We All Matter

Health Advocacy Care

This turbulent time we are all living through health navigators like Faith Kamara and Victwan McCorkle, challenges New Yorkers to rise to the occasion serving and supporting our members out in the community; and reinvent ourselves in ways large and the pioneering contributions of NYC-based organizations small. Amida Care has also been undergoing like The Anti-Violence Project and Out My Closet; and the a process of renewal and transformation, as unforgettable legacy of Lorena Borjas, a renowned trans-Latina reflected in our latest community magazine: activist whom we recently lost to Covid-19. Lorena is fondly Health, Advocacy, Care. remembered here in tributes from several community members whose lives she touched. Its title debuts our organization’s new tagline – one that we believe better sums up our mission and more clearly Health, advocacy, and care are also found in the work of those communicates who we are. What most sets Amida Care apart is who promote healthy self-care, self-expression, and body advocacy to help members and communities gain access to the positivity, like artist/advocate Tarik Carroll of the EveryMAN care they need, so they can protect and improve their health Project and others profiled or quoted in these pages. Each does and live their best, most authentic lives. their part to build a safer, more inclusive LGBTQ community. The coronavirus pandemic is shining a light on the glaring Now more than ever, Amida Care and our community partners health inequities among New Yorkers of color. Amida Care has are answering the call to lean in and advocate for the health and been a longstanding advocate to end the health disparities that care of our members and communities. Let’s all stand strong take a disproportionately heavy toll on the communities we together to ensure that we all stay safe, healthy, and protected. serve, and there is an urgent need to do even more to ensure equitable access to care for all New Yorkers. Stay well, stay safe, As portrayed in this publication, health, advocacy, and care Doug Wirth, President & CEO, Amida Care take many forms. They are illustrated in the work of Amida Care 2 Content

TARIK 4 Remembering Leadership CARROLL 10 Through Service Artist/Advocate Meet FAITH for Male Body orena KAMARA Positivity L 18 Borjas 14 20 Amida Care’s 6 Member Advisory Council Advocates For and Shapes Sexual Health Care Racism on Dating Apps O ut MY CLOSET DRESSING AND ADVOCATING FOR LGBTQ YOUTH WORK: The Link 16 Between Health 8 and Happiness 22 You Are Beauty ONLINE Affirm your

confidence KEEPING IT DatingFUN AND SAFE

VISIT US ONLINE: www.AmidaCareNY. org 3 TARIK CARROLL Artist/Advocate for Male Body Positivity

rooklyn visual artist and fashion photographer TARIK CARROLL is breaking new ground as a pioneering activist for body image issues among those who identify as male. His EveryMAN BProject, (www.theeverymanproject.com), founded in 2017, adapts the women’s body positivity movement in order to promote men’s self-acceptance, especially “queer and men of color with bigger body frames.”

“ As men, we have been taught not to speak about our issues when it comes to how we feel about our bodies.”

4 Tarik was trained in graphic design at Institute of Technology. His early experiences as the “tallest, chubbiest kid in the class” and years spentI knew working that behind once the cameraI put atthis fashion out, shoots gradually revealed that evenI would some of thehave best-looking to deal male with models my heard the same toxic, perfectionistic,own inner body voice issues as he did. as It whispered: well, so “You’re there not thin enough, thick enough, wastoo pale, a lottoo black,of apprehension or simply not beautiful about enough.” Through the EveryMAN Project, Tarikbeing has been at working the forefrontto advance the of movement, this producing photographic series, collectingmovement… men’s personal As essays, a photographer, and developing a documentary and coffee table book. The ultimate goal? To bring about a consciousness shift, so that “everyone will feel a little moreI’m confident used in to their being own skin behind and be their the genuine self.” Tarik’s efforts to reform concepts of malecamera, beauty have and gotten now media I’m attention aout front.”in BuzzFeed, PAPER, the Huffington Post France, the New York Times, People magazine, and elsewhere. 5

Out

High-quality, gender-affirming clothing is a human right.

