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Ask Nurse Lisa submissions are monitored by ANTHC HIV/STD Prevention staff. All ANTHC staff are mandatory reporters, requiring all staff to report specific harms to the police and/or child protective services. To learn more about mandatory reporting, please visit the State of Alaska Office of Children Services webpage.

This site has been funded at least in part with grant funds from the AmerisourceBergen Foundation (ABF) and the Indian Health Service (IHS). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent official views of the ABF, IHS or ANTHC. No official support or endorsements by the ABF, IHS or ANTHC for opinions expressed on this website intended or should be inferred.

Privacy Policy | Copyright 2020, iknowmine.org. All rights reserved.

Aug 19

Your boundaries are yours to build! 🦾

Sometimes, it can be hard to know if a relationship is something you’re enthusiastic about or want 100% want. A good option is to wait until you figure out what you want before moving forward. You could start by asking your head, heart and body a few questions:
🤔 How is this activity affecting me right now spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally? How will it impact me in the future, like tomorrow?
💜 Do I like this person? Can I trust them?
🚶 What is my ‘gut feeling’ telling me about this?
🚶 Are my physical boundaries being respected by the other person?

If your head, heart and body aren’t in agreement with what you want, it’s likely not a good time to engage in the activity. It is always ok to say ‘no’ and set firm boundaries. ❤️

Learn more about boundaries and consent at: www.iknowmine.org/topic/consent/ (link in bio)

#consentissexy #healthyrelationships

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Jul 29

What is the vulva and why is it important to know?
The term 'vulva' describes the external genitalia of people assigned female at birth.

Everyone's vulva looks a little different, but they're all made up of the same basic parts.
💜 Labia (lips): the folds of skin around the vaginal opening. There are two parts: the labia majora (outer lips) and labia minora (inner lips).
❤️ Clitoris: located at the top of the vulva, where the inner lips meet. Fun fact - only a small part of the clitoris is ever shown, the majority of the clitoris is located inside the body.
💜 Urethral opening: the tiny hole that pee comes out of, just below the clitoris.
❤️ Vaginal opening: The opening right below the urethral opening.

Becoming familiar with vulva anatomy can help you make informed choices about your health. Generally, a good time to loop in a provider about vulval health is:
💜 During a regular physical check-up
❤️ If you experience any itching or burning
💜 If you're pregnant or plan to become pregnant
❤️ If you're at risk for HIV or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
💜 Any time you feel like something may be out of the ordinary or not normal for your body

Learn more about vulvas at Planned Parenthood's site: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/teens/puberty/my-vulva-and-vagina-normal

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Jul 20

It's time for summer mindfulness!

As Alaskans, we often work hard and play harder - especially during summer. Remember to take time for yourself to stay centered and practice mindfulness. Here are some ideas to practice mindfulness throughout the summer months:
😎 Go play out!
As easy as it sounds, go outside, slow down and just enjoy the sun!

🫐 Harvest plants.
Whether it's berry picking or something else, take some time to practice gratitude and reflect on your intentions while harvesting.

🪡 Try a new hobby.
Maybe it's time to finally take up that beading course and make yourself a pair of earrings!

⛺️ Go camping.
It doesn't have to be a grand adventure - somewhere close to home is fine. Take some time to unplug and enjoy the simpler things in life.

Remember, these are just suggestions! Do what works best for you. 🙂

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Jul 6

What is HIV testing like? Here are the main ways to test:
Blood Testing
In a clinical setting, blood is drawn and sent to the lab for testing. This type of blood test may take up to about two weeks to get the results.

Rapid Testing
Rapid tests provide same-day results and are available at a clinic or as a self-test kit. Rapid tests collect samples through either a mouth swab or a droplet of blood from the fingertip. Positive results need to be confirmed with a blood draw.

HIV can be treated! With the right medication, people with HIV can live long, fulfilling and healthy lives without transmitting HIV to others. People with negative HIV results can also prevent transmission with medication. Talk to a health care provider about PrEP eligibility.

