The Swingle Family Foundation Inc. Blog

Let's Talk About Testing: Breaking the Stigma Around STIs in the LGBTQ+ Community Spring may be about new beginnings, but maintaining your health is a year-round commitment. And when it comes to sexual health, one of the most powerful steps you can take is getting tested for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) . Yet, for many in the LGBTQ+ community, the conversation around STI testing is still shrouded in fear, shame, and stigma. It's time we change that. Why the Stigma? The stigma surrounding STIs isn't new, but it hits the LGBTQ+ community particularly hard. Historically, misinformation, judgment, and a lack of inclusive sexual health education have contributed to a culture where discussing STIs openly feels taboo. For LGBTQ+ individuals, this can be compounded by existing societal discrimination and a history of medical mistrust. The idea that an STI diagnosis is a moral failing, rather than a health condition, prevents too many from seeking the care they need. This ...

  Celebrating Nonbinary Joy This Week: International Nonbinary People's Day on July 14th July is a vibrant month for the LGBTQ+ community, and this week, we're putting a special spotlight on Nonbinary Awareness Week , which culminates in International Nonbinary People’s Day on July 14th ! This is a crucial time to elevate, affirm, and celebrate the diverse experiences of people whose gender identity doesn't fit neatly into the categories of "man" or "woman." Being nonbinary means identifying as a gender that exists outside of or between these traditional binary definitions. Just like the spectrum of colors in a rainbow, nonbinary identities are incredibly diverse – some people may identify as both man and woman, neither, somewhere in between, or as a different gender entirely. It's about how someone knows themselves to be, irrespective of the gender they were assigned at birth. International Nonbinary People’s Day on July 14th is a moment to recogn...