The Louisville Pride Foundation (LPF) has launched a support group for LGBTQ+ individuals living with HIV. 

Funded by the Ryan White Foundation, Positive Vibes, which meets every second Thursday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. at 1244 South Third Street, began as a response to the lack of resources for the HIV community in Louisville.  Anthony Munger, LPF’s community health manager, said their staff had received inquiries from people looking for a specific queer HIV support group.

“To our knowledge, there were none locally, and certainly no active groups that were queer focused,” he said. “We looked for opportunities to start our own, and the resources to do so finally presented themselves toward the end of 2024.”

While national HIV rates have seen a slight decline in recent years, HIV rates in Kentucky have been relatively “stagnant”, with approximately 300 new infections reported annually.

As of 2022, an estimated 8,464 Kentuckians were living with HIV, with the highest rates in Jefferson, Fayette, Christian, Hopkins and Franklin counties. About 80% of cases involve men, with most transmissions occurring through male-to-male sexual contact. Black men who have sex with men are disproportionately affected, with Black males accounting for 29.4 percent of cases in Kentucky while white men account for 83.2 percent.

With the majority of HIV cases occurring within the LGBTQ+ community, Munger emphasized the importance of connection and camaraderie among those living with HIV to promote healthy lifestyles and healing. And although a small group of under 10 participants currently, Munger said the intimacy offers intentional one-on-one conversations that participants normally wouldn’t have outside the walls of LPF.

One participant, Michael, said he had repressed all of his emotions about living with HIV before joining Positive Vibes. Now, he said, he feels more connected, seen and heard.

“Like maybe I’m not broken, maybe I’m just human,” he said. “I’m just glad I found it when I did ‘cause I don’t even wanna think about where my head would be if I hadn’t.”

Attendees include a diverse mix of people — mostly queer and transgender adults — who are either newly diagnosed, long-term survivors or somewhere in between. In addition to open dialogue, participants are offered connections to care, including referrals to health care providers addressing both mental and physical health.

Munger said that one participant hadn’t talked about their HIV diagnosis for over a decade until they came across Positive Vibes.

“Many people told us they wanted a space where they could talk openly about identity, relationships, stigma, and health without needing to explain themselves first,” Munger said. “This group centers those experiences and creates a judgment-free space for real connection.”

He adds that LPF is hoping to expand the group’s reach through more outreach, include guest facilitators like queer therapists or folks with lived experience, and eventually build out a network of positive peer support across the state. 

“Our long-term vision includes more one-on-one peer mentoring, and even virtual offerings for folks in rural areas,” he said.

In an effort to prevent HIV transmission, LPF also connects the public to PrEP providers and offers HIV testing.

Testing Locations

Queer Kentucky, along with the Louisville Pride Foundation, have partnered with the Ryan White Foundation to raise awareness for HIV in Kentucky. Below, you will find HIV testing sites. If you wish to add any known consistent/regular testing sites, please email us at [email protected]⁠

⁠Queer Kentucky, along with the Louisville Pride Foundation, have partnered with the Ryan White Foundation to raise awareness for HIV in Kentucky. Below, you will find HIV testing sites. If you wish to add any known consistent/regular testing sites, please email us at [email protected]⁠

⁠

Louisville Locations⁠:⁠

⁠Volunteers of America – Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 2820 West Broadway⁠

⁠Sweet Evening Breeze – every Thursday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 801 Barret Ave Suite 211⁠

⁠Shawnee Christian Healthcare – regular business hours – 234 Amy Ave, Louisville, KY 40212⁠

⁠Derby City Prep Clinic regular business hours – 1101 E Washington St Suite A⁠

⁠Park DuValle Community Health Center – regular business hours – 3015 Wilson Ave⁠

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Lexington:⁠

AVOL Kentucky offers free testing in Lexington at the following times at 1824 Hill Rise Drive STE 100 in Lexington⁠

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.⁠

Wednesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.⁠

Friday 9 a.m, to 1 p.m.⁠

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UK TARGET 4 LOCATIONS⁠

UK Target 4 – Second Tuesday every month 4 PM – 8 PM 3101 Beaumont Centre Circle, Lexington KY 40513⁠

UK Target 4  – Thursday 12 PM – 4 PM 376 N. Main Street, Stanton, KY⁠⁠

UK Target 4 – Tuesday 8 AM – 3:30 PM and Thursday 8 AM – 4:30 PM 341 E. Main Street, Paris, KY 40361⁠

UK Target 4 – On Demand in Boyle County- Amy Anness 859-324-0114⁠

UK Target 4 – On Demand in Fayette County- Dawson Fee 859-200-9688