Ain’t No Shame: Care Tips for HIV/STI Testing for Black Trans & GNC Folks
Let’s be real — for a lot of us, just thinking about getting tested for HIV or STIs can induce anxiety. Whether it’s the waiting, the stigma, or just the awkwardness of it all, testing can bring up a lot. And for Black trans and queer folks, that stress can be even heavier while we’re out here facing doctors who misgender us, clinics that are hours away, and a system that often acts like our health doesn’t matter.
But getting tested is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself and your community. We know so much more now than we did a generation ago. Testing is quicker and easier than ever. HIV treatment and prevention have come a long way, and people living with HIV have full, thriving lives and loves.
Taking control of your sexual health says, I care about my body, my pleasure, and my people. And there’s no reason to let fear or shame stop us.
Here are a few tips on how to make the process feel less like a punishment and more like an act of freedom:
Own Your Power
Knowing your status is power. Testing doesn’t mean you’ve been “bad,” it means you’re taking control. And if you do test positive, today’s treatments can get you to undetectable, which means you can’t pass HIV to partners. That’s not scary, that’s science.
Resource: HIV.gov has a locator tool to find free or low-cost HIV testing, PrEP, and treatment near you.
Find a Space That Sees You
Find a testing spot that actually sees you. In addition to TKO, many LGBTQ+ centers, health departments, and grassroots organizations provide free or low-cost testing that’s affirming and judgment-free. If you’re in a rural area, look for mobile testing vans or pop-up events — sometimes they even come with snacks and a DJ.
Southern Resources:
The Knights & Orchids Society (TKO) – Free HIV/STI testing, PrEP navigation, and peer support across Alabama | tkosociety.com
Southern AIDS Coalition – Connects you to HIV resources and advocacy across the South | southernaidscoalition.org
AIDS Alabama – Testing, housing, and mental health services statewide. | aidsalabama.org
Squad Up
Testing doesn’t have to be lonely or scary. Bring a friend, a partner, or that cousin who hypes you up for everything. Or pop in your headphones and blast your favorite playlist while you wait. This is about your care and your comfort.
Drop the Shame
Testing isn’t about guilt. It’s about care. Sex is part of life — and we deserve joy, intimacy, and pleasure without fear or judgment. If your results are positive, that doesn’t change your worth. You’re still loved, still desired, and still deserving of a full life.
Support if You Test Positive: TKO can help you navigate care. Also, The Well Project offers info and community for people living with HIV, especially Black women and other trans folks.
Make It a Routine
Testing shouldn’t just be for “when something feels off.” Think of it like getting a haircut, checking your car tires, or doing your skincare routine — regular upkeep. Normalize it with your partners and friends so it feels less like a chore.
Resource: The CDC’s GetTested site helps you find HIV/STI testing by ZIP code, so you can build it into your routine.
Getting tested is radical self-care in a world that often tries to tell us our lives don’t matter. But we know better. We deserve to thrive — in our bodies, in our bedrooms, in our communities. So go ahead, set that appointment, turn up the music, and walk out knowing you just did something powerful for yourself and the people you love.
