Allies for Health + Wellbeing

It's finally fall! 🍂Temps are dropping, and we're missing that fun in the sun. If you need a place to cozy up indoors and hang in a q***r community space, Project Silk is going strong with Game and Craft nights this month!

Game Nights happen EVERY Thursday, and Craft Nights occur EVERY Wednesday. This space is for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC people ages 13-29. Have any questions? You can always email Curtis at [email protected] or call 412-935-2525 to learn more. Allies and our partners Proud Haven and TransYOUniting would love to see you there! All controllers, dice, games, scissors, materials, etc. provided — you just need to bring your brilliant self.

We will be closed from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
🌈Who: Open to BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ individuals ages 13-29
📍Where: QMNTY Center, 525 E. Ohio St.
⏰ When: 5-7pm
🎨 Craft Nights: Every Wednesday, November 6, 13, 20 and 27
🕹️Game Nights (PS4, Nintendo Switch, & board games): Every Thursday!, November 7, 14 and 21
🕺Vogue Night: November 26 (Last Tuesday of every month)
💰Cost: Free!

[Image Description: There are two triangular photo frames laid on top of a yellow background with pink-lined illustrations of crafting scissors, thread, and a gaming controller. In one photo frame is a blue-haired, white androgynous person smiling. In the other are two masculine people of color in coats, one wearing a beanie, also smiling. Text reads: Project Silk @ QMNTY Center. Craft Night. Game Night. Open to BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ Individuals Ages 13-29.]

Allies staff got into the spooky spirit yesterday with a Halloween party and costume contest. Congratulations to community health team member Justin, who took home the prize for best costume! Shout out to Allies' Wellness Committee and director of clinical services Jacque DeRubbo (whose skeleton costume and makeup were 🔥🔥🔥) for organizing the festivities!

No matter what concerns or fears you might have, Allies staff is committed to listening to your needs and responding with compassionate, judgment-free, customized care.

🎃Have you been putting off routine gynecological care because you've struggled to find a place with gender-affirming staff? Try Allies.

🎃Have you wanted to get tested but are afraid of the results? Our team will walk you through everything you need to know and hold your hand every step of the way — no matter what your results are.

🎃Have you been curious about PrEP but unsure how it works or what the side effects might be? Make an appointment today to speak with our knowledgeable staff, who can answer all your questions and help set you up with the medication plan that is right for you.

Call 412-345-7456 or visit www.alliespgh.org/ today to make an appointment! Sexual health doesn't have to be scary. Let Allies help alleviate your fears so we can focus on what we should actually be afraid of… 👻👽🧛

[Image Description: A Black feminine person looks worried, even frightened while holding their hands to their face. They are wearing an orange sweater and have hair in a short, braided, style. Behind them is a Halloween-esque night sky with a full moon behind dark clouds. Text Reads: Sexual Health Giving You a Fright? Allies can help!]

Do you need an eye exam?

Allies is partnering with the University of Pittsburgh to offer FREE eye screenings to those who are uninsured, underinsured or face other barriers to care.

The screenings will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9. Appointments are required, and limited spots are available.

For more information or to sign up, call 412-345-0596.

Be Proactive, Be Well

Mpox is a pain, literally. Keep yourself healthy by getting two doses of the mpox vaccine. It's safe and effective.

Learn More
vaccinesforlife.health.pa.gov

There’s no need to be scared of mpox – it’s easily preventable with the mpox vaccine. With two doses, four weeks apart, you’ll have maximum coverage against mpox.

Best of all, you can get your mpox vaccine at Allies as part of your regular care! Talk to your provider about whether or not the mpox vaccine is recommended for you, and call us at 412-345-7456 to schedule your first vaccine. No tricks – just prevention!

[Image description: Two jack-o-lanterns are lit in front of a dark, spooky background.]

Kids play hard. Keep them on their toes with proactive steps to be well. Talk to your pediatrician about vaccines.

