Meet the Staff: Jocelyn

Photo of Jocelyn Jacoby in a grey shirt with a blue background. Photo is centered over rainbow background with geometric shapes.

Welcome Jocelyn Jacoby (she/her) to the DC Center! Jocelyn is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker and will be joining the DC Center as the Anti-Violence Program Director and Psychotherapist. Jocelyn’s background is in managing victim hotlines and she is grateful for a position to directly serve LGBTQ+ survivors of trauma in her community of Washington, DC. She is excited to join the Behavioral Health Services team and to meet all the activists involved with the Anti-Violence Project. Jocelyn especially looks forward to working in a place that is openly queer and the opportunity to create a safe space for those in crises. You can meet Jocelyn at the DC Center on weekdays and some evenings. 

Birthdate, Astro Sign

July 5th: Cancer Sun, Libra Moon, and Sagittarius Rising. 

 

Where are you originally from? 

I was born in California, raised in Montgomery County, Maryland, and my family has lived in NYC for the past decade. 

 

Why did you start working at the DC Center? 

In Hebrew, tikkun olam roughly translates to “repair the world” and is a signature theme of Jewish tradition. I am always looking for mission-based work that aligns with my values and gives me meaning. I was thrilled by the opportunity to join the DC Center in  educating, empowering, uplifting, celebrating, elevating and connecting the LGBTQ+ community of Washington, DC. This position was especially exciting to me because it combines advocacy and program management opportunities along with clinical services. It is my belief that I can better understand the needs of LGBTQ+ trauma survivors by working at the individual level alongside the community level.

 

What has been your favorite part about working at the DC Center?

My favorite part of working at the DC Center has been getting to know the staff members and the wonderful work they do. It is such an honor to be part of this group. 

 

What is your music anthem? 

Having just received my Spotify Wrapped, I can confirm with data that my most listened to artist is Lorde. Once the weather starts warming up, I am listening to Solar Power on repeat. In the darker months, I am more likely to be listening to Liability on Melodrama. 

 

What is your favorite part about the LGBTQ+ community? 

My first instinct was to say resiliency, however, I hesitate because resiliency forms through adversity. I hate the expectation that those who face oppression and hardship have to be resilient. We should be allowed to be soft, to be taken care of. So instead of resiliency I will say joy. Yes the joy in the face of hardship, but also the joy fostered by kinship, art, and unique individuality. My wish is that this queer joy can exist in a world that does not challenge it. 

 

What is your favorite spot in DC and what do you do there? 

I adore living in Washington, DC and have many favorite spots. I love being able to be in a city and also escape into nature. The U.S. National Arboretum in particular holds a special place in my heart. I try to visit throughout all the seasons. I sit and admire the foliage in autumn and smell the flowers in the spring. I take friends and show them how expansive and peaceful it is. 

 

What is your favorite queer movie?  

Two of my favorite queer movies are But I’m a Cheerleader and Paris is Burning. I love the camp and aesthetic in But I’m a Cheerleader and the queer history and incredible vogueing shown Paris is Burning. 

 

What color would you paint the White House, given the chance?  

Pink! If I was in charge, basically everything would be pink. I can add Pink by Lizzo as a newer music anthem in my life. Barbie core has been fabulous and I will continue to choose everything pink even after it is out of style.

 

Who do you look up to in the queer community?

There are so many historical and current queer activists and icons that I look up to. Two I want to highlight are Audre Lorde and Victoria Cruz. Being exposed to Audre Lorde’s work nearly a decade ago played a foundational role in my feminist and queer identity. Her intersectional approach to confronting injustices is one I have tried to internalize along with her emphasis on love. Victoria Cruz is an LGBTQ+ and anti-violence activist whose entire career has been an inspiration to me. She is well known for organizing alongside iconic activists such as Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. She also served as a Domestic Violence Counselor and Advocate at the NYC Anti-Violence Project. I can only hope to emulate the work she’s done with LGBTQ+ trauma survivors. 

Community Resources For The Holiday Season

Graphic entitled "Community Resources"

The holiday season can be a time of joy and celebration, but it can also be a time when our health and wellbeing are at risk. For many LGBTQ+ people, who may face discrimination, rejection, and isolation from their families and communities. In addition to these external stressors, the holiday season can also bring its own set of mental health challenges, such as increased stress, loneliness, and depression. The DC Center has gathered a range of information to help you navigate the holiday season with your safety and mental health in mind.

