Word that Lyon-Martin Health Services would be closing its doors February 1 struck the San Francisco LGBT community like the tremors that occasionally shake the Castro. The sad news spiraled through social media news feeds, alerting the masses that without an immediate infusion of $250,000, the organization would no longer be able to offer free health services for lesbians and Trans-people in San Francisco.
What no one anticipated was that a weekend onslaught of Facebook messaging, Tweeting and event planning would bring Lyon-Martin 80% of their fundraising goals in just four days. A single benefit–Hotties for Homo Health Care at El Rio on Sunday–raised well over $60,000 from door charges and raffle sales alone.
The rush to save Lyon-Martin is richly deserved. The institution has held ground as a safe, compassionate care facility since 1979. Since 1993, Lyon-Martin also has provided case management and primary healthcare in programs specifically designed for very low-income and uninsured women with HIV.
If you want to help save this amazing institution, you can find out information about upcoming events & donate directly by visiting Lyon-Martin here. We’ll keep you abreast of fundraising events in our San Francisco Events Calendar.
photos of Lyon-Martin fundraiser at El Rio courtesy of Rick Hauptman
