Monica Helms is an author, activist, and veteran of the United States Navy who created the best-known transgender flag in 1999. We applaud Monica Helms, an icon living, for her contribution to advancing equality for the transgender community. Her Arizonan roots make us fly the transgender flag even higher!

Monica Helms is an author, activist, and veteran of the United States Navy who created the best-known transgender flag in 1999. We applaud Monica Helms, an icon living, for her contribution to advancing equality for the transgender community. Her Arizonan roots make us fly the transgender flag even higher!

Every year on June 27, National HIV Testing Day is recognized to encourage people to get tested, learn their status, and seek care and treatment services. According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 1.2 million people in the United States live with HIV, but one in seven people with HIV do not know they have it. Getting tested is the first step to getting people into care and preventing the spread of the virus.

Practicing queer joy helps you celebrate and embrace the beauty that is you. You deserve to revel in your queer identity and find ways to grow, shine, and thrive. Here are 5 ways to help you practice queer joy this Pride month and every month.

A resurgence of mpox (formerly monkeypox) has been reported this spring, with a cluster of cases reported in Chicago. Learn more about mpox and be sure to get your two-dose mpox vaccine at no cost to you!  

In partnership with Maricopa County Department of Public Health, the Southwest Center is proud to help mitigate the spread of mpox with walk-in availability to get the mpox vaccine available Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm at no cost to you. If you prefer to schedule a vaccine appointment with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, please click here.