News November 2021

Holidays! Family! World AiDS DAY, Giving Tuesday, International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers -  OH MY! It's definitely the BUSIEST time of the year at HIPS!
But it's also a great time to think about what's bringing us joy in our life. HIPS's work is often hard, but creating safe space for growth and healing is always worth it! And, you, our dear supporters, also bring us joy and we are so grateful for you!
Please find some time for yourselves to reflect, relax, and read through our latest news and learn a little more about HIPS staff, programs, and ways to get involved. 
Not sure what to get for gifts? We can help - Order HIPS swag for the holidays! Shop Now
We are always thankful for all the support we receive from folks like you this year and every year. Thank you.
-The HIPS team

​Feeding Our Family

This time of year is about food, family, and gratitude.  For many, HIPS is a place to connect with supportive people in their lives.  HIPS thanksgiving meal started as a potluck more than 10 years ago, and has grown into a treasured tradition.  While pandemic protocols make it a little harder to enjoy a full family style meal, we think we do pretty well showing our appreciation to everyone who helps make HIPS a great place.  ​

Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy Services

We love to promote our wins for the community and our Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy program is definitely in that category. Despite the restrictions and challenges that the pandemic created, HIPS began this new service in January. It started with a small group of 30 trans and nonbinary folks.
Why Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy at HIPS?
The program came about because our clients asked for it.  We were so happy to be able to engage in this expansion of our small clinical services even during a pandemic! 18 of the participants are HIPS drop-in clients and the remaining 12 heard about the HIPS program through word of mouth. Once introduced, they can take advantage of other services HIPS offers, if they choose. 11 of those that started on Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy are also enrolled in our non-medical case management program for HIV + individuals led by Ms. Earline Bud. Additionally, we've relinked 18 people that were out of HIV care back to care in the last year and began treating one new positive. To make things as accessible as possible we offer telephone and in person visits.
HIPS new staff members Michelle Spikes and FNU Imani play a huge part in the program’s success. Working as guides that have been through the experience themselves, they can best shape the program based on actual and anticipated needs of Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy participants. Beyond being invaluable listeners, Michelle and Imani help with things like insurance navigation, links to resources like food banks or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food insecurity, or housing and utility assistance, and perhaps most essential, they teach clients how to advocate for themselves. 
HIPS is uniquely qualified to create the necessary environment of community and care that makes clients want to seek Gender Affirming Hormone services and address other health concerns once they feel comfortable. We are currently exploring ways to expand the program next year.

Earline Budd
Non Medical Case Management Specialist ​

FNU Imani
​Community Health Worker

Michelle Sparks 
Community Health Worker

BUY SWAG NOW

Welcome to New Staff Member
Shah Mahmood Musakhil
Grants Manager
​(He/Him/His)

Shah moved to the US in 2018 and started B. A. (Corporate Accounting) from W.P. Cary School of Business. He plans to complete his degree by the spring of 2023. Shah holds an MD in medicine from his country Afghanistan as well.
Shah has experience in the international development field. He has experience of 20 years extensive work both as a development practitioner and health worker. During this time, he performed different professional jobs with local and international companies, non for profits and other community-based organizations. 
In addition, Shah is a native speaker of Pashto language and has fluency in English, Hindi, Persian, Arabic and Urdu languages as well.

 HIPStar Shareese Mone
 (She/Her/Hers)

​A Boston native, Shareese came to live in the District in 1985. She has not always worked in the “traditional way.”  She began working with HIPS in 2016. With her natural business, problem solving, and outreach skills she found her home in the Philanthropy department. Shareese has been lending her talents as the Development Coordinator since 2019. 
Shareese is a Founding member of Sex Worker Advocates Coalition (S.W.A.C) created to address the disproportionate impact of criminal laws on trans women of color, in particular those engaged in or perceived to be engaged in sex work. 
Her focus on providing opportunities to DC’s TRANS Men and Women and the L.G.B.T.Q.A.  community through lived experience makes her an asset to HIPS. She truly lives her motto; Unity in Our community.

We asked Shareese a few questions...
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Receiving my first proclamation in 2016 “International day to end violence against sex workers” celebrated on the day, December 17th. This was the first time the words “sex worker” was ever used in a proclamation. This ignited fuel in my fire to Advocate for Sex work is work.  This is an Annual Event dear to my heart that continues receiving proclamations to this date.
What is your current state of mind?
I’ve been so used to not having it, that to obtain something feels like I should’ve already had it. I feel embarrassed to celebrate as I should. My state of mind is fragile because of the emotional ways of life, wanting to be appreciative and needing help all at the same time, and too proud to ask.
What is your motto?
I am proud to focus on giving my best efforts to providing opportunities to TRANS Men and Women of Washington DC as well as the L.G.B.T.Q.A.  Community, making the Community a better Space, understanding SELF, while learning to understand others.  Unity in Our Community.
Thank you for sharing Shareese! 

Local Artist Shares a
Portion of Sales With HIPS

Candid Almond

One of our greatest gifts is when local folks care enough about our mission to help raise the donations that make our work possible. Deb Almond is one of those people, and we were excited to reach out and learn a little more about them!

Learn more 

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Get Involved

Join HIPS in Honoring World AiDS Day

Join HIPS in Honoring 
World AiDS Day 
with a storytelling event in collaboration with the Mayor's Office on LGBTQ affairs.  

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Dec 1st, 6pm - 8pm in Petworth.  

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International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers

The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers (December 17th) began in 2003 as a way to memorialize the sex workers murdered by serial killer Gary Ridgeway, the Green River Killer, in Seattle, Washington throughout the 1980's and 1990's. The recurring day of memory was the first major event organized by the Sex Work Outreach Project-USA (SWOP-USA), the organizing of which was led by Dr. Annie Sprinkle and Robyn Few.  Now, December 17th is a time where sex workers and their loved ones, all around the globe, remember those who have been lost to anti-sex worker violence, but individuals, the state, and stigma-related fatalities.
To learn more about December 17th, see the list of names for this year, or add a name to the list, please visit SWOPUSA

Related Events: 
Pole Party: On Muvas DC and SWAC would like to come together for the 1st ever Pole Party: Pole Competition and Showcase.
In order to find new and innovative ways to celebrate the National Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, SWAC and On Muvas will bring dancers from the DMV area together to compete for 3 cash prizes and showcase their amazing pole skills and performances. The purpose of the event is to show solidarity between SWAC and On Muvas, but also is to encourage joy in our activism and joy in our advocacy as we work towards creating a better world for sex workers and folks in our communities that are constantly marginalized.
The event will occur online, December 18th, starting at 3:30 PM - more details to come!
Screening:
HIPS is holding a screening of War on Whores (2019) with an after show panel where we will discuss the needs of sex workers in our community and what organizing is necessary for a better D.C.; one where sex workers are safe, loved, and thriving.
The event will occur online, December 17th - more details to come!

Volunteer

Winter 2022 Volunteer Applications are now open.
​Please Save the Date for orientation on Saturday, January 22, 2022
Learn More