If you are having an emergency please consider these options for assistance:

Emergency Shelter & Housing:

DC Shelter Hotline: (202)-399-7093 (24/7, provides free transportation) 

LGBTQ Shelter “Living Life” Alternative: 202-560-5457 | 400 50th St SE

Virginia Williams Family Resource Center: (202)-526-0017 (Women & Families) | 920-A Rhode Island Ave NE, 20018

Basic Needs (Showers, Laundry, Food, Etc.):

S.O.M.E. (So Others Might Eat) : (202) 797-8806 71 O St NW, 20001

Bread for the City: (202) 265-2400 1525 7th St. NW (Holiday Closures/Hours

Hunger Lifeline (202) 644-9807 , assistance in finding emergency food help

Thrive DC: (202) 737-9311 1525 Newton St NW Washington, DC 20010 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Mental Health / Substance Use/ Victimization Support: 

Local Services:

In the District you can get help 24/7 with a mental health crisis by calling 988

Maryland Mobile Crisis: (240)-777-4000   |      Virginia Mobile Crisis: (703)-573-5679

Substance Abuse Support and Referral Center (ARC): (202) 727-8473 75 P Street NE (enter on Florida Avenue near the P Street intersection)

The Triangle Club (LGBTQ+ Recovery Support): (202) 659-8641 1638 R St NW Suite 120, 20009  

NAMI DC Helpline: (202)-466-0972  Monday–Friday, 10 am – 6 pm EST

DC Victim Hotline: 844-4HELPDC (844-443-5732)

Nationwide:

SAGE National LGBT Elder Hotline(877)-360-5428 (24/7)

Trans Lifeline: (877)-565-8860

Trevor Lifeline (LGBTQ Folx under 25): (866)-488-7386 

LGBT National Help Center: 888-834-45644

IMAlive: Online Chat (24/7) OR  LGBT ADULT Crisis Text Line* – Text HOME to 741741

The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (24/7, anonymous, confidential support)

The National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

Holiday Support: 

DC Center “Xmas Day Hangout” : (Zoom link) December 25 @ 1pm – 2pm

We Are Moving!!! Read Our Press Release About Our New LGBTQ+ Community Center

Street view of the outside of the DC Center's New Space

We’re so excited to share the big news!

We’re Moving!

Check out all the details about our new location in our press release and watch this space for more details to come!

This amazing next chapter in our LGBTQ+ community members lives needs your support!

Please click here and donate what you can to help support the creation of our new space!

Click here to read our press release

 

  • thumbnail of the press release

 

 

Rendition/Photo Credit: Hickok Cole, our architects on this project

Binder Donation Project

The DC Center is excited to continue their partnership with GC2B Transitional Apparel! GC2B has reached out to many organizations in the DC area and provided free binders for them to give away, and the DC Center is fortunate enough to be one of them.  This program is ending soon though so get your Binders soon.

Everyone and anyone is welcome to come by the DC Center at any point during regular office hours (12-6 pm Monday through Friday and 11-3PM on Saturday) and get fitted for a free binder!

Sizes range from XS to 5X depending on what we have available

We have received 50+ binders from GC2B! If your size is unfortunately not available you can order one directly from GC2B

This is a no-gatekeeping event. Whoever you are, whatever you look like, whatever you need your binder for, come by the DC Center and pick up what you need for FREE!

Questions? Call the DC Center at 202-682-2245 or email [email protected]

Also please visit the GC2B website here and support them by buying their merch if you can or spreading the word.

Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington presents – LGBTQ+ Postnatal Group

Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington presents –
LGBTQ+ Postnatal Group:

“This group is specifically designed for the LGBTQ+ community who have welcomed a new baby into their family in the past year. Our goal is to create a space that fosters a supportive community for new parents. We welcome birthing, adoptive or gestational carrier LGBTQ+ families who are within the first year of their baby’s life. You can attend this group as a the birthing person, partner, alone or together.
This free, biweekly group is led by Mel Kennedy. Mel is an experienced doula in the DMV, a student midwife, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Registration includes yourself + a support person (free). Offered on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month at 10:30am-12pm.”

Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington presents: LGBTQ+ Prenatal Group

Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington presents
LGBTQ+ Prenatal Group:

“This group is specifically designed for the LGBTQ+ community preparing to welcome a baby into their family. Our goal is to create a space that fosters a supportive community for soon-to-be parents. We welcome birthing, adoptive or gestational carrier LGBTQ+ families who are at any stage of pregnancy. You can attend this group as a pregnant person, partner, alone or together.
This free, biweekly group is led by Mel Kennedy. Mel is an experienced doula in the DMV, a student midwife, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Registration for this group includes includes yourself + a support person (free). Offered on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month at 7-8:30pm”

Free at Home HIV and STI Test Kits for DC,MD and VA residents

From the convenience of your home you can privately get tested, you can now order a free at home HIV and STI test kit, these tests require no proof of income or insurance. DCs program is administered by the DC Health Department. MD and VA’s programs are run by the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Disease Prevention, with support from the Maryland Department of Health, Center for HIV Prevention and Health Services. Test kits are mailed discretely in a USPS box.

