Gay Health Advocacy Project
The Gay Health Advocacy Project (GHAP) is an office under Health Services which promotes the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people on-campus by providing HIV/STI testing, counseling, and treatment.
History
GHAP was established by students and medical staff at Columbia in 1985 in response to the impact of the emerging HIV epidemic on gay men. Through its services, Columbia became the first institution of higher education in the world to offer HIV antibody testing to its students, faculty, staff, and community. It was reported that in 2004 alone, over 1200 members of the Columbia community were tested at GHAP.
HIV antibody testing
GHAP offers free and confidential rapid HIV and other STI antibody testing to the entire Columbia community (including partners).
The office offers walk-in appointments during the Fall, Spring, and Summer. Interested members can use the walk-in hours to get HIV testing or to obtain more information about GHAP's services. Test results are given in person and take 24 hours to process.
Other services
Even if you are not sure that you want a test, trained Peer Advocates are available to answer questions about the testing process or help assess whether you are at risk of HIV or other STI infections.
