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The MISTER Center (M.I.S.T.E.R.: Men’s Information Services: Testing Empowerment Resources) is a drop-in community center for gay and bisexual men, located at 60 Eleventh Street NE, and operated as part of a wide range of programs and services through Positive Impact, Inc. While the majority of services are focused on the needs of gay and bisexual men (and including men who identify as straight/heterosexual and yet might also have some form of sexual contact with another male), straight men who never have sexual contact with other men and gay and bisexual women may also access many of the services offered at MISTER, including free HIV testing, access to information and resources, workshop participation, and space use.
Everyone at the Center has the right to be treated with courtesy and respect, and Guests have the obligation to behave in a manner that is respectful and courteous and that does not disrupt the operation of the Center in any way. Organizations and groups that host meetings and events at the Center are responsible for monitoring and controlling the behavior of all Guests attending their events to ensure a safe and enjoyable time for everyone at the Center.
Because of the adult nature of the MISTER Center, including magazines that reach out to the gay and bisexual community, children under the age of 14 are not permitted in the Center.
There are also a variety of volunteer opportunities for persons wanting to support MISTER. (1) Community Center Concierge – attends to visitors and responds to inquiries on the phone and face-to-face; supplies guests with information regarding the organization, services available, and community-wide information; (2) Peer Advocates—reaches out to immediate and extended social groups to share role model stories, education peers and promote safer sex practices in the community; (3) Outreach Associates—offers information, free safer sex kits and collects general demographic information while in social settings such as bars, nightclubs and special events such as Atlanta Gay Pride; and (4) Group Facilitators—offers educational workshops and support groups based on knowledge and/or experience related to the subject matter. To volunteer for one of these opportunities, please contact the Community Outreach Specialist, Chandler Bearden, at 678-365-4300 or write chandler.bearden@positiveimpact-atl.org.
Each month, on a rotating basis, MISTER serves as an art gallery for local Atlanta artists from the gay and bisexual community who get to use the space to display their artistic creations (paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, etc.). Every month is a new artist to keep the space fresh and constantly updated, so be sure to drop by at least once a month to see the Artist of the Month on display at the Center. If you are a gay or bisexual artist, or an artist that supports the gay and bisexual community, and would like to have your work displayed for one month at the Center, please contact Chandler Bearden at 678-365-4300 or write Chandler.
If you have any questions about MISTER, or to stay up to date on events, workshops, art exhibits and volunteer opportunities, please visit our dedicated website at MISTERCenter.org.
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