Mazzoni Center

Mazzoni Center is a health care provider in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that serves the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

Formation1979
Legal statusNon-profit
PurposeProvide LGBT-focused health & wellness services.
HeadquartersPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Websitemazzonicenter.org
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About

Mission

To provide quality comprehensive health and wellness services in an LGBT-focused environment, while preserving the dignity and improving the quality of life of the individuals we serve.[1]

History

Founded in 1979, the Mazzoni Center was originally known as the Philadelphia Community Health Alternatives (PCHA). The health agency was organized to provide healthcare for Philadelphia's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.[1]

PCHA was founded just two years before the HIV & AIDS epidemic was first recognized. It quickly organized the Philadelphia AIDS Task Force (PATF), which became the first AIDS service organization in Pennsylvania. Today, the Mazzoni Center is the oldest HIV service provider in the state.[1]

Services
  • Medical Care: Services focus on LGBT needs. The Mazzoni Center has partnered with Thomas Jefferson University’s Department of Family and Community Medicine to provide healthcare at a clinic located near the hospital.[2]
  • HIV & STD Testing: The Mazzoni Center offers free, confidential HIV and sexually transmitted infection screenings at the Washington West Project in Center City Philadelphia.[3]
  • HIV Care: Medical case management is offered for clients who need help obtaining medical care, insurance, public benefits, food, housing, mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, and other resources.[4]
  • Health Education: Services from the Prevention/Education Department offer education, outreach, and counseling services.[5]
  • Legal Issues: Legal assistance is offered for low-income LGBT individuals facing discrimination, harassment, family issues, writing wills, and more.[6][7]
  • Counseling & Behavioral Health Support Groups: Mental health and substance abuse treatment programs are available for individuals, couples and families.[8]

Detransitioning issues

In August 2017, the Mazzoni Center cancelled a Trans Health Conference panel discussion on detransitioning.[9][10] 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".[11]

Community Partnerships

See also
  • List of transgender-related topics
  • List of LGBT-related organizations
  • Transitioning (transgender)
  • Transgender health care
  • Transgender publications

References
  1. Mazzoni Center History & Mission. Reviewed: June 20, 2012.
  2. Mazzoni Center Medical Care. Reviewed: June 20, 2012
  3. Mazzoni Center HIV & STD Testing. Reviewed: June 20, 2012
  4. Mazzoni Center HIV Care. Reviewed: June 20, 2012
  5. Mazzoni Center Prevention Education Archived 2011-03-20 at the Wayback Machine. Reviewed: June 20, 2012
  6. Mazzoni Center Legal Services Archived 2010-12-27 at the Wayback Machine. Reviewed: June 20, 2012
  7. Colletta, Jen. Legal group moves to Mazzoni Center. Philadelphia Gay News. October 22, 2009.
  8. Mazzoni Center Counseling. Reviewed: June 20, 2012
  9. Herzog, Katie (August 30, 2017). "Philly Trans Health Conference Cancels Sessions on Detransitioning". The Stranger.
  10. Rodriguez, Jeremy (September 7, 2017). "Trans Health Conference returns with new initiatives, future goals". The Philadelphia Gay News.
  11. "Response to the cancellation of workshops". Mazzoni Center. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
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