HIM is a nonprofit society that aims to strengthen the health and well-being in communities of self-identified GBQ men and gender diverse people in BC.
A Comprehensive List of Services Available for Your Sexual Health in the BC Interior
Whether you are looking for STI/HIV testing and treatment services, or other resources and services for your sexual health, we are happy to link you to as many services available for you in the BC Interior region.
HIV Self Test Kits
HIM provides free HIV self-test kits by mail to gay, bi, queer men and gender diverse folks anywhere in BC. You can request several kits, which are sent in discreet packaging from HIM headquarters. You can even pick them up at different HIM events. To order them online click here.
Mpox
Mpox (formerly Monkeypox) is a viral infection. It is related to smallpox, but less severe.
Although the global outbreak has been declared over by the World Health Organization, mpox transmission is still of concern for gay, bi, queer men and gender diverse people in certain geographic locations around the world where access to the vaccine may be limited. HIM would like to remind community members that a complete series of the mpox vaccine requires two doses, and to acquire both doses of the vaccine ahead of any pride festivities or travel plans abroad.
Testing for HIV and STIs
HIV and STI testing is a powerful tool in our sexual health toolkit. Testing gives us information and access to treatment that limits the impact untreated STIs can have on our bodies. Knowing our status and treating any STIs we might have reduces the chances of transmitting STIs to our sexual partners.
Testing options in the Okanagan
KELOWNA
Explore your options for STI/HIV testing in Kelowna below:
1. HIM PLUS – On the Go
Connect confidentially with a HIM Staff member who will connect you directly to a local Health Outreach Nurse. Health Outreach Nurses provide free HIV and STI testing, treatment, information, and can help link you with services that might be right for you. If you can’t get to their office or if confidentiality in your small community is of concern, Outreach nurses offer services that are 100% mobile.
Call us at 236-688-4153 for a confidential conversation to learn more and to connect with a Health Outreach Nurse near you.
2. Outreach Urban Health:
This is one of ten Primary Health Care Centres available within Interior Health communities.
Each centre has an interdisciplinary healthcare team that provides a range of services in a single site – i.e. a checkup with your family doctor, a visit to a physiotherapist, pharmacist, or public health nurse. The selection of services offered in each Primary Health Care Centre reflects the unique needs of its community. Call to book an appointment for testing.
3. Valley Medical Labs:
All Valley Medical labs in the Okanagan offer on-demand HIV testing. Walk-ins accepted. No appointment Required.
4. Options for Sexual Health:
Options clinics provide birth control counselling, low-cost contraceptives, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, cervical screening, pregnancy testing, pro-choice pregnancy options counselling, and general sexual health information and referrals. Services are LGBTQ2S+ friendly and for all ages in most locations.
PENTICTON
Explore your options for STI/HIV testing in Penticton below:
1. HIM PLUS – On the Go
Connect confidentially with a HIM Staff member who will connect you directly to a local Health Outreach Nurse. Health Outreach Nurses provide free HIV and STI testing, treatment, information, and can help link you with services that might be right for you. If you can’t get to their office or if confidentiality in your small community is of concern, Outreach nurses offer services that are 100% mobile.
Call us at 236-688-4153 for a confidential conversation to learn more and to connect with a Health Outreach Nurse near you.
2. Penticton Urgent and Primary Care:
This is one of ten Primary Health Care Centres available within Interior Health communities.
Each centre has an interdisciplinary healthcare team that provides a range of services in a single site – i.e. a checkup with your family doctor, a visit to a physiotherapist, pharmacist, or public health nurse. The selection of services offered in each Primary Health Care Centre reflects the unique needs of its community. Call to book an appointment for testing.
3. Valley Medical Labs:
All Valley Medical labs in the Okanagan offer on-demand HIV testing. Walk-ins accepted. No appointment Required.
4. Options for Sexual Health:
Options clinics provide birth control counselling, low-cost contraceptives, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, cervical screening, pregnancy testing, pro-choice pregnancy options counselling, and general sexual health information and referrals. Services are LGBTQ2S+ friendly and for all ages in most locations.
VERNON
Explore your options for STI/HIV testing in Vernon below:
1. HIM PLUS – On the Go
Connect confidentially with a HIM Staff member who will connect you directly to a local Health Outreach Nurse. Health Outreach Nurses provide free HIV and STI testing, treatment, information, and can help link you with services that might be right for you. If you can’t get to their office or if confidentiality in your small community is of concern, Outreach nurses offer services that are 100% mobile.
