Planned Parenthood Resumes Free Weekly Syphilis Testing at Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center

For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2014

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MEMPHIS, TN — Beginning tonight, Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region (PPGMR) will resume offering free syphilis testing each Wednesday night, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center.

For several years, PPGMR has offered free HIV testing at Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center. The testing program had to be halted in February after the Director of the Tennessee Department of Health rescinded grants previously awarded to Planned Parenthood to provide the testing and prevention counseling services.

Last month, United States District Judge William Haynes granted a preliminary injunction to stop the Department of Health from excluding Planned Parenthood from the HIV and syphilis testing and prevention programs.

The resumption of funding means that PPGMR is once again able to offer free HIV and syphilis testing to women and men at its health center at 2430 Poplar Avenue during regular health center hours, and at Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center on Wednesday nights.

Additionally, PPGMR offers free weekly HIV testing and prevention counseling at the following off-site locations at the following times:

• GetWell Community Clinic, 3055 Watson Street
  Each Monday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• The University of Memphis, University Center, Room 203
  Each Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (except for school breaks and exam weeks)
• Caritas Village Coffee Shop, 2509 Harvard Avenue
  Each Friday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“Partnering with community groups to offer free and non-judgmental testing and prevention counseling services is a vital part of Planned Parenthood’s mission to improve access to reproductive health care in the Mid-South," said Barry Chase, PPGMR President and CEO. “Making HIV and syphilis testing accessible and convenient means more people will be tested and treated, ultimately reducing the rates of these very serious infections in our community.”

For more information about Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region’s services, please visit our website at https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-memphis-tennessee.

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Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region (PPGMR), founded in 1938, is an affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. PPGMR’s mission is to ensure broad public access to reproductive and related health care through clinic services, education, advocacy and community partnerships in serving 42 counties in West Tennessee, North Mississippi and East Arkansas.