Be Proactive, Be Well

Learn More
vaccinesforlife.health.pa.gov

Be Proactive, Be Well

The mpox vaccine has a strong track record. It's proven to prevent illness & painful symptoms. Talk to your doctor today.

Learn More: vaccinesforlife.health.pa.gov

⭐ The incubation period for mpox is 3-17 days. You might not have any symptoms during the incubation period after exposure.
⭐ The most common mpox symptom is a rash. It can initially look like pimples or blisters and is painful and itchy, and it will usually scab before healing.
⭐ Other symptoms can include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle aches and backache, headache, and respiratory symptoms.
⭐ The CDC thinks that some people may be able to spread mpox before their symptoms appear.
⭐ Mpox is related to smallpox!
⭐ Mpox vaccines are safe and effective and provide the best protection against mpox.
⭐ If you've already had 1 of the 2 mpox vaccines, you can still get the second one at any time!

If you're a gay or bis*xual man, or a trans, nonbinary, or gender-expansive person, and if you've had more than one s*xual partner in the past month, then it's recommended that you get vaccinated. And if you have s*xual or intimate contact with anyone in the description above, then it's also recommended that you get vaccinated.

Call 412-345-7456 or visit www.alliespgh.org to make an appointment to get vaccinated or get your second vaccination today!

[Image Description: Against a bright yellow background with a blue triangle, text reads: Did you know? Facts about Mpox.]

Looking out for their total health and wellness includes keeping them up to date on preventative vaccines.

Be Proactive, Be Well

Learn More
vaccinesforlife.health.pa.gov

Allies therapist Matthew Reinhart takes the mystery out of therapy. Learn about what to expect from a therapy appointment in this article from our friends at QBurgh!

Mind and Body: How Therapy at Allies Supports Holistic Health Advertisement According to Matthew Reinhart, LPC, therapist at Allies for Health + Wellbeing, everyone can benefit from therapy. “Everyone has trauma,” he said. “Everyone has stress. Having a dedic…

Be Proactive, Be Well.

Mpox is a pain, literally. Keep yourself healthy by getting two doses of the mpox vaccine. It's safe and effective.

Learn More: vaccinesforlife.health.pa.gov

Have you gotten your mpox vaccine? Gay men, bis*xual men, men who have s*x with men and those who are transgender, nonbinary or gender-diverse are more at risk of contracting mpox, which is spread through close, personal contact.

Mpox is not spread through s*x, but you can get it through skin-to-skin contact and exposure to saliva and other bodily fluids. Symptoms include a rash, fever, chills and respiratory symptoms.

The great news is that mpox is preventable with just two vaccines, and you can get vaccinated at Allies! Give us a call at 412-345-7456 to schedule your mpox vaccine today.

[Image description: Two young men are pictured embracing. On the left, a dark skinned man with curly hair and stubble smiles at the camera. On the right, a lighter skinned man with dark hair and a beard kisses the first man's cheek.]

Never forget to pick up your prescriptions again…because they're already in your mailbox!

The Allies pharmacy can ship your medications discreetly to your doorstep, and refills are just a text, call, or email away.

Call 412-643-3405 or visit alliespgh.org/services/pharmacy today to learn more about enrolling in our pharmacy services.

[Image Description: A brown cardboard shipping box floats against a cheerful blue background. Text reads: Free medication delivery. Get your prescriptions shipped discreetly — right to your door! The Allies Pharmacy logo is below the box.]

❣️Today is the Day! Project Silk presents the Rebirth KiKi Ball! Tonight, will be full of trophies, grand prizes, good food, and great vibes! All are welcome! This is a FREE EVENT! You can get your ticket at:

https://kelly-strayhorn.org/events/rebirth-kiki-ball/

📣We can also register you at the door!

📣Special Thanks to Gilead, True T PGH, and QMNTY Center.

Happy National Coming Out Day!!!