Testing is available at a primary care provider’s office or a local testing center. Find a nearby local testing center on the CDC HIV testing resource site, GetTested.cdc.gov. Alaskans can order a free HIV self-test kit at the link in the bio.

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Jun 27

HIV testing is love - love for yourself, your partner(s) and your community.
According to the CDC, encouraging people to get tested and know their HIV status can help them stay healthy. Today, there are more free, easy, fast, and confidential HIV testing options available than ever before. Testing, including self-testing, is the first step to engaging in HIV prevention or treatment services. HIV testing is a critical tool to helping us end the HIV epidemic in the United States.

Learn more about HIV and testing options at iknowmine.org/hiv (link in bio)

Content credit: HIV.gov
Image credit: National Native HIV Network @NativeHIV @NNHAAD

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Jun 23

Traditionally, Indigenous peoples had their own sense of gender identity. Many Native languages have specific terms to describe gender identity, role, status or sexual orientation. The term ‘Two-Spirit’ was coined in 1990 – the intention was to encourage a sense of community, distinguish Native gender identity and reflect deeply embedded cultural contexts.

‘Two-Spirit’ is an evolving concept, and the use of the term is highly personal and is often shaped by an individual’s cultural background. Two-Spirit people are often described to embody a combination of masculine and feminine gender expressions and roles. Two-Spirit people have long held respected social status and sacred ceremonial roles.

Some find that ‘Two-Spirit’ is not a great fit for a variety of reasons. Indigenous cultures are so richly diverse that it’s difficult to find a single unifying term that works well for everyone. Some people choose the term ‘Indigiqueer’ instead. Or others prefer to use the words from their Native languages.

As with any gender identity, ask individuals for their identifying terms. Take some time to learn about the Indigenous traditions around gender identity and sexual orientation specific to the cultures in your area.

References:
Celebrating Our Magic Toolkit by Alessandra Angelino | https://www.healthynativeyouth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Celebrating-Our-Magic-Toolkit.pdf

Indian Health Services | "Two-Spirit | Health Resources" | https://www.ihs.gov/lgbt/health/twospirit/

Okanagan College Library | “Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer” | https://libguides.okanagan.bc.ca/IndigenousStudies/two-spirit-and-indigiqueer

#twospirit #2spirit #2s #indigiqueer #2slgbtq

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Jun 17

EVERYONE has a gender identity. This includes your uppa 👴, gram 👵, uncle 🤓, siblings or cuzzins 👹, mom 🥰, dad 🤠 and YOU! The Gender Unicorn is a tool that can be used in order to explore the different terms related to gender, sex assigned at birth and sexuality.

🦄 Gender Identity: A person's internal sense of being male, female, neither of these, both, or another gender(s). It's helpful to think about gender as a spectrum, instead of a binary. For some people, their sex assigned at birth and their gender identity are not the same.
🦄 Gender Expression/Presentation: The physical manifestation of a person's gender identity through clothing, hairstyle, voice, body shape, etc.
🦄 Sex Assigned at Birth: The assignment and classification of people, usually as an infant, as male, female, intersex, or another sex based on a combination of anatomical or other biological characteristics. It's important to be specific when referring to a person's sex assigned at birth.
🦄 Physically Attracted To: This is otherwise known as "sexual orientation". Did you know that you can be physically attracted to someone without wanting a romantic or emotional attraction or attachment?
🦄 Emotionally Attracted To: This is otherwise known as "romantic or emotional orientation". Physical attraction 🙅 ≠ emotional attraction! There are other types of attraction related to gender such as aesthetical or platonic. These are simply two common forms of attraction.

Learn more about gender identity at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/article/understanding-gender-identities/ (link in bio)

Content and image credit: @transstudent and @PIPofHudson
#PartnersInPride

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Jun 9

Tips for creating safe spaces
📖 Take on your own learning
Find resources for subjects you are unfamiliar with, rather than expecting others to do that for you. Learn about identity bias, stigma and discrimination, as well as their impact on youth. Consider your own biases and what you can do to challenge and grow from them.
💗 Practice humility
Creating a safe space is a continuous learning process that focuses on the needs and wants of others by all members of the safe space community. For example, identity is personal, and a good practice is to respect the variety of factors that make up individual identity.
🤫 Keep things confidential
Disclosing personal information about someone else without their permission can be hurtful and harmful. When someone feels safe to do so, they’ll choose to share their story with others.