OMC

6 MY CLOSET DRESSING AND ADVOCATING FOR LGBTQ YOUTH

UT MY CLOSET (OMC), a nonprofit founded by designer/activist Michael A. Narain, empowers displaced, under- Oresourced LGBTQ youth by gifting them with free clothing items and supportive counseling. OMC’s spirit of inclusiveness is intended to nurture a sense of hope, resilience, and self-acceptance. Last year alone, OMC conducted 15 fun, celebratory pop-up “shopping” events across NYC that benefitted hundreds of LGBTQ young people. Michael notes that clients may choose as many items as they want — and OMC’s “Open Heart-Open Door” policy also welcomes those who don’t identify as LGBTQ. From Prom Pop-Ups for high school students dealing with homophobia to a Trans Day of Resilience Pop-Up for trans women of color earlier this year, OMC has gifted nearly 25,000 donated garments since its launch in 2013. “High-quality, gender-affirming clothing is a human right,” like food and shelter, Michael says. OMC also considers its clothing a “harm- reduction strategy” that can help prevent new HIV diagnoses. When LGBTQ adolescents in crisis choose their own fierce, beautiful OMC outfits as gifts, it can help them avoid high-risk activities like sex work in exchange for money, clothing, and other necessities. “Clothes can set up youth for success by preparing them for interviews, work, or school,” Michael says. Staffed by volunteers who www.outmycloset.org are young professionals, OMC also connects clients with partner agencies to help them obtain housing, food, HIV testing, and access to PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), and other services. 7 You Are Beauty

Take time for yourself daily and trust in yourself, knowing there is no one like you. by Sandrine Blake Manager of Member Experience 8 and Events, Amida Care eauty is defined as a combination of qualities—such as shape, color, or form— Bthat pleases the aesthetic senses, especially sight, as well as the intellect or moral sense. I simply say that beauty is me, him, her, they…. It’s you! Daily, we are flooded with images of what beauty looks like and what self-image should be. Beauty is you and what you make of yourself.

Take a look in the mirror and notice your skin tone, your facial structure, your curves, your smile. Really look at yourself, then stare deep into your own eyes and search your heart for the beauty within you. Live life as who you are right now, knowing that you are growing and rising like a phoenix. Learn how to love and accept yourself, flaws and all (a flaw to you may be perfection to someone else). Take time for yourself daily and trust in yourself, knowing there is no one like you. Forget what the world says and trust what you say, how you feel, and what you know. Affirm your confidence. Be bold in your fierceness. Remember that you are wonderfully made.

Say: I am loved. I am a masterpiece.

“ I am beautiful, empowered, and courageous. I am enough. I am worthy. I am resilient and capable, a conqueror, free,“ and at peace. I am everything the universe has created me to be. I AM Beauty!

9 “Let no one take away our desire to fight. Let’s fight until the last moment of our life.”

Remembering

Compassion in Action (1960-2020) 10 Lorena Borjas We mourn the passing of Latinx immigrants. For decades, beloved trans-Latina and Lorena worked as an educator in HIV testing, syringe exchange, immigrant rights activist and other programs with LGBTQ Lorena Borjas, honored by state and local leaders and known in organizations, including Translatina and throughout NYC as Network, Latino Commission on the mother of her community. AIDS, and Community Healthcare On March 30, Lorena died of Network. In 2011, she launched complications from COVID-19. the Lorena Borjas Legal Fund to provide bail and advocate for In 1981 at age 20, Lorena moved LGBTQ and other immigrants. from her native Mexico City to Most recently, Lorena served as Queens, where she shared an Executive Director of Colectivo apartment with 20 fellow trans- Intercultural TRANSgrediendo.

