Public Health Teams Gear Up for Charlotte PRIDE Weekend

The Charlotte PRIDE 2023 festival and parade is gearing up for a weekend of events that celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. Mecklenburg County Public Health (MCPH) team members will be in action at the city’s largest outdoor festival and parade to provide services and information. 

“We look forward to engaging with attendees from throughout our region at Charlotte Pride this year,” said Angela Lee, Mecklenburg County Public Health assistant director for Preventive Health. “Health disparities among the LGBTQIA+ community persist, and Public Health remains committed to removing barriers to care, raising awareness and fighting against stigma—Charlotte Pride is a great opportunity to do that.”

Public Health HIV/STD outreach teams will offer on-site screenings, including HIV/syphilis testing. No appointments are needed, so residents can walk up for the service. Attendees may also access free HIV home tests through the Let’s Get Checked initiative.

“With the national surge in HIV and other STIs disproportionately impacting our LGBTQIA+ residents, we are working to make testing services easily available at no charge in safe spaces,” said Matthew Jenkins, Mecklenburg County Public Health STD/HIV director. “We are very excited to partner with Charlotte Pride again this year and are proudly representing Public Health and Mecklenburg County in this year’s parade.”

Public Health’s Population Health Community Engagement and Tobacco Prevention & Control programs will also provide health education and awareness about resources, services, and initiatives that support health and wellness. An interactive engagement booth will focus on topics like smoking cessation, sexual health, and chronic disease prevention. MCPH will also provide free COVID-19 tests.

MCPH supports PRIDE as we work to reduce health disparities and improve social conditions impacting health for the LGBTQIA+ community.