At Allies, we know it's not easy to come out and that our world doesn't always accept people as their authentic selves. But whether you're in the closet, fully out, somewhere in between, or figuring out who you are — Allies has your back.

LGBTQIA+ people deserve to live as their authentic selves, to live safely, to have equal access to healthcare and legal protections, and to love and be loved. Today, we're celebrating the q***r community and calling all allies to do their part to fight back against anti-LGBTQIA+ hate.

[Image Description: Text reads: Happy National Coming Out Day! An androgynous, Black q***r person smiles and waves two small progress flags. They are wearing beads, a watch, and a black tee shirt. They have short hair. The Allies logo is large and in the background.]

Test your vaccine knowledge! There is a lot of misinformation about vaccines out there – do you know how to spot it?

TRUE or FALSE? The term “vaccine” comes from the Latin word for cow.

TRUE. Edward Jenner, considered “the father of immunology,” discovered that exposing people to cowpox would protect them from the more dangerous smallpox. He called cowpox “Variolae vaccinae,” which means “pustules of the cow.” From this, we get the terms “vaccine” and “vaccination.”

TRUE or FALSE? Vaccines can cause severe side effects and even autism.

FALSE. Vaccines are safe. While some people do have mild side effects when they receive vaccines – pain at the injection site, tiredness, low-grade fever – more serious side effects are very rare. Vaccines do not cause autism – multiple studies over large populations have not shown any evidence of a link between vaccines and autism.

TRUE or FALSE? Vaccines can prevent cancer.

TRUE. Diseases such as hepatitis B and human papillomavirus (HPV) can lead to several different types of cancer. When you are vaccinated against hepatitis B and HPV, you also reduce your risk of developing cancers linked to these diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that the HPV vaccine can prevent more than 90% of cancers caused by the virus.

Are you up-to-date on your vaccinations? Talk to your healthcare provider today about what vaccines you may need. If you’re a patient at Allies, we can get you caught up with vaccines for hepatitis A and B, HPV, meningitis and pneumonia, mpox, tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough and influenza.

Give us a call at 412-345-7456 to make an appointment with our healthcare providers and keep yourself and your loved ones safe from preventable diseases.

Celebrate American Pharmacists Month with a visit to Allies' NEW pharmacy!

At Allies Pharmacy, our pharmacists take your well-being seriously. Not only do we offer the usual pharmacy services like prescription filling and consultations, but we also have pharmacy reps who can check in with you monthly to make sure your needs are being met. As an Allies patient, you can access a pharmacist for questions about your medications, including questions about side effects or interactions that might not be able to wait.

Now, in addition to having your medications mailed to you, you can get prescriptions filled right after your visit without having to take a bus, walk, or drive to a different location. We know distance and time are barriers to medical treatment, and Allies is committed to making your care as convenient as possible.

Don't have insurance but are interested in getting help with finding a plan that's right for you? Allies can connect you with someone who can help you with paperwork and enrollment.

At Allies, our pharmacists and our staff are here for you. Happy American Pharmacists Month!

Call 412-643-3405 or visit alliespgh.org/services/pharmacy today to learn more about enrolling in our pharmacy services.

[Image Description: A friendly-looking white, masculine person with brown hair, glasses, and a beard smiles as they sort pills into a bottle. Behind the pharmacist is a view of the Allies' pharmacy.]

If you have an appointment at Allies this afternoon or evening, please be advised that there will be a film crew working on Penn Avenue near our entrance. You may be delayed getting into our building, so please allow a couple of extra minutes in your travel time. Thank you for understanding!

Trust us: with nasty rashes, flu-like symptoms, and the possibility of even more dangerous symptoms like brain swelling, mpox isn't something anyone wants. Fortunately, you're just two vaccination appointments away from being almost entirely protected!

Plus, the side effects of the mpox vaccine tend to be extremely mild, usually just pain, soreness, or bruising at the injection site. So you can get vaccinated and get right back out there, knowing you're helping keep yourself and others safe. Even if you're healthy, Mpox can cause severe complications for vulnerable people. Getting vaccinated is part of being a good neighbor, community member, and responsible adult.

