Cuyahoga County Board of Health Partners with HOT to Expand HIV Testing Access

CLEVELAND, OH – The Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBH) has partnered with Haus of Transcendent (HOT) to distribute HIV home test kits across Greater Cleveland, with a special focus on nighttime community outreach. This initiative supports HOT’s goals outlined in its AIDS Funding Collaborative and Healthy Lakewood Foundation grants, which aim to improve healthcare access for more LGBTQI2S+ individuals.

“For many LGBTQI2S+ people, traditional healthcare settings can be difficult to navigate due to stigma or a lack of culturally competent care,” said Jordi Luke, CEO of Haus of Transcendent. “By expanding access to at-home testing, we’re empowering individuals to take charge of their health in ways that work best for them.”

The program officially launched in February 2025, and in its first month, HOT distributed 60 HIV home test kits. By reaching people in nightlife settings, community hubs, and through direct outreach, HOT and CCBH are ensuring that more individuals have access to testing and critical health resources.

“Twist congratulates HOT on their exciting partnership with the CCBH to distribute HIV home test kits, expanding healthcare access for LGBTQI+ individuals in Cleveland. Twist and Resident Queen Malibu Peruu recognize the vital role HOT plays in our community. That’s why on March 6th, Malibuu Peruu is hosting a fundraiser at Twist to support HOT’s efforts to ensure more LGBTQI+ people have access to both stable housing and healthcare.” – Cody Cammarn, GM of Twist Social Club.

The distribution effort builds on HOT’s broader commitment to improving health equity for LGBTQI2S+ people. In addition to test kits, outreach efforts include education on HIV prevention, referrals to affirming healthcare providers, and access to PrEP and other critical services.

Cuyahoga County remains a priority area for HIV prevention, with recent data highlighting disparities in testing rates and access to treatment. By leveraging HOT’s deep community ties and CCBH’s public health expertise, this initiative aims to bridge those gaps and promote long-term wellness.

As the program continues to expand, test kits will remain available through HOT’s community events, nightlife outreach, and partner organizations. Community members interested in supporting this work can sign up to become a HOTTIE (volunteer) at HOTcle.org/hottie.

This collaboration represents a critical step toward improving healthcare access and ensuring that more LGBTQI2S+ individuals in Greater Cleveland have the resources they need to prioritize their well-being.