Our Community Leaders Pay Homage to Lorena

“Lorena Borjas was a tireless transgender activist who took advantage of her own experiences as a transgender woman, immigrant, and sex worker to help others. She had a great dream, to build a home where transgender women found refuge and support. Casa Trans Lorena Borjas was her life project. Unfortunately, she could not see her dream materialize. We will continue her legacy to make Casa Trans Lorena Borjas a reality, and provide all the necessary support that the community needs.” Liaam Winslet, Acting Executive Director Colectivo Intercultural TRANSgrediendo

“Lorena worked as a tireless, longtime advocate for immigrants, sex workers, and people of transgender experience. She was a great friend to Amida Care and a beautiful and bright light in our world. She was compassion in action, and her powerful life-filled impacts will live on. May she rest in power.”

Doug Wirth, President and CEO, Amida Care

11 Our Community Leaders Pay Homage to Lorena

“Lorena was a pillar in our community. Lorena was always an inspiration to many trans-Latinas across the country. Even though her work was centered on helping trans women in New York, her work transcends multiple borders. Lorena’s memory will be immortalized, not just in the trans movement but in multiple “Lorena Borjas: Advocate, Warrior, Friend, Leader – movements that she was involved with. I these words come to mind when I think of her. My and many others are grateful for Lorena’s relationship with Lorena was not very public, but existence, and I am certainly honored that she and I met many nights to talk about our vision I got to work with her, to strategize and and the work. We were each other’s mentors, but, transform the trans movement. ¡Gracias, as I always told her, she was a teacher to me, as well. Lorena, por existir!” Lorena was the reason Voces Latinas does outreach to immigrant cisgender Latinas in the bars. To this Bamby Salcedo day, we continue the work, and we will continue President, TransLatin@Coalition doing it in her honor. I will treasure our friendship forever and will never forget her.”

Nathaly Rubio-Torio Executive Director, Voces Latinas

“ Lorena Borjas was fierce, magnificent, and inspiring. She fought for the rights of trans-Latina people, sex workers, immigrants, LGBTQ communities, and anyone else who needed her. She was a mother and a mentor. She started conversations by asking ‘How are you?’ and genuinely cared to know. She lives on in us.”

Julian E. Cabezas, LMSW Assistant Director, Outreach Programs Amida Care

“Lorena was family for us: a fearless advocate, a mentor, and bigger than life. Lorena reminds us to work to address discrimination, transphobia, stigma, xenophobia, and health disparities. She will be remembered as a pioneer, a sister, a mother, and her support for us in our journey. Lorenita, Rest in Power.” Latino Commission on AIDS ¡Viva 12 Lorena! “ Without formal training, Lorena used a holistic approach to help Community Healthcare Network develop a comprehensive program that included medical and mental health treatment, housing, hormones, and legal assistance, among other services. As she started working with us, she pulled members “Lorena Borjas has made an incredible of her community into program decisions. Lorena contribution to the trans movement of made sure everyone had access to the things they modern times. She has worked with countless needed and showed us that if there is no funding, we communities and has served as a powerful think- just need to find it. She made everyone feel welcome tank for many providers in New York. She will and always had a kind word or joke, but she always also be remembered as a friend, a sister and a found a way to get her point across. All of us here mom to many in our community.” at CHN, her friends, and I personally, are better for Cristina Herrera having known her. We all miss her.” CEO and Founder TransLatinx Network Luis Freddy Molano, MD Vice President, Infectious Diseases & LGBTQ Programs Community Healthcare Network

“I met Lorena almost 10 years ago, only a year or two after I became a lawyer. Lorena was my colleague, mentor, and friend. She taught me what it really means to be a community lawyer, as well as a lawyer doing movement work. She taught me about accountability and unconditional support and was living proof that there are good people in the world who do things because they are the right things to do, without expecting something in return. Lorena shaped my legal career and who I am as a person. I already miss her so much, and I am so grateful that I knew her.”

