At-Home STI/STD Testing a Game Changer for LGBTQIA+ Community

The LGBTQIA+ community is disproportionately affected by STIs and STDs, yet many individuals fear seeking testing services due to discrimination or fear of discrimination. Publicly Private’s Venture Program is changing the game when it comes to seeking STD/STI testing and prophylactic services. This program offers free at-home STD/STI testing kits, prophylactics, and baseline PrEP services that are cutting-edge and can help bring down the negative health statistics faced by the LGBTQIA+ community.

Venture By Publicly Private

Venture by Publicly Private is a resource program designed to provide free at-home STD/STI testing kits, prophylactics, and baseline PrEP services directly to the homes of those who need them most. This program takes away much of the stigma associated with seeking sexual health services and makes them accessible to those who need them without having to leave their home. The kits come with pre-labeled packaging so they can be shipped discreetly right to your door. Additionally, all test results are handled securely by myLAB Box via their HIPAA-compliant website.

The Benefits of At-Home Testing

At-home testing has numerous benefits for both individuals and communities alike. It reduces barriers that prevent individuals from getting tested; it increases access to testing in rural areas; it eliminates transportation costs; it allows people to test multiple times throughout their lives; it eliminates waiting times at clinics; and it provides anonymous results which prevent any potential future discrimination based on one’s sexual history. All of these benefits make at-home testing an ideal solution for members of the LGBTQIA+ community who might otherwise not seek out sexual health services due to fear of discrimination or other barriers preventing access.

The Impact on Health Statistics            

At-home STD/STI testing has already had a huge impact on improving health outcomes for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Studies have shown that HIV diagnosis rates have decreased significantly among this population since the advent of at-home tests—with some studies even showing a decrease in transmission rates as well due to increased detection rates resulting from such tests. Additionally, early detection can lead to early treatment which can reduce long-term complications associated with certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These changes have been particularly significant among marginalized communities within the LGBTQIA+ population such as transgender individuals and people living with HIV who may otherwise lack access or information about available resources for obtaining safe sexual health care services.

At-home STD/STI tests are critical for ensuring everyone in our nation has access to safe sexual health care services regardless of gender identity or sexuality. Publicly Private's Venture Program is making strides towards reducing the stigma around sexual health care while also providing free resources that allow anyone—regardless of where they live—to get tested anonymously in the comfort of their own home while still receiving quality care from professionals they trust. With more programs like this becoming available every day, we will continue seeing measurable improvements in overall health outcomes within our nation's most vulnerable populations—including its LGBTQIA+ community members—for years to come!