annarborpride.com/

Hail to the Victors.... of the World? Michiganders and Michigan Wolverines alike are competing in the upcoming Paris Olympics. While many are competing for the USA, there are a total of 22 countries being represented by someone with University of Michigan ties. We wish all these exceptional athletes good luck at bringing home a gold medal or two!

Learn about the Olympians:
https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/07/19/michigan-olympians-competing-in-the-paris-games

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/athletes-with-michigan-wolverine-ties-competing-at-2024-olympics/ar-BB1qhinM

Retirement? Hardly! The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is celebrating 65 years, with the other two art fairs coming in at 55 and 56 years. Remember to stay cool and shaded if you walk the fair!

Michigan Central Station has long been a source of shame for the city of Detroit. The beautiful former train station originally opened in 1913, but was abandoned in 1988. After decades of neglect, it is now renovated and ready to be a positive symbol of Detroit again! To celebrate the reopening, you can currently explore the refurbished first floor. Learn more at: https://michigancentral.com/

Pride is here, and Michigan is out and proud! Motor City Pride takes place this weekend, so anyone in the area can see how Detroit does Pride. All are welcome in Detroit City!

https://motorcitypride.org/

Summer is here and that means it is time to come out into the sun! Pride Month is all about being comfortable and proud of your identity and place in the LGBTQ+ community. No matter how your identify, you are not alone.

Happy Pride Month!

The Center is off today for Memorial Day. We hope that you can take this time to remember all of the service members who contributed in the most profound way to our country.

This year is the city of Ann Arbor's Bicentennial. After losing the bid for the state capital site, the young town became the home of the University of Michigan. 'Treetown' has been growing ever since. Come celebrate this Saturday and the rest of the year for 200 more years of A2!

https://www.a2bicentennial.org/events

It is now Mental Health May, a month to raise awareness of the role that your brain plays in your health. You might not recognize that changes to your mind and body can be a sign of mental health issues. Even things such as headaches, unexplained pain, or stomach aches can be related to mental health conditions. Not sure where to start looking for help? We have a list of local resources here: https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/psychiatry/mental-health-resource-list

You can also go to FindSupport.gov for more options.

We want to take this opportunity to celebrate all the nurses that make Michigan Medicine and every healthcare setting successful. We are continuously working at the School of Nursing to educate those that can make a difference in their community. Great nursing can make all the difference in healthcare. Happy National Nurses Week!

It is well known that stress is usually bad, but did you know that untreated, long-term stress can cause health problems? It might seem complicated to address, but even short, simple acts can help you feel better. Whether it is a walk through the Arb, meditating on Belle Isle, or even just looking at local flowers, you can help lower your stress levels.

Happy Earth Day! Every one of us can make a difference in promoting a healthy Earth. Let us focus this year on removing plastic pollution, particularly from our waterways and oceans. We can have a plastic-free planet if we work to achieve it.

Many sexually transmitted infections do not produce symptoms at first, and they are only noticed when they cause health complications. If you are sexually active, regular STI tests should be a part of your health checkups. There are a number of treatment options that can be more effective if identified early. There is no shame in knowing your status and taking care of your sexual health!