Lynly S. Egyes, Legal Director, Transgender Law Center

“ When asked about memories of Lorena, it is so hard to pick Knowing Lorena Borjas was a blessing. one. She was funny, caring, and always moving. Among so Her heart was always with the many of her achievements, I have to highlight her ability to undocumented LGBTQ community, create community. Looking back, I have few memories of especially trans women in Queens. Many being alone with Lorena. She was always with a group. She had no hope in society and were often loved having people around her, and people gravitated towards victims of physical and systemic violence. her. A rare magic has left us. It will be difficult for us to fill that She was a mother to many, and her empty space, but because of what she created – Community legacy is a strong family who will always – we will always be together. That’s what she wanted, and remember her.

that’s what we need! Daniela P. Simba, , Principal, Cecilia Gentili Capacity Building

TransEquity Consulting Assistance Coordinator Latino Commission on AIDS

13 MIDA CARE is Amida Care’s A unique as New York State’s largest Medicaid Member Advisory Special Needs Plan (SNP) that serves people who are Council Advocates living with or placed at higher risk for HIV, including people For and Shapes of transgender experience or who are experiencing Health Care homelessness, regardless of HIV status.

MAC Members’ Accomplishments

LIVE YOUR LIFE TOWN HALL WELLNESS EVENTS MEETINGS The MAC advocated for the MAC members host and creation of this program and support frequent Amida chooses its monthly events, Care Town Hall meetings from healthy cooking across NYC, where members and fitness sessions to art gather to ask questions and classes and fashion shows. get information on benefits.

COMMUNITY ADVOCACY MAC members join lobbying efforts nationally and statewide for AIDS Watch, job training and back-to-work initiatives, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) awareness, and other key issues.

14 Since it began, Amida Care has had a robust Member “ Bringing their wisdom and lived Advisory Council (MAC). experience, MAC leaders have shaped These MAC representatives Amida Care’s programs and influenced are elected by and advocate policies and procedures that help members for the interests of fellow access care and services to be well, so they members. They also help can go about the business of living.” shape Amida Care and its mission. Two MAC members — Doug Wirth, President & CEO, Amida Care serve on the organization’s Board of Directors, as well.

TRANS SERVICES The MAC backed Amida Care’s PLAN OPERATIONS recent expansion to cover members of trans experience MAC members play robust regardless of HIV status, with roles on Amida Care’s Board eligibility for gender-affirming of Directors and throughout surgery and related procedures, the organization, voicing PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) members’ viewpoints. access, and more.

COMMITTEE WORK Unique among SNPs in HEALTHY REWARDS New York State, Amida Care’s MAC members helped improve MAC members contribute Amida Care’s incentives program ideas and insights by serving that offers up to $525 in yearly on the organization’s compli- cash rewards (through a prepaid ance, behavioral health, and VISA gift card) for treatment other committees. adherence, viral load suppression, and self-care.

Amida Care is a Medicaid Special Needs Plan (SNP) in NYC. Visit www.AmidaCareNY.org for more information. 15 WORK: The Link Between Health and Happiness by Victwan Andrew McCorkle Senior Health Navigator, Amida Care Work is Health! The ability to work and contribute to society has been shown to improve health outcomes. The physical activity of work helps with primary care goals; creative and critical thinking keeps the mind sharp; and socializing and working with teams, groups, and co-workers have positive effects on social and mental health. Employment lets people like me, who are successfully managing chronic illness, re-engage in the society that we had to separate ourselves from in order to get well. Especially meaningful to me is my work to improve the job situations of people who’ve gone back to work with chronic conditions. Work gives us purpose and meaning beyond just staying alive. Many of us find that work is the missing link between being healthy and being happy.

16 PEERS HELPING PEERS I also love creating and working on projects to support the New York State (NYS) Peer Worker Certification Program that I completed and became certified in. My best employment advice has come from my fellow peer workers. The work we do is as unique as those of us providing the service. Support from others doing the same work is extremely validating and empowering. To stay grounded and connected to the communities I serve, I’m launching a support group for NYS - certified peer workers. This will provide us with a safe, confidential space to support each other after getting certified. Amida Care has graciously offered us space for support groups meetings. We hope to start this summer.

