In The News

The restoration [of the German American Club] remains [METRO’s] fundraising focus through the end of 2020, a year in which one of its largest annual fundraisers has been postponed. Its 2019 Cocktail Party raised nearly $110,000 for its essential health and community services but will not proceed in light of COVID-19.

There’s a certain guilt or shame that comes when people who are confided in — whether young or old — are unable to help peers contemplating self-harm, said Carolyn Redmond, a licensed clinical social worker and the behavioral health manager at Metro Inclusive Health in St. Petersburg.

Organizers noted that they will continue to raise funds for Floridians affected by HIV/AIDS through a combination of virtual and physical challenges. Additionally, anyone can participate this year by committing to log 165 miles, minutes or other measurable metric for the physical activities of their choice.

Tampa Bay-based Metro Inclusive Health and the LGBT National Help Center have both reported an increase in young people seeking their help since the pandemic started. … [METRO] has tried to combat COVID-19 isolation by taking its four weekly LGBTQ youth groups online.

The Plus Project announced the first recipients of its philanthropic efforts July 21, awarding $54,900 in grants to Tampa Bay nonprofits serving the LGBTQ community.

Following a year-long review process, Metro Inclusive Health today announced they have achieved national accreditation from the New York-based Council on Accreditation
(COA).

‘It starts with a small portion of the trans health care, and then it later progresses to other areas of our community, where they’re slowly taking away rights,’ said Kiala Emmons, a service navigator at METRO who helps direct patients toward the services they need, or refers them to partner specialists and surgeons.

Metro Inclusive Health, CAN Community Health and community leaders closed out Pride Month June 30 at the German American Club, committing to double inclusive services in Tampa Bay by 2021.

METRO Inclusive Health is expanding and renovating a new location on North Nebraska Avenue.

Today, METRO announced that it has received designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike, meeting federal guidelines identified by the Health Resources and Services Administration as a community-based healthcare provider.

The “Stay-In” LGBTQ+ Youth Camp is being hosted by St. Petersburg nonprofit Metro Inclusive Health. Kids get a colorful box packed with activities, snacks and a shirt.

A new PBS series exploring LGBTQ identity [featured] some Tampa Bay-area figures in an episode airing next week.

Metro Inclusive Health has been named one of 14 new partner organizations of PowerOn, the technology program which supports LGBTQ communities nationwide.

Successes and Challenges Facing HIV Service Providers in Tampa Bay.
We spoke to Rebecca Nessen, M.P.H., vice president of strategic initiatives at Metro Inclusive Health.

“We have more people coming in now because you have those people that don’t want to wait that 20 minutes,” Prevention Specialist with Metro Inclusive Health Shirlene Manuel said. “They say it lasts a lifetime. The people that we do the blood work on where we have a two day turn around on the blood work also think that’s a lifetime. To get that result in a minute has made more people want to come in and get tested.”

“U = U,” or Undetectable equals Untransmittable, has become somewhat of a slogan for some members of the LGBTQ community.

Shopping for clothes can be a challenge for members of the transgender community. In many cases, they are figuring out a whole new wardrobe, which can be expensive and stressful. There is a store in St. Pete that’s specifically catering to their needs.

Saturday’s Trans Fashion & Health Expo in St. Petersburg was a day long event intended to help the transgender community gain access to resources and services.

Metro Inclusive Health has announced the honorees for its annual Cocktail Party, scheduled for Nov. 9. METRO utilizes the annual event to fundraise for its many essential health and community services offered throughout Tampa Bay. The 2019 gathering will be headlined by recording artist and LGBTQ advocate Deborah Cox.

Say cheers, St. Pete, because international recording artist Deborah Cox is performing in the Sunshine City. The prolific performer will headline METRO Inclusive Health’s annual cocktail party, which takes place on November 9 [2019], benefiting the non-profit organization’s LGBTQ+ programming.

Metro Inclusive Health (the second-largest LGBTQ+ Center in the U.S.) has tapped Grammy-nominated singer Deborah Cox to play its Annual Cocktail Party on November 9.

The mission of the cocktail event is to mix, mingle, raise funds and raise awareness for hurdles the LGBTQ community faces as its members try to lead the same normal lives their neighbors do.

Workplace classes about navigating pronouns, gender identity and sexual orientation are getting more popular in the local customer service scene.

