Mazzoni Center is a

501(c)(3) nonprofit A 501(c)(3) organization is a United States corporation, trust, unincorporated association or other type of organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code. It is one of the 29 types of 501 ...

health care provider A health care provider is an individual health professional or a health facility organization licensed to provide health care diagnosis and treatment services including medication, surgery and medical devices. Health care providers often receive ...

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

, that serves the

lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ' is an initialism that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. In use since the 1990s, the initialism, as well as some of its common variants, functions as an umbrella term for sexuality and gender identity. The LGBT term is ...

(LGBT) community.

About

Mission

To provide quality comprehensive health and wellness services in an

LGBT ' is an initialism that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. In use since the 1990s, the initialism, as well as some of its common variants, functions as an umbrella term for sexuality and gender identity. The LGBT term is a ...

-focused environment, while preserving the dignity and improving the quality of life of the individuals we serve.Mazzoni Center History & Mission.
Reviewed: June 20, 2012.

History

Founded in 1979, the Mazzoni Center was originally known as the Lavender Health Project, a volunteer health subcommittee at the Gay Community Center (now known as the

William Way LGBT Community Center The William Way LGBT Community Center is a nonprofit organization serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender population of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and nearby communities, located at 1315 Spruce Street in Philadelphia in the Gayborhood. ...

). The group was formed just two years before the

HIV/AIDS epidemic The global epidemic of HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) began in 1981, and is an ongoing worldwide public health issue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2021, HIV/AI ...

was first recognized. Its areas of original focus included clinical services for gay men & lesbians, health education, and advocacy work; however, responding to the AIDS epidemic became the health agency's primary concern during the 80's and early 90's. In 1981, when the group became incorporated, it changed its name to the Philadelphia Community Health Alternatives (PCHA). The PCHA quickly organized the Philadelphia AIDS Task Force (PATF), which became the first

AIDS service organization AIDS service organizations are community-based organizations that provide support for people affected by HIV/AIDS. This article focuses on HIV/AIDS service organizations in the United States only. There is a huge variety of these organizations in o ...

in Pennsylvania. In 2003, the organization renamed itself to the Mazzoni Center, after Dr. Peter Mazzoni, a volunteer physician and board member. Dr. Mazzoni had served as the clinc's medical director, was an openly gay and HIV-positive physician, and died in 1990 at age 31. Today, the Mazzoni Center is the oldest HIV service provider in the state.

Services

* Medical Care: Services focus on LGBT needs. The Mazzoni Center has partnered with

Thomas Jefferson University Thomas Jefferson University is a private research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Established in its earliest form in 1824, the university officially combined with Philadelphia University in 2017. To signify its heritage, the univer ...

’s Department of Family and Community Medicine to provide healthcare at a clinic located near the hospital. * HIV & STD Testing: The Mazzoni Center offers free, confidential HIV and

sexually transmitted infection Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also referred to as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the older term venereal diseases, are infections that are Transmission (medicine), spread by Human sexual activity, sexual activity, especi ...

screenings at the Washington West Project in Center City Philadelphia. * HIV Care:

Medical case management Medical case management is a collaborative process that facilitates recommended treatment plans to assure the appropriate medical care is provided to disabled, ill or injured individuals. It is a role frequently overseen by patient advocates. It ...

is offered for clients who need help obtaining medical care, insurance, public benefits, food, housing, mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, and other resources. * Health Education: Services from the Prevention/Education Department offer education, outreach, and counseling services. * Legal Issues: Legal assistance is offered for low-income LGBT individuals facing discrimination, harassment, family issues, writing wills, and more. * Counseling & Behavioral Health Support Groups: Mental health and substance abuse treatment programs are available for individuals, couples and families.

Detransitioning issues

In August 2017, the Mazzoni Center cancelled a Trans Health Conference panel discussion on

detransition Detransition is the cessation or reversal of a transgender identification or gender transition, whether by social, legal, or medical means. Some individuals detransition on a temporary basis. Estimates of the rate at which detransitioning occurs ...

ing. The conference organizers said, "When a topic becomes controversial, such as this one has turned on social media, there is a duty to make sure that the debate does not get out of control at the conference itself. After several days of considerations and reviewing feedback, the planning committee voted that the workshops, while valid, cannot be presented at the conference as planned".

References

External links

Mazzoni Center
{{LGBT, main=expanded Medical and health organizations based in Pennsylvania LGBT culture in Philadelphia HIV/AIDS prevention organizations Organizations established in 1979 1979 establishments in Pennsylvania Non-profit organizations based in Philadelphia LGBT health organizations in the United States Clinics in the United States