S.F. gay health
center undergoes changes

Officials with San Francisco's Magnet health center, a gay men's community health clinic located in the city's Castro neighborhood, are making several changes to better position the clinic to become more financially secure, reports the Bay Area Reporter. The center is working to become an independent nonprofit organization, to form a board to oversee its operations, and to broaden its funding base.

The center currently relies heavily on city health department grants for HIV and sexually transmitted disease testing and counseling but found itself struggling when one expected grant did not come in this year. Steven Tierney, the city health department's HIV and STD prevention director, bailed out the organization this summer but required that the agency improve financial oversight and appoint a board of directors.

Magnet also held focus groups on December 5 to help guide the clinic's future outreach and service programs for San Francisco's gay community. Currently, Magnet offers HIV and STD screenings, art exhibits, Internet access, and meeting spaces for gay organizations and hosts other community events. (Advocate.com)