ANNUAL REPORT 2019 - 2020 1 2 ABOUT US Callen-Lorde is the global leader in LGBTQ healthcare. Since the days of Stonewall, we have been transforming lives in LGBTQ communities through excellent comprehensive care, provided free of judgment and regardless of ability to pay. In addition, we are continuously pioneering research, advocacy and education to drive positive change around the world, because we believe healthcare is a human right. CONTENTS History and Namesakes . 4 A Letter from our Executive Director Wendy Stark . 6 A Letter from our Board Chair Lanita Ward-Jones ������������������������������������������������������������ 7 COVID-19 Impact . 8 Callen-Lorde Brooklyn ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������10 Advocacy & Policy ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������10 The Keith Haring Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Fellowship in LGBTQ+ Health ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 12 Callen-Lorde by the Numbers . 14 Senior Staff and Board of Directors ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 16 Howard J. Brown Society . .17 John B. Montana Society �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������17 Our Supporters ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������18 3 OUR HISTORY AND NAMESAKES Callen-Lorde’s grassroots heritage dates back over 50 years to the St. Mark’s Community Clinic and Gay Men’s Health Project - two volunteer based clinics that provided free, culturally competent health services to LGBTQ communities, primarily related to sexual health. In response to the AIDS crisis, these two clinics merged in 1983 to form Community Health Project, Inc, which remains our legal name today. 4 MICHAEL CALLEN AUDRE LORDE THEA SPYER (1955-1993) (1934-1992) (1931-2009) Michael Callen was born The daughter of Thea Spyer, Ph.D was in Rising Sun, Indiana, Caribbean immigrants, a brilliant psychologist, and began his career as Audre Lorde was born avid violinist, golfer and a successful composer in New York City and dancer. Born to Elisabeth and singer. In 1982 he wrote her first poem Ketellapper and Willem was diagnosed with at age twelve. In the Spyer in Amsterdam, Dr. AIDS (then known as 1950s while at Hunter Spyer immigrated to the Gay-Related Immune College, Audre worked as US States during World Deficiency) and quickly a librarian and educator War II. In 1963 she met became a leader in the and became a leader in Edie Windsor, who soon response to the growing the early lesbian activist became her partner for epidemic. In 1985 he community in Greenwich the remainder of her became a founding Village. Her poetry was life. Dr. Spyer earned member of the People published regularly her Ph.D. in Clinical with AIDS Coalition, throughout the 1960s Psychology from Adelphi the first organization and 70s and gained wide University. She interned to spring from the AIDS recognition with the at St. Vincent’s Hospital self-empowerment publication of her book and the NYC Veterans movement. As a The Cancer Journals in Administration, and later leading authority in the 1980, which chronicled became Director of the community, Michael her experience with Psychiatric Clinic at the was called to testify breast cancer. In this International Center for before the President’s groundbreaking work, the Disabled. She was Commission on AIDS she examined her then Clinical Consultant and both houses of own fears, anger and in Rehabilitation at Congress. In 1990 ultimately, her strength St. Vincent’s Hospital Michael chronicled the and hope. Her published Westchester before stories of long-term writings include nine concentrating survivors in his book volumes of poetry and exclusively on her private Surviving AIDS. With five books of prose. practice, where she Peter Allen and Marsha Audre was named cared for her patients Malamet, he co-wrote New York State’s Poet until she passed away the song “Love Don’t Laureate in 1991 by from aortic stenosis in Need a Reason” and Governor Mario Cuomo, 2009 at the age of 77. was a founding member a post she retained until of the a capella group her death at age 58 after The Flirtations. Michael a 14-year struggle with continued his work in the breast cancer. She is community and in music survived by her children, until his death at age Elizabeth and Jonathan, 38. He is survived by his and her partner, Dr. partner, Richard Dworkin. Gloria Joseph. 