Positive Link

About Positive Link

Positive Link is a group for gay, bi, queer, pan, and same-gender loving men and non-binary people who are living with HIV. Every month, we host fun social outings, engaging discussion and support groups, and health education presentations related to living with HIV. We also help people living with HIV to get connected to local resources, programs, and clinics. We want to help you find support from others living with HIV, bring members of our community together, and equip you with tools to thrive. We will provide you with the most current and scientifically accurate information about living with HIV and other aspects of physical, mental, chemical, and sexual health. Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been living with HIV for years, Positive Link has something to offer you.

Rainbow Health support groups are available to people all across Minnesota. If you are living in Greater MN, online and phone support is available 1-on-1 and in groups, right now! Educational workshops on living well with HIV will be available as soon as the current COVID-19 public health emergency abates.

Case Managers & Other Referring Staff:
Click here to get the Peer Support Intake Packet; when complete, email to aidsline@rainbowhealth.org or fax to 612-341-3827.

Programming

Individual Client Meetings: We can meet with you one on one to help you learn about safe sex and risk reduction, living with HIV, or simply provide some peer support around living with HIV. We can also help you get connected to services and make referrals. All individual meetings are confidential.

1st and 3rd Wednesday Suppor+Discussion Groups: These peer-facilitated discussion groups meet twice a month on Wednesday evenings in a safe space for gay and bisexual men living with HIV get-together to learn more about a range of topics. A sample of topics include:

• Living with HIV
• Disclosure (communicating with friends, family, and partners)
• Nutrition and body image
• Intimacy and relationships
• Stigma management/reduction
• HIV treatment
• Building social support
• Mental health management
• Sexual health and risk-reduction

Support + Chat Coffee Night: At least once a month, we pick a Wednesday night to connect with each other at a Minneapolis coffee shop to chat and socialize. There are no set topics and members are free to bring up their own topics of discussion.

Core Group: The last Wednesday of every month is dedicated to participant feedback about past and future programming. Positive Link is “for and by gay/bi men with HIV” and our Core Group ensures we stay true to that mission. All program participants are welcome at any feedback session.

Educational Workshops: Positive Link staff and volunteers plan and coordinate-free dinners at local restaurants where experts present about HIV-related issues.

Hi-5 Social Activities: Positive Link staff and/or volunteers promote and host social activities such as cookouts, movie nights, ice skating, bowling, and visits to museums or popular Twin Cities activities.

Communications

Meetup Group: We use Meetup.com and its related mobile apps to post information about Positive Link facilitated programming as well as allow a platform for our participants to plan their own events with other members of the HIV-positive community and build social connections. Access to the group is screened so that only those who are living with HIV can access the information.

Apply to join our private meetup group

Facebook Group: Positive Link has a secret Facebook group that has nearly 300 members. The group is a resource for clients to share HIV and other health-related information, a place where clients can find social support and facilitate online discussion of hot topics. The group allows clients to maintain a degree of anonymity since only Positive Link participants have access to the group.

Apply to join our private Facebook group

Email Newsletter: On the last Friday of each month, we send out an electronic newsletter to more than 400 program participants with information about what they can look forward to over the next two months.

Sign up for the Positive Link Newsletter

If you need to get in touch with the Positive Link program:

•  email positivelink@rainbowhealth.org,
• call Rik—the Positive Link program coordinator—at 612-373-2463,
• or tap here on your mobile device to send a text.