Call us at 236-688-4153 for a confidential conversation to learn more and to connect with a Health Outreach Nurse near you.
2. Outreach Urban Health Centre:
This is one of ten Primary Health Care Centres available within Interior Health communities.
Each centre has an interdisciplinary healthcare team that provides a range of services in a single site – i.e. a checkup with your family doctor, a visit to a physiotherapist, pharmacist, or public health nurse. The selection of services offered in each Primary Health Care Centre reflects the unique needs of its community. Call to book an appointment for testing..
3. Valley Medical Labs:
All Valley Medical labs in the Okanagan offer on-demand HIV testing. Walk-ins accepted. No appointment Required.
4. Options for Sexual Health:
Options clinics provide birth control counselling, low-cost contraceptives, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, cervical screening, pregnancy testing, pro-choice pregnancy options counselling, and general sexual health information and referrals. Services are LGBTQ2S+ friendly and for all ages in most locations.
Testing options in Thompson – Caribou
KAMLOOPS
Explore your options for STI/HIV testing in Kamloops below:
1. HIM PLUS – On the Go
Connect confidentially with a HIM Staff member who will connect you directly to a local Health Outreach Nurse. Health Outreach Nurses provide free HIV and STI testing, treatment, information, and can help link you with services that might be right for you. If you can’t get to their office or if confidentiality in your small community is of concern, Outreach nurses offer services that are 100% mobile.
Call us at 236-688-4153 for a confidential conversation to learn more and to connect with a Health Outreach Nurse near you.
2. Get Checked Online:
GetCheckedOnline is a free and confidential online sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing service offered by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
3. Kamloops Primary Care Centre:
This is one of ten Primary Health Care Centres available within Interior Health communities.
Each centre has an interdisciplinary healthcare team that provides a range of services in a single site – i.e. a checkup with your family doctor, a visit to a physiotherapist, pharmacist, or public health nurse. The selection of services offered in each Primary Health Care Centre reflects the unique needs of its community. Call to book an appointment for testing.
Testing options in the Kootenays
NELSON
Explore your options for STI/HIV testing in Nelson below:
1. HIM PLUS – On the Go
Connect confidentially with a HIM Staff member who will connect you directly to a local Health Outreach Nurse. Health Outreach Nurses provide free HIV and STI testing, treatment, information, and can help link you with services that might be right for you. If you can’t get to their office or if confidentiality in your small community is of concern, Outreach nurses offer services that are 100% mobile.
Call us at 236-688-4153 for a confidential conversation to learn more and to connect with a Health Outreach Nurse near you.
3. Options for Sexual Health:
Options clinics provide birth control counselling, low-cost contraceptives, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, cervical screening, pregnancy testing, pro-choice pregnancy options counselling, and general sexual health information and referrals. Services are LGBTQ2S+ friendly and for all ages in most locations.
CRANBROOK
Explore your options for STI/HIV testing in Cranbrook below:
1. HIM PLUS – On the Go
Connect confidentially with a HIM Staff member who will connect you directly to a local Health Outreach Nurse. Health Outreach Nurses provide free HIV and STI testing, treatment, information, and can help link you with services that might be right for you. If you can’t get to their office or if confidentiality in your small community is of concern, Outreach nurses offer services that are 100% mobile.
Call us at 236-688-4153 for a confidential conversation to learn more and to connect with a Health Outreach Nurse near you.
2. Options for Sexual Health:
Options clinics provide birth control counselling, low-cost contraceptives, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, cervical screening, pregnancy testing, pro-choice pregnancy options counselling, and general sexual health information and referrals. Services are LGBTQ2S+ friendly and for all ages in most locations.
Access to PrEP
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is an HIV prevention strategy we can use if we are HIV-negative that usually involves taking a pill every day to prevent ourselves from getting HIV. To learn more about accessing PrEP in your community you can call our Health Promotion Coordinator 236-688-4153.
Tele-PrEP
HIM, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), and Interior Health are running a pilot program to help individuals in the Interior access PrEP without a local doctor/prescriber.
The physician team at the BCCDC STI/HIV Clinic in Vancouver offer online virtual health visits to eligible individuals. The initial appointment is booked by calling the BCCDC STI Clinic reception. A nurse will then up by phone to review the process and provide any necessary documents prior to the virtual appointment with the physician. The program includes:
- Assessment
- Required and recommended testing
- Treatment for positive STI results
- Delivery of PrEP for client pick-up
To book an appointment call the BCCDC: 604.707.5600 and request a Tele-PrEP appointment.
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