The Arlene Cooper Community Health Center is readying for its ribbon cutting ceremony

The LGBTQ+ Community Center of Southern Nevada is launching a campaign this month that will lead to a ribbon cutting ceremony at the naming of the Arlene Cooper Community Health Center.

Arlene was a beloved and honored member of the The Center team who was the mother of the LGBTQ+ community in Southern Nevada. Few people are as dearly loved as Arlene and she left an indelible mark on everyone she encountered.

The Center has been committed to honoring Arlene since her passing in 2018, safeguarding her legacy as she lives on in the hearts of everyone who calls The Center home.

While The Center will never replace the remarkable individual who Arlene was, the goal is to remember her commitment to the community, and work toward ensuring everyone feels the love she was known to unconditionally express toward everyone.

The naming of the Arlene Cooper Community Health Center will take place on Jan. 31 as part of the Bob Forbuss Day event at The Center. The namesake of The Center’s home is in honor of community leader, Robert “Bob” L. Forbuss. Bob was also an honored and highly admired member of the LGBTQ+ family in Southern Nevada and he left an inspiring legacy on all who knew him.

The Center recently announced that every year on Jan. 31, Bob’s birthday, events and activities will be held at The Center that are indicative of what mattered most to Bob, and his tireless work to ensure a better life for youth and the LGBTQ+ community.

The Center has a vision to continue expanding services in the clinic in testing and treatment of sexual wellness, education and healthy living support, focused on the health
of LGBTQ+ individuals and low-to-moderate-income residents throughout Southern
Nevada.

Far too many LGBTQ+ Americans experience challenges when seeking health care, which can intensify whatever worries they might have about their health.

► 73% of transgender people reported that they believed they would be treated differently by medical personnel because of their LGBTQ+ status.

► 29% of lesbian, gay and bisexual people reported that they believed they would be treated differently by medical personnel because of their LGBTQ+ status.

► 52% of transgender people reported that they believed they would be refused medical services because of their LGBTQ+ status.

► 9% of lesbian, gay and bisexual people reported that they believed they would be refused medical services because of their LGBTQ+ status.

► 56% of lesbian, gay and bisexual people reported that they had experienced at least one of the following types of discrimination from health care providers: refusing to provide needed care, refusing to touch them or using excessive precautions, using harsh or abusive language, blaming them for their health status or being physically rough or abusive.

► 70% of transgender and gender non-conforming people reported that they had experienced at least one of the following types of discrimination from health care providers: refusing to provide needed care, refusing to touch them or using excessive precautions, using harsh or abusive language, blaming them for their health status, or being physically rough or abusive.

The Arlene Cooper Community Health Center, which will house the current MGM Resorts International Health and Wellness Clinic, will provide services in response to the continuing health crisis and urgent need made only worse by the COVID-19 pandemic,
which has disproportionately affected LGBTQ+ people and, in particular, LGBTQ+ people of color. The Center soon will offer a comprehensive program of services including primary care and a pharmacy that will complement The Center’s existing HIV and STI testing and mental health services.

Everyone who knew Arlene experienced her incredible attention to the care and concern for others, especially LGBTQ+ people, so it is fitting that The Center’s new Community Health Center will be named for her.

For more information, contact The Center at 702-733-9800, or info@thecenterlv.org