Greetings, Gayhounds & Friends!

In Today's Issue

• Health & Wellness Corner
• Education & Advocacy Corner
• Academic Connections
• Upcoming LGBTQ+ Campus Events
• Campus Partner Events
• Connect With Us

The Essentials of Sexual Health & Wellness

We talk a lot about cura personalis—care for the whole person—but what does that really mean when it comes to sexual wellness? It starts with a healthy relationship with yourself and with others. Knowing your boundaries, values, and what feels right for you helps inform how to protect your health.
 

• Your Voice Matters: Communicating your needs and boundaries is essential in any relationship. Take time to understand what makes you feel safe, comfortable, and respected. Whether you choose to be sexually active or not, knowing your personal boundaries is key to your well-being. Prioritizing your mental, physical and emotional wellbeing is part of the discernment process for you and for others.
• Communication is Key: Healthy relationships thrive on open and honest conversations. Talk about what you need to feel safe, respected, and cared for in a relationship.
• Consent Always Comes First: Every interaction should be based on mutual, enthusiastic consent—no exceptions.
• Community Care Matters: Sexual wellness isn’t just about you; it’s about looking out for others too. Staying informed, encouraging open conversations, and practicing safer sex help create a healthier, safer campus for everyone. And as always, respect your and other’s ability to say no.

Being in full control over your decisions means considering all your options, knowing how to protect yourself, and making informed choices. You deserve to feel safe, respected, and confident in your own journey! 

 

Holistic Wellness and Safer Sex

In caring for yourself and your community, being informed about helpful practices and tools to support sexual health is important.

• Know Your Status: Staying informed about your health status helps protect both you and your partners. Regular check-ins with your healthcare provider can help you make empowered decisions about your well-being.
• Get Tested Regularly: Routine STI and HIV testing is an essential part of sexual health. Loyola’s Student Health Services and local clinics offer free or low-cost testing options.
• Stay Protected: While PrEP is highly effective, additional protective measures contribute to overall wellness. Consider discussing different options with a trusted healthcare provider to determine what best supports your health and safety.

PEP and PrEP: Your Allies in HIV Prevention

• PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis): Think of PrEP as your daily armor. It’s a once-a-day pill that can reduce the risk of HIV transmission by over 99% when taken consistently. If you're sexually active and want to stay protected, PrEP might be a great option for you.
• PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis): If you believe you’ve been exposed to HIV, PEP is your emergency response. It must be started within 72 hours of exposure and taken for 28 days to be effective. The sooner you start, the better it works!

The past few weeks have been confusing and scary for our community, but it's important to stay updated on the news so we can translate our frustration and fear into action. Below are a few important headlines to keep in mind and some resources to turn to if you are feeling disheartened, frustrated, or eager to get involved in advocacy work:

Noteworthy News

• President Trump’s executive order ending DEI initiatives has already had an adverse impact on the LGBTQ+ community:
  • Several government agencies have scrubbed resource pages written specifically for LGBTQ+ individuals from their websites to comply with the order
  • The DOJ has shut down DOJ Pride, an employee resource group founded 30 years ago “in the interest and for the protection of all members.”
• The Trump Administration has systematically targeted transgender Americans through a slew of executive orders. Important ones include:
  • The reinstatement of a military ban on transgender servicemembers
  • A ban on gender-affirming care for patients under the age of 19 in hospitals that receive federal funding

***Several groups, including the City of Baltimore, are already taking legal action to fight President Trump’s executive orders

Resources

• Stay up to date with President Trump’s executive orders and their implications for the LGBTQ+ community by following advocacy sites like GLAAD and the HRC
• Consider attending a rally or community event to learn something new! Some to look out for:
  • Transgender Unity Rally on 3/1 in D.C.
•  TRANSEND: Transgender & Non-Binary Support Group on 3/17 (virtual)
• LGBT+ History Month: A Fireside Talk with Rico Jacob Chace on 2/27 (virtual)
• Contact your representatives and make your voice heard regarding President Trump’s executive orders!

Above all, the greatest way to resist is to maintain hope. Look to our LGBTQ+ ancestors and elders who persevered through hard times and found joy throughout. Our office is always here to help!

All the best,

Katie Browne, Class of 2025
Global Studies Capstone Intern

Join the Maryland Department of Health Behavioral Health Administration's Office of Suicide Prevention and the Trevor Project for CARE Training!

When: Tuesday, February 25, 10am - 12pm EST
Where: Online

LGBTQ+ Suicide Prevention & Sensitivity Training

The Trevor Project’s CARE (Connect, Accept, Respond, Empower) Training is an interactive and intensive training that provides adults with an overview of suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) youth, and the different environmental stressors that contribute to their heightened risk for suicide.

The Trevor Project educates youth-serving professionals on the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ young people.

In addition to educating K-12 school staff and educators, healthcare professionals, higher education staff and faculty, CARE training has been presented to adults working in the foster care system, with adjudicated youth, with homeless and runaway youth, to spiritual and faith leaders, and many more.

Join the Maryland Department of Health Behavioral Health Administration's Office of Suicide Prevention and the Trevor Project for Ally Training!

When: Wednesday, February 19, 10am - 12pm EST
Where: Online

LGBTQ+ Ally Training

This cultural competency training is designed to create dialogue around being an adult ally for LGBTQ+ youth by informing participants about common terminology, the “coming out” process, and challenges at home, in school, and the community.

We educate youth-serving professionals on the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ young people.

In addition to the audiences below, Ally training has been presented to adults within the foster care system, those working with adjudicated, homeless or runaway youth, with spiritual or faith leaders, and many more.

Events

There are so many different ways to connect with us!

• Follow us on Instagram @loyolalgbtq
• Pop by our office: 3rd Floor Student Center - Office Suite 315
• Reach out by email: lgbtqservices@loyola.edu
• Schedule a time to meet with Pat (he/him; Director of LGBTQ+ Student Services): Pat Cassidy's Bookings Calendar