Call 412-345-7456 or visit AlliesPGH.org to make an appointment to get vaccinated today!

[Image Description: A young Black masculine person blows his nose into a tissue, with a blanket wrapped around him. He has short hair and is wearing some jewelry. Text reads: Don't get sick - get vaxxed. The Allies logo is in the upper right corner.]

Don’t let mpox ruin your fun this fall – no one wants to miss out on all the essential autumn activities because of a rash, fever, chills and respiratory symptoms. Mpox is easily preventable with the mpox vaccine – it’s just two doses, four weeks apart, and you’ll have maximum coverage against mpox.

You can get the mpox vaccine at Allies as part of your regular care! Talk to your provider to see if the mpox vaccine is right for you, and give us a call at 412-345-7456 to schedule your first vaccine.

[Image description: A young, masculine presenting person with spiky blond hair and a short beard walks down a city street lined with trees in autumn colors.]

Whether you’re an experienced vogue dancer, you’ve just gotten started with our ballroom beginner workshops, or you’ve NEVER been to a ball before, you’re invited to serve and observe at the Rebirth Kiki Ball! This event is beginner-friendly, and open to folks ages 13-29. Special thanks to our partners Proud Haven and TransYOUniting and our sponsor, Gilead! Got questions? Email Curtis Hanner at [email protected].

🌈💃🏿Rebirth Kiki Ball
Friday, October 11 • 6-11pm
Kelly Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Ave.
Cost: FREE
RSVP: Link in bio

A Kiki Ball is an event that celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community through performance, fashion, and creativity. Kiki balls are inspired by the historical House/Ballroom community but are more accessible and less competitive for younger people. In addition, it is a safe space for all.

The Kiki scene originated in the New York house and ballroom scene as a space for q***r youth of color who were often homeless and in need of HIV prevention services. Kiki balls center on the importance of community and performative expression and highlight LGBTQIA+ history. Participants may compete in categories such as walking runway or voguing. Kiki balls may include educational programming that highlights LGBTQIA+ history.



[Image Description: Slide 1: A Black androgynous person holds a vogue pose with their head tilted backward and their hands flexed. They are wearing eye makeup, an earring, and a denim shirt and have shaved sides of their head with locs on top. Text reads: Allies’ Project Silk Invites You To Rebirth Kiki Ball.]

Whether you're an experienced vogue, you've just gotten started with our ballroom beginner workshops, or you've NEVER been to a ball before, you're invited to serve and observe at the Rebirth Kiki Ball! This event is beginner-friendly and open to folks ages 13-29. Special thanks to our partners Proud Haven and TransYOUniting and our sponsor, Gilead! Got questions? Email Curtis Hanner at [email protected].

🌈💃🏿Rebirth Kiki Ball
Friday, October 11 • 6-11pm
Kelly Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Ave.
Cost: FREE!
Visit our event page at https://tinyurl.com/5apr5s3f to RSVP and learn about the categories.

A Kiki Ball is an event that celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community through performance, fashion, and creativity. Kiki balls are inspired by the historical House/Ballroom community but are more accessible and less competitive for younger people. In addition, it is a safe space for all.

The Kiki scene originated in the New York house and ballroom scene as a space for q***r youth of color who were often homeless and in need of HIV prevention services. Kiki balls center on the importance of community and performative expression and highlight LGBTQIA+ history. Participants may compete in categories such as walking runway or voguing. Kiki balls may include educational programming that highlights LGBTQIA+ history.

[Image Description: Slide 1: A Black androgynous person holds a vogue pose with their head tilted backward and their hands flexed. They are wearing eye makeup, an earring, and a denim shirt and have shaved sides of their head with locs on top. Text reads: Allies' Project Silk Invites You To Rebirth Kiki Ball.]