The Open Clinic
:The Open Clinic
Free and Anonymous HIV/AIDS
Testing in Jerusalem
ABOUT US
Welcome to the Open Clinic – the only LGBT health resource in Jerusalem!
In a city where conservative culture deters at-risk populations from receiving HIV/AIDS testing, the Open Clinic has created unprecedented accessibility to HIV/AIDS testing for the city’s residents, whether they identify as LGBT or not. Founded in 2007, the clinic provides the only free, anonymous, rapid-result HIV/AIDS testing service in the city. Created by the community, for the community, it offers a medical “safe space” where clients receive care and counseling from professional staff that are sensitive to their needs and concerns and free of prejudice. The clinic has shown a remarkable ability to reach at-risk populations, including ultra-orthodox men, new immigrants and Palestinians.
The Open Clinic is located within the Jerusalem Open House for Pride and Tolerance (JOH) at 2 HaSoreg St., 1st floor (at the intersection of Jaffa St. and Shlomotzion HaMalcha St. in the city center). The Clinic also serves as the JOH's health-related advocacy branch, dedicated to the notion that access to appropriate health care is a fundamental human right.
Our clinic is funded by donations. We ask those clients who are able to donate 50 NIS to cover the cost of their test so that we can continue to provide free HIV/AIDS tests to those in need.
DONATE NOW TO FIGHT AIDS IN ISRAEL
To donate to the Open Clinic click here
Thank you for helping the Open Clinic provide free, anonymous HIV/AIDS testing in Jerusalem!
HIV/AIDS TESTING
Open Clinic Hours:
Sundays 5:00-8:30 PM (rapid testing available until 8:30)
Please note: Due to increased interest in our services, at times we must stop accepting new clientele for rapid testing as early as 8 PM. Please arrive as early as possible to ensure you receive a rapid test. Thank you!
What to Expect when Getting Tested at the Open Clinic:
Getting tested is a responsible decision and we promise you a sensitive, and non-judgmental experience.
Pre-test Counseling
The first step in the testing process is a pre-test counseling session. During this session you will receive an ID number that will be used for the duration of your visit to ensure your privacy and anonymity.
Your counselor, who was trained by experts on sexual health, will describe the test itself and will give you the option of taking a rapid or non-rapid test. He or she will also provide information about the transfer of HIV/AIDS, safe sex practices and other sexual health issues. Feel free to ask him/her any questions you might have. You can also get free condoms from the counselor.
The Test
After the pre-test counseling session, one of our staff members will show you into the room where the testing will take place. During the test a sample of blood will be drawn by an experienced medical professional trained specifically to take blood. The sample will then be prepared using the rapid test kit in the Open Clinic and sent to the Hadassah Hospital Labs to be analyzed.
The Results
With a rapid test, results should take about 30 minutes. During that time, feel free to relax in our waiting room and read the available information or think of additional questions you may have for the Clinic staff. When you hear your number, your results will be given to you personally by a staff member in a private room.
If you took a non-rapid test, please come back to the Open Clinic the next Sunday during testing hours to pick up your results. Getting the results to your lab test is your responsibility.
Other HIV/AIDS Testing Centers in Israel
For a list of other HIV/AIDS testing centers in Israel (written in Hebrew), please click here to be redirected to the Israel AIDS Task Force website.
VOLUNTEERING
New volunteers are always needed!
Doctors, nurses, HIV/AIDS field workers, therapists and mental health professionals are welcome to join our professional clinical staff. We are also looking for help with data-entry, statistical management, and grant writing. Hebrew proficiency required.
If you are interested in volunteering at the Open Clinic, please contact clinic@joh.org.il.
LGBT HEALTH SERVICES
The doctors are in!
If you have any questions concerning sexual health, please do not hesitate to email us at clinic@joh.org.il or to come into the clinic to consult with a counselor or doctor. We can also provide guidance in finding LGBT-friendly doctors in Jerusalem.
Health Resources and Links:
HIV/AIDS
For a basic overview of prevention, transmission and symptoms of HIV/AIDS, visit the patient's page on HIV/AIDS created by the Journal of the American Medical Association here.
For a more in-depth review, visit the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease's website on HIV/AIDS by clicking here. You can also browse Medline Plus, a website sponsored by the National Institute of Health and the U.S. Library of Medicine, which has lots of information, including discussions of alternative therapy and disease management, by clicking here.
If you prefer a more interactive explanation, Medline Plus provides an online tutorial through the Patient Education Institute that you can start by clicking here.
For HIV positive gay and bisexual men, GMFA provides a comprehensive website, including discussions about relationships and how to disclose your HIV status which you can access here. For women, "Treat Yourself Right" – a resource developed by the Australian Federation for AIDS organizations – can be accessed here.
Information on PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis):
CHAPS
Websites on Living with HIV/AIDS:
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
On managing side effects – Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO)
AIDS and pregnancy:
LGBT
General Health Resources:
For a general overview of LGBT health concerns, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) page here. Alternatively, for LGBT health-related news, healthcommunities.com has a comprehensive website you can access here.
If you would like information on quitting smoking and smoking's relationship to the LGBT community, check out the National LGBT Tobacco Control Network's website here.
Men
Safer sex and STI prevention – The Terrance Higgins Trust
More sex and sexual health tips, including solutions to common sexual problems and a 'How risky is…' section – GMFA, the gay men's charity
General health concerns for gay men – The Body
Women
General health concerns, including what topics to broach with your doctor and STI prevention tips - US Department of Health and Human Services
Lesbian and Bisexual Women's Health Report with good links on everything from breast and gynecological cancer to mental health issues to discussions of women's sexual pleasure – International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA)
Health information as well as a compilation of research and recent news in lesbian health - Lesbian Health Research Center (LHRC)
Transgender
An introduction to transgender health issues – Gender & Health Collaborative Curriculum
A general overview of trans health issues – Healthcommunities.com
Trans health-related activism and a guide for how to get appropriate medical care – The National Center for Transgender Equality
A site dedicated solely to transgender health issues with discussions on everything from electrolysis to hormones to surgery – transgendercare.com
Mental Health Resources:
No list of LGBT-friendly mental health professionals in Israel currently exists, but feel free to contact us and we can direct you to one.
For a general overview of LGBT-related health issues from the National Alliance on Mental Health click here. For an alternative review, check out a page here from the National Institute of Health (NIH).
CONTACT US
Tel: +972-2-6250502 ext. 4
Fax: +972-2-6253192
Email: clinic@joh.org.il
