Author Archives: kimadamski

Dear Kim, I’ve made some new friends in the local gay scene lately and some of them talk about doing poppers when they party. I have heard of poppers before, but I am not really sure what they are, and whether they are dangerous. Can you explain more to me? Thanks, Unsure Dear Unsure, GreatContinue reading “Ask Kim: What are Poppers?”

Are you the parent or guardian of a child or work with children? Do you have a niece, nephew, grandchild, or other kid in your life? Or are you simply interested in learning about best practices for providing sexuality education to kids in all stages of life? All interested are welcome to this discussion spaceContinue reading “Feb. 15: Inclusive Sex Ed at Every Age”

In a mental health emergency, LGBTQ+ folks need resources that understand. Below are some resources you can use if you or a friend are experiencing suicidal ideation. 988 is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This dialing code is available to everyone in the United States. The Trevor Project provides talk, text, or chat support toContinue reading “LGBTQ+ Suicide Prevention Resources”

Time for another RPG GAYme night! Join HGLHC for a game of FIASCO! From the website:“Fiasco is an award-winning designed to be played in a few hours with no preparation. During a game you engineer and play out stupid, disastrous situations, usually at the intersection of greed, fear, and lust. It’s like making your ownContinue reading “HGLHC GAYme Night: Fiasco!”

Please note that the Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective will be CLOSED on Feb. 16, 2023 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

A bacterial meningitis outbreak has been detected in Florida. Meningitis is a serious infection that affects the brain and spinal cord. SYMPTOMS This outbreak is primarily affecting men who have sex with men. Meningitis CAN be spread sexually! If you experience any of the symptoms of meningitis, go to the emergency room IMMEDIATELY. It isContinue reading “Meningitis: Know the Symptoms”

Our beloved and dedicated executive director of 34 years, Linda Estabrook, is retiring in June 2023. This means we are looking for a NEW Executive Director to lead the Health Collective into the future! You can view the posting and apply here. Here are the details:

Connecticut is seeing record numbers of syphilis infections. It’s more important than ever to be careful and protect yourself from STI’s and HIV. Syphilis is most effectively treated with a bicillin shot in the gluteus (butt cheek). As far as shots go, it can be pretty painful. It’s also possible to have syphilis without knowingContinue reading “Syphilis Alert!”

According to the National Harm Reduction Coalition, harm reduction is a set of practical strategies aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. Chemsex refers to sexual activity while under the influence of drugs. For some people, sex and drugs go together like peanut butter and jelly. But chemsex can be risky. As weContinue reading “Event: Sex and Drugs Harm Reduction”

Dear Kim, A lot of my friends take PrEP. They tell me that it protects them from getting HIV. I am interested in PrEP, but am not sure if it’s right for me. How do I know if I should be taking PrEP? Thank you, PrEPared Dear PrEPared, It’s great that you are interested inContinue reading “Ask Kim: Should I Take PrEP?”