HISTORY 

In 1999, Zuna Institute was born at the kitchen table of sistahs who believe that the black lesbian community can benefit from a national presence. The discussion focused on creating an organization that would advocate on behalf of black lesbian's on a national level. While it is apparent that Black Lesbians across the country are doing the grassroots work to improve the quality of our lives, Zuna want's to build on this work by creating an organization that would advocate our position on issues on a national level. The founders also want to bridge the gap between geographically dispersed organizations and communities to provide a vehicle where we can join forces to become a more visible national community.

MISSION     

Zuna Instititue is a National Advocacy Organization for Black Lesbians that was created to address the needs of black lesbians in the areas of Health, Public Policy, Economic Development, and Education.

VISION      

The vision for Zuna institute is to call upon our national collective wisdom, strength and courage to improve the quality of Black Lesbians lives, by eliminating barriers that we face on a daily basis. These barriers are deeply rooted in public policies that encourage homophobia, economic and educational injustices, and all other forms of discrimination

PURPOSE      

Zuna Institute is a not for profit national advocacy organization for Black Lesbians. Its focus is the economic development, education, public policy support, and improved health of its constituents. Through community organizing, training, and networking Zuna institute will focus on eliminating barriers that black lesbian's face within the black community based on sexual orientation and in the LGBT community based on race. Zuna Institute will also host a bi-annual national conference where black lesbians come together to address the issues of our communities and organizations.

In 1999, Zuna Institute was born at the kitchen table of sistahs who believe that the black lesbian community can benefit from a national presence. The discussion focused on creating an organization that would advocate on behalf of black lesbian's on a national level. While it is apparent that Black Lesbians across the country are doing the grassroots work to improve the quality of our lives, Zuna want's to build on this work by creating an organization that would advocate our position on issues on a national level. The founders also want to bridge the gap between geographically dispersed organizations and communities to provide a vehicle where we can join forces to become a more visible national community.

MISSION     

Zuna Instititue is a National Advocacy Organization for Black Lesbians that was created to address the needs of black lesbians in the areas of Health, Public Policy, Economic Development, and Education.

VISION      

The vision for Zuna institute is to call upon our national collective wisdom, strength and courage to improve the quality of Black Lesbians lives, by eliminating barriers that we face on a daily basis. These barriers are deeply rooted in public policies that encourage homophobia, economic and educational injustices, and all other forms of discrimination

PURPOSE      

Zuna Institute is a not for profit national advocacy organization for Black Lesbians. Its focus is the economic development, education, public policy support, and improved health of its constituents. Through community organizing, training, and networking Zuna institute will focus on eliminating barriers that black lesbian's face within the black community based on sexual orientation and in the LGBT community based on race. Zuna Institute will also host a bi-annual national conference where black lesbians come together to address the issues of our communities and organizations.

STATUS OF HIV/AIDS IN DC

The Department of Health recently released report entitled  the District of Columbia Annual HIV/AIDS Epidemiology 2007  

The major findings of the new statistics are:

Between 1997 and 2006, almost 70% of all AIDS cases progressed from HIV to AIDS in less than 12 months after the initial HIV diagnosis, primarily due to late testing, compared to 39% nationally.

The District accounted for 9% of all pediatric AIDS cases in the United States during 2005. Between 2001 and 2006, there were 56 children ages 13 or younger diagnosed with either HIV or AIDS in the District of Columbia.

Although African-American residents account for 57% of the District's population, they account for 81% of new reports of HIV cases. African-American women constitute 58% of the District's female population, but account for 90% of all new female HIV cases.

Heterosexual contact in the District is the leading mode of HIV transmission at 37% of newly reported infections, while nationally men who have sex with men lead new transmissions.

The District's rate for newly reported AIDS cases is higher than rates in Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, Detroit, and Chicago.

Nearly every ward in the District is impacted, though Wards 1, 5, 6, and 8 consistently had the highest numbers of residents diagnosed with HIV and AIDS.

The majority of newly reported cases were among residents ages 30 to 49.

SERVICES:

• HEALTH EDUCATION
• WELLNESS PROGRAMS
• INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PYSCHOTHERAPY
• SUPPORT GROUPS
• PEER COUNSELING
• PARENTING SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY
• PRIMARY GYNECOLOGICAL CARE
• PEVIC EXAM
• BREAST EXAM
• PAP SMEAR
• MAMMOGRAM REFERRALS
• CONFIDENTIAL HIV/STD SCREENING

THE MAUTNER PROJECT IS A NATIONAL LESBIAN HEALTH ORGANIZATION THAT SEEKS TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF LESBIANS, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER WOMEN WHO PARTNER WITH WOMEN (WPW) AND THEIR FAMILIES.

THE CLEARINGHOUSE CONTAINS LINKS TO EVERY IMAGINABLE TYPE OF RESOURCE OR ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, & TRANSGENDER (LGBT) COMMUNITY.  IT ALSO INCLUDES AN EXTENSIVE ARRAY OF SPIRITUAL LINKS.  WHATEVER YOUR NEEDS ARE, HELP IS AVAILABLE.

EMPOWERMENT SUPPORT GROUP FOR WOMEN LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS.  FOOD WILL BE SERVED AND TOKES/FARE CARDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO ALL DC RESIDENTS.  THE GROUP IS DIRECTED AT WOMEN WHO ARE LIVING WITH THE HIV VIRUS.  THE GROUP WILL FOCUS ON HEALING, EXMPOWERMENT, SELF ESTEEM AND RELEASING FROM THE CYCLE OF SELF/SOCIAL VICTIMIZATION.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF DC

3937 A MINNISOTA AVE NE

EVERY 2ND & 4TH WEDNESDAY

202-884-5469 epjohnson@cnmc.org