Women’s Resource Society reports successful HIV testing clinic despite lower turnout

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society says despite the small turnout, last weekend’s HIV testing clinic was a success.

The clinic was held at the organization’s health clinic, The Healing Place, on March 21st to mark Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ Awareness and Celebration Day. 

Honouring Two-Spirit and Indigenous people who are gay, transgender, non-binary or within that community, the day was observed on March 20th according to research and intervention development group The Community Based Research Centre.

The society’s program assistant Denay Fantin wrote in a statement that 13 individuals received dry blood spot testing for HIV, hepatitis C and syphilis, adding those tested were “open to conversation and education” around HIV.

“The biggest takeaway was by reducing barriers for accessing sexually transmitted blood-borne infections (STBBI) testing for members in our community most at risk, we can increase the number of vulnerable people accessing testing,” wrote Fantin in an email. 

“For members of the Two-Spirit LGBTQQIA+ community, having an event that focuses on promoting education and safety provides a safe environment for them.”

It was a lower turnout compared to December’s World AIDS day clinic, where 30 individuals were tested.

Organizers are hoping to do testing clinics on a quarterly basis going forward, according to Fantin.

While the population of Canada is just five per cent Indigenous, 23.9 per cent of new HIV cases within Canada where the patient’s race was identified were Indigenous, Métis or Inuit, according to 2021 data from Statistics Canada.

Preparation for the event took around two months, said Fantin.

She said the clinic is hoping to have another dry blood testing clinic in June, in recognition of National HIV Testing Day.

More information about the Fort St. John Women’s Resource Society can be found on its website and Facebook page.

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