You know it never hurts to go and get tested for HIV/AIDS. So why not try one the medical centers in the Castro District? The Magnet Health Center, a testing center located on 18th Castro streets, is one of the well-known testing centers in the Castro that is open to everybody.
“I learned a lot when I came here. I never got tested in my life but when I found this place, they gave me plenty of information on how to have safe sex,” said Jason Aguinaldo, a client of Magnet’s. “I would come here again.”
Magnet is home to a lot of gay men who come here regularly to get checked for STDs and HIV. the sexual health services menu does testing and treatment for syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea. They do a confidential rapid HIV antibody testing and provide Hepatitis A and B vaccinations. They don’t test for herpes or HPV.Raid HIV testing results are given within the same day.
Magnet is also a place where gay men come and get connected. In addition to the clinical services, Magnet has something a little extra to add to the clinic. It has an art gallery, lounge and a cafe with wi-fi internet. Magnet is a place where people can feel safe and engage.
“I didn’t know it was an art gallery until I noticed all the big portraits on the wall,” said Aguinaldo. “It’s a great idea to have a cafe with the clinic so people can come and just hang out.”
Magnet is a program of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation who are different in approach to total health. They promote the physical, mental and social well-being of all gay men in San Francisco.
Since there has been a reduction in staff for nurses and need to enable system upgrades, Magnet has new hours of operations that will take into effect in may. Magnet will reduce business hours and these changes will start May 7th to May 31st. They will be closed Mondays and have shorter hours on Wednesdays through Fridays.
The Stro 