Tech Data’s diversity director, Cal Jackson, is slated to deliver a keynote speech at this year’s LGBTQ+ career fair hosted by Metro Inclusive Health.

Lou Reed’s not here, but if he were he’d be extending a personal invitation to Metro Inclusive Health’s Saturday fundraiser, KINK – An Art Affair, at the Metro Community Center in St. Petersburg.

Alongside specially-created works by 35 of the area’s top LGBTQ+ and ally artists, there’ll be erotic performers – from Florida Community Boot Black, Florida Leatherboy 2019, Electro and Impact Play, Male Review Tampa and more – and interactive fetish installations for the curious.

Dr. Luke Johnsen, medical director of Metro Inclusive Health, answer[ed] questions about hepatitis during a class Aug. 6 at the organization’s St. Petersburg office.

Metro Inclusive Health, CAN Community Health and Alliant Partners began the restoration of Tampa’s German American Club for their Tampa expansion Aug. 15.

The partners announced their plans for the expansion in April after acquiring the historic venue, located at 2105 N. Nebraska Ave. Metro and CAN currently lease space at 1315 E. 7th Ave. in Ybor.

Restoration has officially begun on the historic German American Club in Ybor City. The building, constructed in 1909, will soon serve as a new state-of-the-art facility for Metro Inclusive Health (METRO), and CAN Community Health.

This Saturday, you can see how more than 30 LGBTQ and ally artists interpret love, lust, and sexual empowerment at Metro Inclusive Health’s KINK. The event is one part art auction, one part fundraiser, and one part sexual empowerment. “We like to think of this as more than just an art show,” says Metro’s Chief Marketing & Experience Officer Brian Bailey. “It’s an art immersion experience.”

METRO Inclusive Health is bringing KINK – An Art Affair to the Burg for one night only. August 17, get ready to take part in what they’re describing as an “interactive experience with zero shades of gray”.

The 21 and up only event promises to offer a first-person opportunity to explore the concepts of KINK. At the same time, subtly messaging the important of self-awakening and safe sex practices.

Metro Inclusive Health and The Dru Project joined forces to host “Stonewall to Pulse: A Community Discussion,” which is the first-ever community-wide, intergenerational panel event featuring individuals who experienced milestones in LGBTQ+ history.

“I attribute about $2.5 million in sales to LGBT buyers or couples that have come to the area, which is probably about half of my individual sales this year, and that’s a huge increase from prior years,” he said.

Poth credited organizations such as St. Pete Pride, Equality Florida and Metro Inclusive Health, which hosted the Chamber event. This is the second year that Poth & Associates has participated in Pride.

I always like to support those organizations that may exist in smaller communities than our own. For me, that is Metro Inclusive Health in Tampa, Fla. It’s important to me because many of these organizations do not have as strong of a donor base and, more often than not, cannot rely on local or state funding. While I am lucky to see the city where I grew up evolve to embrace our community, that is not always the case. These organizations are on the front lines of protecting and nurturing our community and I highly recommend searching for a local organization of your own.

The latest HIV statistics paint a grim picture for African-American communities in much of the country, with Pinellas County identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as extremely high-risk.

Our good friends at Metro Inclusive Health brought the threat of this epidemic to the attention of myself and other south side community leaders, including Deputy Mayor Dr. Kanika Tomalin at a recent small HIV summit. National, state and local statistics were presented that were nothing short of alarming, and we all need to be made aware.

Once a symbol of Tampa’s discrimination, the German American Club Building is now a symbol of inclusion.

It was a century ago that the German American social club shuttered operations and sold its headquarters in response to citywide hatred for Germany’s lead role in World War I.

Metro Inclusive Health and CAN Community Health announced March 28 that the organizations have acquired the German American Club in Ybor to transform the historic building into a state-of-the-art health center.

The organizations unveiled plans to transform the building, which was built in the early 1900s, by adding three floors adjacently attached to its current structure. They noted in a press release that the effort will revive a part of Tampa’s history, create jobs and positively impact the local neighborhood’s economy.

Metro Inclusive Health and CAN Health just revealed plans for a new state-of-the-art health center for the LGBTQ+ community in Ybor City. The two organizations acquired the historic German American Club building in Ybor City at 2105 North Nebraska Avenue.