Meet VICTWAN Victwan joined Amida Care in June 2013 and was recently promoted to Senior Health Navigator. He works in the community to advocate for members of this Medicaid Special Needs Plan — including many who are living with HIV. With Victwan’s support, the members he partners with stay on their medications and strive to keep viral counts low and become undetectable, while living the healthiest Amida Care lives possible. Victwan also actively promotes workforce training and jobs for those Senior Health living with HIV/AIDS or placed at risk. Navigator

Amida Care is a Medicaid Special Needs Plan (SNP) in NYC. Visit www.AmidaCareNY.org for more information. 17 MOTIVATE GUIDE SUPERVISE HELP

Leadership Through Service by Faith “Sargent K” Kamara Lead Health Navigator, Amida Care

It’s my role to guide, help, supervise, and motivate the team of Amida Care* health navigators as we partner with our 8,000 members in diverse communities across New York City. Our team is up for challenges, and we work hard to meet and exceed expectations. We work with We switched from personal visits to telephone outreach during the coronavirus pandemic and stepped up our efforts members who to reconnect, check in, and work with members who are are dealing with dealing with health issues, homelessness, substance use, health issues, or other concerns. homelessness, Throughout my professional life, I’ve been working and partnering with other people. It’s second nature to me. substance use, I enjoy the collaboration and hope to make a difference or other concerns. in the lives of others.

18 TOGETHER WE CAN Meet FAITH KAMARA Faith is an Iraq war veteran ACHIEVE whose immigrant parents have roots in West Africa. MORE She joined Amida Care’s Provider Services Department in 2017 and later shifted to overseeing the organization’s From Health health navigators. Navigator to Nurse At Amida Care, we do our utmost to work with and share support in our relationships with both members and colleagues. A lot goes into this, and the effort each of us invests is so worth it. Meanwhile, taking on my biggest challenge yet by studying nursing online is also proving to be a great experience. I consider the nursing profession to be the highest level of service.

Amida Care’s Health Navigator Team Health Navigators reach out to and partner with members who may have been out of touch. Together, they develop strategies that encourage members to take their medications and manage any other chronic conditions. Working with members, navigators help them come up with ways to live the best and healthiest lives possible.

* Amida Care is a Medicaid Special Needs Plan (SNP) in NYC. Visit www.AmidaCareNY.org for more information. 19 “Whites Only” Sexual Racism on Dating Apps by Carlos N. Molina

ating apps have revolutionized how people meet, among the LGBTQ community: we call it sexual Ddate, and hook up. In the gay community, they racism. The community is divided; some see it have become a very popular way to connect with as plain racism, others as just someone’s sexual others, arrange meetings, and negotiate sex. As with preference, and many are in between, juggling social media, the physical distance and the level of conflicting ideas and feelings. For many of us anonymity the apps offer (there are many headless who are people of color, being excluded without profiles) facilitate cyber bullying and insensitive knowing us simply because of our skin color behavior. At times it is a direct attack, while in other or ethnicity brings up memories of our cases it’s more about exclusion, like stating that “fats,” experiences with racism. “fems,” and people over 50 are not welcome. Many Here are three courageous individuals who are of these statements are justified as being “nothing sharing their experiences and feelings about personal, it’s just my preference.” sexual racism. The hope is that by understanding In the last few years, many of us have seen these how others feel, we as a community can find ways preferences evolving to focus on race: no Blacks, to communicate our desires in a more humane, no Latinos, no Asians, no Arabs, etc., or sometimes embracing way. “whites only.” This has become a topic of discussion

