This year, Strut turns 10!
We’re proud that our bold, innovative health and wellness center in the Castro turns 10 this year. For a decade, we’ve been your place for sexual health care, PrEP and HIV services, trans care, Queer art shows, and so much more.
If it’s been awhile since you’ve stopped by to visit–come by! There’s more services and events at our location than ever. And, you can now make appointments for our HIV and sexual health services online–no more ticket machine on the sidewalk outside the building.
We celebrated ten years of service in June, the only way we knew how. With drag performances, a DJ, and plenty of time with our community out in the Castro sun on Strut’s balcony.
Thank you to Honey Mahogany and Nikki Jizz, our hosts; DJ Mama Celeste; Narcan-awareness Queen Kochina Rude; and performers Major Hammy and Mgm Grande who kept the party going.
And, to President of the Board of Supervisors Rafael Mandelman, and Senator Scott Wiener, who have been champions of our work from Day 1, and presented us with a Certificate of Honor from the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and a California Senate Resolution honoring our work at Strut.
Ten years ago, Strut opened its big glass doors to the community. We were ready to bring Queer sexual health, substance health, harm reduction, and support services into the light–no shame, no blame, no judgement.
We opened in 2016 to serve “gay and bi men” and fairly soon expanded our sexual health services at the Magnet clinic to transgender community members. Now, we welcome folx of all identities and sexual orientations, with an emphasis on serving members of the LGBTQ+ community. We’re here to serve you!
Our well-regarded community PrEP program began at our Magnet clinic, before it moved to its current location at Strut. By 2016, we had provided 1,000 people with PrEP. Now, we’ve served more than 10,000 people with this important prevention tool, and now provide long-acting injectable options in addition to oral options.
In addition to the PrEP, HIV, and sexual health services we’re known for, we’ve been able to serve our community in bold and brave ways during public health crises over the years.
In 2020, more than 20 of our staff pivoted their work to join COVID-19 contact tracing, case investigation, and quarantine support. The services at Strut remained open during the pandemic, and when vaccines became available we were able to hold vaccine clinics to essential workers and eventually community members.
In 2022, we sounded the alarm on the mpox crisis, and quickly moved to offer testing, treatment, and vaccines when they became available. Through regular appointments and pop-up events, our clinical team vaccinated more than 2,000 community members.
This last year, we opened the SFAF Pharmacy on the first floor of Strut, to better meet the medication and PrEP needs of our clients. If you haven’t visited us yet, stop by when we’re open to transfer your prescriptions!
Over 10 years at Strut, we’ve provided care during 181,725 clinic visits, provided 121,837 HIV tests, started 5,208 people on Doxy PEP, provided gender-affirming care to 353 Trans Care clients, started 859 people on rapid HIV care, and hosted more than 100 art shows.
Thank you to all in our community who have contributed to the success and reach of Strut over the years.