When youth feel safe, valued and respected, they grow up with the confidence to advocate for themselves, their loved ones and their communities. Let’s celebrate our youth for the wonderful people they are!

Learn more about 2SLGBTQIA+ Health and Social Issues from the Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/category/community/ (link in bio)

Image credit: @wernative @npaihb

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May 25

Ask which sexually transmitted infections and diseases (STIs) you are being tested for.

Not all STI tests are the same, and no STI test is comprehensive. There's not a single test that covers all STIs. In fact, each STI could have its own test type.

For example, if you test for chlamydia and gonorrhea, your syphilis status is unknown, unless you take a separate test for it. If you have a concern about a specific STI, bring that up with your health care provider to ensure they test for it.

Keep in mind that you might have to take site-specific tests. For example, you might need genital, anal and oral testing. A negative test for a genital site does not necessarily mean you will test negative orally or anally.

To learn more about STI testing, visit https://www.iknowmine.org/topic/sti-testing/ (link in bio)

#Safesex #std #stdawareness #sexualhealth #safersex #sexed #sexualwellness #stdtesting #HIVstigma #endthestigma #safesexisgreatsex

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May 16

Join us in celebrating the contributions of 2sLGBTQ+ Elders who, through their tireless efforts, have positively impacted representation and inclusion for all in our communities.

#NationalHonorOurLGBTEldersDay #NationalLGBTEldersDay #LGBTEldersDay #LGBTElders #SeniorPride #ElderPride #ElderAdvocacy

9 2

May 12

One of the most effective ways to support our friends and relatives and their mental health is to provide safe spaces so folks can thrive as their authentic selves. A safe space is welcoming, supportive, confidential and free of judgement and harmful actions and behavior. Everyone deserves a safe space, whether in public, at home or through the relationships we create and we can all play a role in creating safe spaces.

Quick tips for creating a safe space include:
📘 Take on your own learning
🙏 Practice humility
🙊 Keep things confidential

Learn more: https://www.iknowmine.org/topic/safe-spaces/ (link in bio)

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May 5

Today is National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, a day to honor the memories and experiences of our daughters, cousins, aunties and relatives all over the world.

Join the MMIWG2S Alaska Working Group for an in-person vigil today at 1-4 p.m., located at Umoja on 341 Boniface Parkway, Anchorage 99504. Visit the link in the bio to refer to their Facebook event page for details.

Alternatively, visit the link in the bio to join the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center virtually at noon.

#mmip #mmiwg #mmiw

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May 2

On May 5, wear red to honor our sisters, mothers, daughters and Two-spirit relatives in observance of National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Visit the link in the bio to learn about Alaska-specific information on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons at dataforindigenousjustice.com.

#mmiw #mmiwg #mmip

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Apr 18

It's National Transgender HIV Testing Day, and we can all work together to promote community wellness. Everyone deserves access to health and wellness, but the reality is that many people encounter barriers. One of the best things we can do to promote health equity is to commit to providing safe, inclusive, welcoming spaces where everyone feels comfortable with accessing the care they need.
Quick tips on how to do that are:
🌈 Take on your own learning
🌈 Practice humility
🌈 Keep things confidential
Learn more about how create safe spaces: www.iknowmine.org/topic/safe-spaces/

An additional approach to health equity is to provide options that are secure and convenient. For example, all Alaskans can order free HIV self-testing kits so folks can choose when and where they test, with optional follow-up from compassionate, understanding clinicians at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium's HIV/AIDS Clinical Services program.

