Page 8 - Adelante Magazine March 2025

Your Health

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By: Jerry P Abraham, MD MPH CMQ
Photo by: Yuri Arcurs | Dreamstime.com

Despite Tough Times, We Stand Together

These are tough times for our
community. Under the Trump ad-
ministration, many of us are feel-
ing the impact of dangerous
policies attacking public health,
immigration, and civil rights. The
government is cutting funding for
the Centers for Disease Control &
Prevention (CDC) and medical re-
search, putting our health at risk.
For LGBTQ+ people of color—
especially Latin@s and Black
folks—these changes are even
more dangerous. Our healthcare,
our safety, and our future in this
country are under attack.

In Los Angeles, we’re still recover-
ing from devastating wildfires, and
now we’re facing even more de-
struction—this time from Washing-
ton, D.C. The government is
making deep cuts to medical re-
search and programs like Medi-
Cal, Medicare, and Social
Security. These programs help
millions of people, including immi-
grants and migrant workers who
have been recently insured. But
now, they’re on the chopping military and has removed health- showing up for one another—
block, threatening the lives of our care protections for gender-non- This year’s Super Bowl halftime make a difference. We are here.
seniors, low-income families, mi- conformingpeople. show by Kendrick Lamar was a We see you. We stand together. If
grants, and those who need Anti-immigration policies are tear- powerful reminder of that fight. His you ever need help, reach out.
healthcare the most. ing Latino families apart, leading to performance spoke to everything There are people ready to support
more deportations and family sep- we are experiencing—how Amer- you.
At the same time, our financial se- arations. For those of us who are ica continues to take advantage of
curity is at risk. The government is both LGBTQ+ and Latinx, these Black and Brown people, how the No matter what happens in Wash-
attacking Social Security, leaving attacks cut even deeper. We are wealthy and powerful are hoarding ington, we must remember our
many wondering if they will have fighting on multiple fronts—against resources while the rest of us strength. Our communities have
anything left when they retire. racism, homophobia, transphobia, struggle. Yet, his music reminded fought through worse, and we will
Public education is also under and xenophobia—all at the same us that we belong here, that we fight through this too. Stay strong.
threat, limiting opportunities for our time. are strong, and that we will not be Stay connected. And never stop
children. And as if that wasn’t erased. Those in power may not pushing for the justice and dignity
enough, the administration is So, what do we do? How do we listen, but the rest of the world is we all deserve.
weakening our Justice Depart- survive these dark times? We look watching, and we must make sure
ment, making it harder to fight for to our past. Our ancestors, our our voices are heard. And remember, you can visit Dr.
fairness and equality. All of this is elders, and our communities have Jerry P. Abraham and the JWCH-
happening while dangerous world faced oppression before and still In these moments of uncertainty, Wesley HIV Street Medicine Team
leaders are watching, making the found ways to resist, survive, and take a deep breath. Ask yourself: at Tempo Nightclub every Sunday
future feel more uncertain than thrive. Even in times of fear and What can I do to protect my com- night. Come get HIV-tested,
ever. suffering, people have found ways munity? How can I bring joy and PrEP’d, and all your LGBTQ+
to sing, dance, and hold onto joy. hope to those around me? How health questions answered. We
One of the biggest attacks has That is part of our power. No can I stand up for my people? are here for you.
been on LGBTQ+ rights. The gov- matter what, we must keep fight- Even the smallest actions—sup-
ernment has tried to ban trans- ing, keep loving, and keep sup- porting local organizations, help-
gender people from serving in the porting one another. ing a friend in need, or simply
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