The Metro Inclusive Health and CAN Community Health (METRO CAN LLC) have been busy working their magic to provide resources for the LGBTQ+ community.

Since launching a a 47,000-square-foot facility in the Kenwood area of St. Petersburg last December, Metro has been working diligently to meet the needs of the community in Tampa Bay, including primary care, behavioral health, HIV services, STI prevention and sexual health.

A survey shows that about half of oncologists are confident they know the health needs of their lesbian, gay and bisexual patients, and the number drops to a third when it comes to transgender patients.

Metro Wellness & Community Centers has a new name: Metro Inclusive Health. The rebrand announcement, which also includes an overhauled logo design, comes more than a week before the grand opening of the organization’s new health and community center in St. Petersburg.

Metro Inclusive Health–formerly Metro Wellness and Community Centers–unveiled its new name and branding while providing additional details about the organization’s state-of-the-art health and community center Jan. 29.

METRO today revealed a new brand name while providing a first look at the recently completed 47,000 square foot state-of-the-art Health and Community Center in St. Petersburg.

For 26 years, METRO has provided healthcare services that are inclusive of all segments of our community, starting with its roots in HIV case management in 1992.

For the last 26 years, Metro Wellness and Community Centers has offered HIV and other health care services to the LGBTQ community and those with limited or no insurance.

In 2019, the Pinellas-based nonprofit hopes to expand its reach in Tampa Bay with a new name and a revamping of its headquarters.

Metro Wellness and Community Centers will observe the 30th annual World AIDS Day Nov. 29-Dec. 7 with “Let’s Talk,” a campaign featuring educational and testing opportunities across Tampa Bay.

“It is vital that those in our community have an opportunity to be successful in today’s workplace,” Metro Division Director of LGBTQ+ Programs Nate Taylor tells Watermark. “Being able to receive resume and interview assistance is a critical step in obtaining what could be someone’s forever career. I am very happy that we can provide this opportunity and look forward to seeing it succeed.”

According to the Florida Department of Health, HIV infections are rising in much of Pinellas County, Tampa Bay, and Florida. Metro Wellness and Community Centers is enlisting “My Little PrEPpy” and a free limited run t-shirt to encourage testing and education about PrEP, a daily pill that can reduce exposure to HIV by up to 99%.

He Fought For Transgender Rights In Colombia. Now He Worries As A U.S. Citizen. The day after he came out, she took him to buy

Metro Wellness & Community Centers announces annual benefit, honorees Metro Wellness & Community Centers will hold its annual fundraiser on Nov. 10, benefitting the organization’s

For its annual event benefitting LGBTQ+ community programming, Metro Wellness and Community Centers is naming three outstanding awardees that represent excellence and leadership in our Tampa Bay community. The awardees are Deputy Mayor Dr. Kanika Tomalin, Christina Burke, and Todd Richardson. This year’s event will feature a “PeaCocktail Party” theme.

Monthly reports and surveys by Visit St. Petersburg-Clearwater show the Sunshine City could already be on its way: 4.1 percent of respondents in the May 2018 profile identified as LGBTQ, meaning lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer/questioning. That may seem like a small percentage, but it equals roughly 18,000 visitors.

In St. Petersburg, local ice cream and coffee are new additions to the LGBTQ Welcome Center. A recently opened store at the Grand Central District’s safe haven for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community members has started serving up Kahwa Coffee and Working Cow Ice Cream, alongside free Wi-Fi.

Seven community organizations have partnered to form Zero Pinellas, an initiative granted $2,207,694 over three years to reduce new HIV infections in Pinellas County by at least 50 percent.

Metro Wellness and Community Centers — currently providing Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) to 584 patients throughout Tampa Bay — has announced that nearly half of those patients have begun receiving care within the last year.

HIV is on the rise in Florida and young people don’t seem to care Robert Marquez was 18 when he got the news that would

When it began providing HIV services, it had half a case worker. Now, the leader at Metro Wellness oversees a more than $20 million budget and 170 employees in seven Tampa Bay area locations.

James Keane connects the LGBTQ community with his work at Metro Wellness When James Keane moved from Boston to Florida in 2007, he reached out to Metro

Mayor Rick Kriseman raises rainbow flag over St. Pete City Hall … Kriseman was joined by St. Pete Pride Executive Director Luke Blankenship and city