Order an HIV self-test kit: iknowmine.org/hiv-testing
Or, find HIV testing options near you: https://gettested.cdc.gov/

#StopHIVTogether #NTHTD #TransHealth
Image credit: CDC.gov | National Transgender HIV Testing Day

9 2

Apr 14

Our friends at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board are looking for participants to complete a survey about HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis knowledge and attitudes. Participate and you might be eligible to receive an Amazon gift card for your time. Please text "survey" to 94449 for details.

Image credit: @npaihb

5 0

Apr 13

It's STD Awareness week, and we'd like to equip you with knowledge to make informed decisions about your sexual health. According to the American Sexual Health Association, 1 in 2 people who are sexually active will get a sexually transmitted infection (STI) by age 25. Basically, STIs are more common than most people think and STI testing and treatment are often routine aspects of health care.

Key facts about STI testing are that it's:
· EASY.
· QUICK & PAINLESS.
· FREE OR CHEAP.
Alaska Native beneficiaries can get free testing at their local Tribal Health Organization. Otherwise, most insurance covers STI testing. There are also free clinics with testing options — check out this testing locator: https://gettested.cdc.gov/
· CONFIDENTIAL.
· GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH.
· BETTER DONE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

Learn more about STI testing: iknowmine.org/sti-testing (link in bio)

Content adapted from yesmeanstest.org by the American Sexual Health Association
Image credit: @wernative

#STIAwarenessWeek #STIAwareness #safersex #getyourselftested #gyt

17 0

Apr 10

Today, 1 in 5 new HIV diagnoses occur in young people ages 13-24.
Young people deserve:
✔️comprehensive sexuality education
✔️HIV-policy modernization
✔️free and accessible testing, treatment and preventative resources

This National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day (NYHAAD) support young ppl living w/ & impacted by HIV:
❤️ Do your homework. Learn about HIV and how it impacts people living with and impacted by HIV.
❤️ Advocate for inclusivity and health equity for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks.
❤️ Seek out resources:
🔹 Learn more about HIV: iknowmine.org/hiv
🔹 Order free condoms, oral dams and HIV self-testing kits, visit iknowmine.org/store
🔹 For PrEP, a medication that helps prevent HIV infection, talk to your local health care provider or visit https://npin.cdc.gov/preplocator to find a PrEP provider near you. (links in bio)

Image credit and content adapted from "NYHAAD Social Media Toolkit" by Advocates for Youth | @advocatesforyouth

12 2

Apr 5

All STAR services for survivors are free of charge.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, contact STAR | @star.alaska:
24/7/365 Crisis Line Support (907) 276-7273
or
Toll-Free Statewide (800) 478-8999

Learn more about STAR here: https://www.staralaska.com/ (link in bio)

8 0

Mar 30

PrEP, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, is a medicine to help maintain HIV-negative status. It is another layer of protection to prevent HIV transmission. PrEP involves taking medication regularly to greatly lower the risk of HIV transmission. PrEP is a safe, low-cost or free medication that works for everyone, regardless of gender identities, sexual orientation and drug-use status.

Unlike condoms, PrEP does not protect from STIs, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia or genital herpes. PrEP should be used in addition to using condoms for increased protection against STIs.

Talk to a medical provider about the risk for HIV transmission and whether PrEP is a good option.

Find a PrEP Provider near you: https://preplocator.org/
Learn more at: https://www.iknowmine.org/topic/hiv-treatment-and-prevention/

#PrEP #safersex #sexed #HIV #StopHIVTogether

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Mar 28

Knowing your HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) statuses are important aspects of practicing safer sex. Testing is the only way to know your status. However, talking to a provider about sexual health can feel challenging. Here are some ways you can start the conversation:
💚 Should I test for HIV?
💙 Could I get comprehensive STI testing?
💜 Can we talk about PrEP?
💛 I'm concerned about my STI status. What can I do?
💚 If I'm positive for STIs or HIV, can you help me notify my partner(s)?
💙 Can my partner and I be tested for STIs together?

Learn more about HIV and STI testing: www.iknowmine.org/topic/sti-testing (link in bio)

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