New York: HIV Testing Center Opens in Chelsea

Though it has been operating for two months, Gay Men's Health Crisis' (GMHC) HIV testing center in Chelsea marked its grand opening on Sept. 27.

"Our presence here is no accident -- HIV rates in Chelsea have long been disproportionately high," said Marjorie Hill, GMHC's CEO. She pointed out recent Health Department data showing the neighborhood has the city's highest HIV infection rate. Most Chelsea residents contracting HIV are men who have sex with men.

Located at 224 W. 29th St., the GMHC Center for HIV Prevention provides confidential, rapid-result HIV testing. Other offerings include condoms, safe-sex information, and the "condom comebacks" wheel, which suggests responses if one's partner asks for unprotected sex. GMHC partnered with Mom's Pharmacy to provide a full-service storefront where clients can get their prescriptions filled in a safe environment.

Also in the neighborhood, the Health Department maintains its own confidential STD testing clinic at 303 Ninth Ave.

GMHC was headquartered in Chelsea for decades but in April relocated to Hell's Kitchen. For more information about the organization, visit www.gmhc.org.

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