Positive Connections | HIV+ Support

Positive Connections is a space to share experiences, seek advice and find support from others like you who are living with HIV.

Conexiones Positivas es un grupo que cultiva un espacio para compartir experiencias, buscar consejos y encontrar apoyo de otros como usted que entienden y pueden comprender sus luchas.

Welcome! / ¡Bienvenido!

HIV Is Challenging

HIV is a disease characterized by a high level of stigmatization, although HIV is no longer life-threatening it once was, people living with it can still benefit from strong community, emotional and social support.

Don't do it alone

Finding people you can confide in safely can help create a sense of community and normalize your diagnosis and help you overcome everyday challenges, such as treatment, relationships, prevention, navigating the system, and general well-being.

we're in it together

Positive Connections provides the space to share your experiences, seek advice and referrals, and receive support from others who fully understand what you are going through.

VIH ES UNA LUCHA

El VIH es una enfermedad caracterizada por un alto nivel de estigmatización, el VIH ha progresado en maneras para combatir el riesgo, las personas que viven con VIH todavía pueden beneficiarse de un gran apoyo comunitario, emocional y social. 

NO ESTAS SOLO/A/E

Encontrar personas en las que pueda confiar con seguridad puede ayudar a crear un sentido de comunidad y normalizar su diagnóstico y ayudarle a superar los retos cotidianos, como el tratamiento, las relaciones, la prevención, la navegación por el sistema y el bienestar general. 

ESTAMOS JUNTOS EN ESTO

Conexiones Positivas ofrece un espacio para compartir tus experiencias, buscar consejo y referencias, y recibir apoyo de otras personas que entienden perfectamente por lo que estás pasando.

join us! / Únete a nosotros!

Interested in joining?

Click the sign up button to register and get started!

When?

In English – Tuesday nights from 6:30pm-8:00pm via a zoom call.

what's next?

Once you signup you will receive an email with details about joining the group. If you don’t see an email from us, check your spam folder.

¿INTERESADO EN PARTICIPAR?

¡Haga clic en el botón de registro para registrarse y comenzar!

¿CUANDO?

En Español – Los miércoles por la noche de 6:30 p. m. a 8:00 p. m. a través de una llamada de zoom (virtual).

¿QUE SIGUE?

Después de registrarse, le enviaremos un correo electrónico con detalles sobre cómo unirse a la llamada virtual sobre Zoom. Si no ve un correo electrónico nuestro, revise su carpeta de correo no deseado.

What members are saying

I have been a member of The Positive Connections support group since my diagnosis in 2015. As a career HIV prevention advocate and educator/trainer I had great embarrassment and shame about my HIV+ status. Over the years other participants' stories, daily challenges, and courage have taught greater self-love, acceptance, and to not hide my humanity with all its flaws and nobility. I find that the measure of support you receive on the calls is in direct relation to the willingness to share and not hide your feelings or thoughts. Participating in a group has helped me build a support network and a sense of community. For me, my HIV diagnosis and achieving U=U have been a starting point for rededicating myself to increased self-awareness & compassion and living more freely. I live and love better for it all!

I’m so very grateful to be a part of this group. I’m one of the newer participants but one w/the longest HIV diagnosis. I tested positive in 1988 - back when HIV was considered a death sentence - Which It no longer is - with newer medications. This is Amazing. It does affect your daily schedule & life with taking medication & care of yourself mentally & physically. That’s why we are here as a group. I am very lucky & considered a long time survivor so there have been many things to work through & share. Most others in the group are a more recent diagnosis - but the hope I want to share - is that we are a supportive group with no judgment. We are here only to support & build each other up - share understanding together. None of us have had same path, but we help each other on our future journeys. All ages, race, experiences. No judgment. Just support. We all get surprising support by what others share surprisingly each week. You are welcome here.

The Positive Connections HIV support group has been so beneficial to me as a gay man integrating the shock and ultimate acceptance of having HIV disease. After testing HIV-positive and going through a severe depression because I didn't want to deal with it., I found that going to the group gave me a safe space in which to discuss my fears and the stigma around HIV. The facilitator was kind and compassionate, and, with the support of the other members of the group, I was able to deal with the guilt and shame of having HIV. and work through these issues to gain self-compassion and self-acceptance. The group discusses topics that range from taking medications; aging; issues of dating those who are HIV-negative; the stigma around HIV in society; having sex as an HIV-positive gay man, gender roles, and many other issues. I encourage any person struggling with issues around HIV to attend the group. It was a life-saver for me!

FAQs

How will my privacy be protected? / ¿Cómo se protegerá mi privacidad?

Only our facilitator receives a list of emails and they are never shared. Also, you don’t have to use your real name to sign up or when joining a group.

Sólo nuestro facilitador recibe una lista de correos electrónicos y nunca se comparten. Además, no tienes que usar tu nombre real para inscribirte o cuando te unes a un grupo.

How long have these groups been together? / ¿Cuánto tiempo llevan estos grupos juntos?

This is one of the longest running groups in Austin, founded more than 20 years ago.

Este es uno de los grupos más antiguos de Austin, fundado hace más de 20 años. El grupo en español comenzó en 2023.

Will I be forced to talk if I'm uncomfortable? / ¿Me obligarán a hablar si me siento incómodo?

No, you never need to share if you don’t want to. This is a safe space where you can participate as much or as little as you like.

No es necesario que compartas si no quieres. Este es un espacio seguro donde puedes participar tanto o tan poco como quieras.

Do you have groups in Spanish? / ¿Tienen grupos en Español?

Yes, our first Spanish language group starts April 5th, 2023. Please sign up above and let us know by noting that you’re interested in joining our Spanish language group.

Sí, nuestro primer grupo de español comienza el 5 de abril de 2023. Por favor, inscríbete arriba e infórmanos anotando que estás interesado en unirte a nuestro grupo de español.

Is there a cost to attend? / ¿Tiene algún coste la asistencia?

No, there is never a charge.

No, nunca se cobra.

Kind Clinic offers sexual health services in a safe and supportive environment regardless of race, creed, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or ability to pay.

Founded in 2015 by community activists and volunteers, Kind Clinic is a national leader in innovative sexual health care that offers patients access to HIV prevention medication known as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), HIV testing and care, STI testing & treatment, intersex and gender-affirming care in Austin, Dallas and San Antonio.

Kind Clinic is a program of Texas Health Action, a 501(c)(3) community informed non-profit organization dedicated to providing access to culturally affirming, quality health services in a safe and supportive environment with an expertise in serving LGBTQIA+ people and people impacted by HIV.

Instagram

kindclinic

We offer sexual health & gender affirming services including:
💙PrEP & PEP access
🌈STI testing
💙HIV testing & care
🌈Gender affirming care
#BeKind

We did it yesterday, lets match again today. Donat

Alright baddies, this Friday we will be having a m

San Antonio! We wouldn’t be here without YOU! Yo

Please join us Friday September 22nd, 2023 between

¡Viva la cultura! Hoy es el primer día del Mes d

For National Suicide Prevention Week we worked wit

Load More… Follow on Instagram

Facebook

Kind Clinic is in Texas.

3 days ago

San Antonio! We wouldn’t be here without YOU! Your donation will make our first Big Give San Antonio a success! Make sure you and your network of friends support Kind Clinic and all the services we offer to LGBTQIA+ people in San Antonio, like gender affirming care, PrEP, HIV care, STI testing and more. Give Sept 20-21 to Kind Clinic! #GiveKind #THA #biggive2023 … See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Kind Clinic is at Kind Clinic.