Mazzoni Center

To provide quality comprehensive health and wellness services in an LGBTQ-focused environment, while preserving the dignity and improving the quality of life of the individuals we serve.^[3]

Founded in 1979, the Mazzoni Center was originally known as the Lavender Health Project, a volunteer health subcommittee at the Gay Community Center (now known as the William Way LGBT Community Center).^[4][5]

The group was formed just two years before the HIV/AIDS epidemic was first recognized. Its areas of original focus included clinical services for gay men & lesbians, health education, and advocacy work; however, responding to the AIDS epidemic became the health agency's primary concern during the 80's and early 90's.^[5]

In 1981, when the group became incorporated, it changed its name to the Philadelphia Community Health Alternatives (PCHA).^[4][5] The PCHA quickly organized the Philadelphia AIDS Task Force (PATF), which became the first AIDS service organization in Pennsylvania.

In 2003, the organization renamed itself to the Mazzoni Center, after Dr. Peter Mazzoni, a volunteer physician and board member.^[4][5] Dr. Mazzoni had served as the clinc's medical director, was an openly gay and HIV-positive physician, and died in 1990 at age 31.^[6]

Today, the Mazzoni Center is the oldest HIV service provider in the state.^[3]

• Medical Care: Services focus on LGBT needs. The Mazzoni Center has partnered with Thomas Jefferson University’s Department of Family and Community Medicine to provide healthcare at a clinic located near the hospital.^[7]
• HIV and STD Testing: The Mazzoni Center offers free, confidential HIV and sexually transmitted infection screenings at the Washington West Project in Center City Philadelphia.^[8]
• Atención del VIH : Se ofrece gestión de casos médicos para clientes que necesitan ayuda para obtener atención médica, seguro, beneficios públicos, alimentos, vivienda, tratamiento de salud mental, tratamiento para el abuso de sustancias y otros recursos. ^{[ 9 ]}
• Educación para la salud : Los servicios del Departamento de Prevención/Educación ofrecen educación, divulgación y servicios de asesoramiento. ^{[ 10 ]}
• Asuntos legales : Se ofrece asistencia legal a personas LGBT de bajos ingresos que enfrentan discriminación, acoso, problemas familiares, redacción de testamentos y más. ^{[ 11 ] [ 12 ]}
• Grupos de apoyo para asesoramiento y salud conductual : Existen programas de tratamiento para la salud mental y el abuso de sustancias disponibles para individuos, parejas y familias. ^{[ 13 ]}

En agosto de 2017, el Centro Mazzoni canceló un panel de discusión sobre la detransición en la Conferencia de Salud Trans . ^{[ 14 ] [ 15 ]} Los organizadores de la conferencia declararon: «Cuando un tema se vuelve controvertido, como este que se ha viralizado en las redes sociales, existe el deber de asegurar que el debate no se descontrole en la propia conferencia. Tras varios días de deliberación y revisión de las opiniones, el comité organizador votó que los talleres, si bien eran válidos, no podían presentarse en la conferencia según lo previsto». ^{[ 16 ]}