20 on Dating Apps

Raul • 31, Male, Latino, Gay • 36, Male, Black/African, Gay I am a Latino gay person who is proud to be William the way I am. When I read “only white men” When I see the term “Whites Only,” initially it triggers on digital platforms, I feel that I am not memories of elementary school where I was subjected welcome to talk or interact with these people. to classmates’ racist comments and actions. I think, why I feel that these people have no reason to me? Why am I not good enough? Secondly, it makes interact with me because I’m of color. I feel me reluctant to participate in my community, be it Pride separate from this community. I often prefer Festivals or other gatherings. Finally, I see that it makes to ignore these comments and move on. no difference, as I’d rather focus my time/energy on more We are in a world where we all have to be open-minded people. There is a whole world of people included and accepted as we are. Seeing who will like me for who I am. As the years go on, I find I this type of racism hurts and makes me sad am stronger when encountering such preferences in dating because I feel that people are still classist and apps/sites. Before, it hurt me a great deal, emotionally. racist, and I am tired of this.

Peaches • 41, Female, Black/Caribbean, Heterosexual Reading the “white only” preference on online dating sites made me feel rejected, ugly, and undervalued. It took me back to growing up in a West Indian family where colorism was the norm, and I often felt less than those in my family who were lighter, had “good hair,” and had less prominent stereotypical African features. It took mentors, therapy, self-help books, and mentoring young women myself for me to fully embrace myself and know that I AM ENOUGH… WE ARE ENOUGH! Those who have a preference based on skin color can continue searching for superficial individuals like themselves. I am a beautiful black woman who is proud of every crevice of her being. 21 ONLINE Keeping It Fun and Safe

Online dating has changed the way many of us socialize Dating and meet people, but it comes with its challenges, safety being one of them. Here are some tips from the Anti-Violence Project (AVP) to keep it both fun and safe.

Make a safety plan Safety Tips and inform others Tell at least one person your plans: WHOM you’ll be with, HOW to contact them, WHERE you’ll meet, and WHAT you plan to do. Decide what you’ll do if feeling unsafe and WHETHER you want police called.

Use tech devices Text yourself, friends, or family about your plans, with details (photos, etc.) on WHERE, WHEN, and with T E x T WHOM. Save messages from websites and phone apps.

22 Meet in public And bring friends, if possible, to watch your back. Locate 24-hour businesses to seek help, if needed. Trust your Know your limits instincts and leave if you feel unsafe. If you plan to use substances (including alcohol), consider how much you’ll use.

Practice safer sex Bring and use safer sex supplies including condoms, lube, dental dams, etc.

Hook-up violence can happen in public spaces like bars or sex/play parties If you leave temporarily, let friends, patrons, or staff know. Don’t leave drinks unattended. When outside, look for open businesses to seek help later, if needed. Discuss beforehand your boundaries and interests You can say NO for sex, including BDSM (Bondage/Discipline; No matter who initiates or how Dominance/Submission; Sadism/Masochism). far you’ve gone, you can stop any time for any reason.

Trust your instincts If you feel threatened or unsafe, leave if possible.

Getting Support • If Violence Occurs. It’s not your fault. The Anti-Violence Project (AVP) is a Nobody has the right to violate your NYC-based nationwide advocacy group. boundaries or assault you, no matter AVP’s 24-hour bilingual English/ how you met or where it happens. Spanish hotline (212-714-1141) and If you feel you are in danger or website (www.avp.org) offer a wealth suspect that your injuries may be of support and counseling to survivors serious, call 911 immediately. of LGBTQ harassment and violence. 23 Amida Care is here for you, as always. When you’re ready, our free/low-cost Medicaid health insurance gives you access to:

A large network of doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, dentists, and more Treatment and preventive care for a safe, healthy sex life, including PrEP and ARVs Health advocates to help you every step of the way Help with housing referrals, job training, and other support programs

HEALTH. ADVOCACY. CARE.

www.AmidaCareNY.org

STANDING STRONGwith you and for you.

Contact us for confidential answers: 1-855-GO-AMIDA (1-855-462-6432), TTY 711 Amida Care complies with Federal civil rights laws. Amida Care does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-800-556-0689, TTY 711. 1-800-556-0689, TTY 711. 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電

Stock photo with model.