 

Maryland and Virginia residents click here

DC residents click here

 

Desde la comodidad de su hogar, puede hacerse la prueba de forma privada, ahora puede solicitar un kit de prueba de VIH e ITS gratis en el hogar, estas pruebas no requieren prueba de ingresos o seguro. El programa de DC es administrado por el Departamento de Salud de DC. Los programas de MD y VA están a cargo de la División de Prevención de Enfermedades del Departamento de Salud de Virginia, con el apoyo del Centro de Servicios de Salud y Prevención del VIH del Departamento de Salud de Maryland. Los kits de prueba se envían por correo discretamente en una caja de USPS.

Residentes de Maryland y Virginia, haga clic aquí

Residentes de DC haga clic aquí

Undetected: More Than A Status

In honor of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and Black History month,  join us  for our special programing highlighting the strengths and weaknesses in the black community and how we move forward – together – stronger . will be a having a candid talk about how HIV and Stigma affects the black community , paneled by local and national activist from around the United States. One of our panelist is Shawnte Spriggs, Shawnte Spriggs is a phenomenal speaker, writer and advocate who continues to do phenomenal work in the Black community for individuals living with HIV. From facilitating support groups and attending grant meetings to the birth of her prolific book, Undetected: More Than A Status, Shawnte has continued to battle HIV stigma towards advancement of the Black community. Below is a quick synapsis of her book. For individuals who join our programming, we will be offering free copies of her inspirational book.

Summary: 
Undetected is a quick and easy read to help better understand the emotional challenges and outcomes a person living with HIV can undergo during their journey to overall wellness. This book is designed for individuals diagnosed with HIV, their Friends and Family and anyone servicing people living with HIV. This book will: (1) Show you common emotions and mindsets associated with this diagnosis; (2) Review the effects of past and unresolved Trauma; (3)Share various ways support can possibly look for a person living with HIV; (4) Provide practical and healthy tips to render positive and productive results.

Purchase a Copy

Amazon link

 

FDA Approves 1st Long-acting HIV Drug Combo, Monthly Shots

HIV Working Group

U.S. regulators have approved the first long-acting drug combo for HIV, monthly shots that can replace the daily pills now used to control infection with the AIDS virus.

Thursday’s approval of the two-shot combo called Cabenuva is expected to make it easier for people to stay on track with their HIV medicines and to do so with more privacy. It’s a huge change from not long ago, when patients had to take multiple pills several times a day, carefully timed around meals.

“That will enhance quality of life” to need treatment just once a month, said Dr. Steven Deeks, an HIV specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, who has no ties to the drug’s makers. “People don’t want those daily reminders that they’re HIV infected.”

Cabenuva combines rilpivirine, sold as Edurant by Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen unit, and a new drug — cabotegravir, from ViiV Healthcare. They’re packaged together and given as separate shots once a month. Dosing every two months also is being tested.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Cabenuva for use in adults who have had their disease well controlled by conventional HIV medicines and who have not shown signs of viral resistance to the two drugs in Cabenuva.

The agency also approved a pill version of cabotegravir to be taken with rilpivarine for a month before switching to the shots to be sure the drugs are well tolerated.

ViiV said the shot combo would cost $5,940 for an initial, higher dose and $3,960 per month afterward. The company said that is “within the range” of what one-a-day pill combos cost now. How much a patient pays depends on insurance, income and other things.

Studies found that patients greatly preferred the shots.

“Even people who are taking one pill once a day just reported improvement in their quality of life to switch to an injection,” said Dr. Judith Currier, an HIV specialist at the University of California, Los Angeles. She consults for ViiV and wrote a commentary accompanying one study of the drug in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Deeks said long-acting shots also give hope of reaching groups that have a hard time sticking to treatment, including people with mental illness or substance abuse problems.

“There’s a great unmet need” that the shots may fill, he said.

Separately, ViiV plans to seek approval for cabotegravir for HIV prevention. Two recent studies found that cabotegravir shots every two months were better than daily Truvada pills for keeping uninfected people from catching the virus from an infected sex partner.

 

 

 

Sourced from The National Broadcasting Company