5 A LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dear Friends, Supporters, and Community Members, Since our last report, so much has changed in New York, at Callen-Lorde, and across the globe. As a safety net provider, the inequities we have long known were laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic. In these pages, you will read about our response efforts which were highlighted in a feature in The New York Times. In spite of the pandemic, we forged ahead with our plans to open our new Brooklyn clinic – a decade-long dream that so many worked to make possible. On May 14th – just 45 days after the anticipated opening – we saw our first patient. Now, just seven months in, operations have quickly ramped up, and we have expanded access to care for thousands of LGBTQ+ Brooklynites. Our Brooklyn clinic is also home to the Keith Haring Nurse Practitioner Fellowship in LGBTQ+ Health - a first of its kind program to train future leaders in LGBTQ+ health. In September, we welcomed our first cohort of Haring Fellows who will receive on-the-ground training and experience to help close the gap in health disparities for our communities. Lastly, our small but mighty advocacy and policy team have been hard at work fighting changes on the state and federal level that threaten protections we have worked so hard to achieve. We served as a co-plaintiff in a lawsuit against the federal government that would roll back the Health Care Rights Law (also known as section 1557 of the ACA). We’re also helping to lead a coalition of health care providers across New York state to fight changes to the state budget that will divert funding from essential services that New Yorkers need and rely on. All of this and so much more would not be possible without the support of donors like you. As you read these pages, please consider a gift to support our work at callen-lorde.org/give. In gratitude, Wendy Stark, Executive Director 6 A LETTER FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD Dear readers, Together, we are facing a truly unprecedented time in our nation’s history. The coronavirus pandemic is affecting all of our families, our communities, our businesses, and our way of life. We at Callen-Lorde are committed more than ever to face the on-going challenges the pandemic presents as we prepare for the year ahead. One of many firsts in doing so, is my election as Callen-Lorde’s new Board Chair. My journey to Callen-Lorde began in 2004 as a patient with no healthcare insurance. Callen-Lorde provided a safe caring environment where I felt valued and heard. Thus, cementing my commitment and desire to give back much of what I was given. From patient, to volunteer for every event possible, to eventually serving on the Board of Directors, and now, humbly Chair. I want you to know that our hearts go out to anyone who’s been impacted by the virus, either directly or indirectly. For those who have lost loved ones, we extend heartfelt thoughts and prayers. For those who are ill, we wish you a full recovery. And to the frontline healthcare workers, especially those at Callen-Lorde, we are in awe of your dedication and inspired by your selflessness in caring for those in need. It is no hyperbole to say that Callen-Lorde saves lives. And it is the people at Callen-Lorde, the staff – from the front desk to the facilities team to the medical providers – that make all this possible. When the pandemic descended on the City in March, the staff banded together in the face of danger, even as PPE dwindled, even when morale was low, relying on homemade masks and gowns to keep themselves safe as they cared for our communities. They stayed the course to make sure that the most vulnerable could still receive the quality care they needed. Because that’s who Callen-Lorde is – good people. Good people who care about each other, who care about you, and who care about our community. I am so deeply honored to serve as Board Chair to help steer this incredible organization that touches so many lives. As you read on, keep in mind the people behind these stories, behind the data, and behind the facts – who work tirelessly to make this all possible. Thank you for your support and partnership in this journey. Lanita A. Ward-Jones, Chair of the Board of Directors 7 COVID-19 IMPACT In February 2020, as we monitored the novel coronavirus’ path, our medical providers and nursing staff gathered to discuss necessary precautions should the virus come our way. This was not the first time Callen-Lorde had dealt with an epidemic. In 2012, a deadly meningitis outbreak among men who have sex with men descended upon the city. We worked closely with the NYC Department of Health and responded aggressively with education campaigns and vaccines, helping to contain the spread. In 2014, we prepared to meet a potential Ebola outbreak head on, which was narrowly diverted. And of course, Callen-Lorde played (and continues to play) a critical role in the community-based response to the devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic that ravaged the gay community and communities of color in New York and across the country. On March 1st, the first case of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in New York City was confirmed. By March 11th, Callen-Lorde began providing tests. Supplies of masks, gloves, soap, sanitizer, gowns and other PPE were quickly dwindling and becoming impossible to restock.