Project Healthy Iowa Men and the LGBTA Alliance joined to provide free, confidential HIV and sexually transmitted disease testing as a part of Pride Week.

“Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men are more severely affected by HIV than any other group in the United States,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The project’s mission is to “stop HIV in its tracks” according to its website. It is a nonprofit funded by the CDC.

“I believe that it’s extremely important to provide as much accessible free and confidential testing for at risk populations, specifically gay and bi men,” said Blake Miller, president of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Ally Alliance, who was helping run the event.

Project Healthy Iowa Men began in 2012, with its first HIV testing event at Iowa State in September of that year. Delta Lambda Phi fraternity organized the testing in 2012.

“It’s been a good partnership with DLP and the alliance because I’m an [alumnus], I know people here, so they are aware of what we stand for and what we do,” said Callen Ubeda, new media coordinator for Project Heathy Iowa Men.

Ubeda said he hopes to change the community norms about HIV testing. He said that getting tested does not mean one is promiscuous, only that anyone who is sexually active should be getting tested as a part of his or her routine.

A table covered with brochures about safer sex practices, common diseases and safer sex supplies was set up outside of room 136 inside the Union Drive Community Center from 1 to 5 p.m. April 23.

Ubeda said the project has done a lot of outreach within the LGBT community in the past two years, so it is trying to spread awareness of the organization to those who may not know about it.

Project Healthy Iowa Men is trying to focus on are those who may not be out or do not identify as gay or bisexual but have sex with other men, Ubeda said.

“A lot of that behavior, because it is so secretive, they don’t seek out the proper screening and testing or don’t ask the appropriate questions as far as their partners,” Ubeda said.

Miller said he thinks it is important for people who may not be open about their sexuality to know that there are free and confidential services available and that it’s important to know one’s HIV and STD status.

“I’d like to see as many people get tested as possible,” Milller said.

The LGBTAA initially tried to have the testing in the Memorial Union, but all of the spaces were full, Miller said.

Miller said they have organized the testing at the Union Drive Community Center before, and when the Memorial Union was full he decided it would be a good spot because of the foot traffic.

People can schedule confidential testing on Project Healthy Iowa Men’s Facebook page or website.