EDGE on the Net

On March 8, the Philly-based group Bebashi will celebrate National Women & Girls’ HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, with HIV testing, guest speakers, lunch and even makeovers, all to stop the spread of HIV among women.

Lowes Hotel hosted the HRC Philadelphia Region Gala Dinner. Featured speakers were MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry and HRC President Chad Griffin. The evening’s highlight was a performance by ’80s teen idol Tiffany.

In an effort to keep Philly’s LGBT community connected throughout the winter months, PhillyPride organizers invite all to celebrate WinterPride on Feb. 22, where they will honor U.S. Figure Skating champion Johnny Weir.

ActionAIDS may be the only AIDS/HIV care organization within the United States maintaining a strong volunteer buddy program, despite threats of funding cuts in Philly.

To commemorate MLK Day and the second inauguration of President Barack Obama, Bebashi and Urban Angel Foundation presented a day of free health services and care for Philly’s community.

Founded in 1987 as a hospice for people dying of AIDS, Calcutta House now celebrates its 25th anniversary, helping vulnerable populations like the homeless, mentally ill and inveterate drug abusers.

Rather than travel abroad for expensive surgery or taking risks with self-administered work, the transgender community can turn to Dr. Sherman Leis, a world-renowned surgeon and the founder of The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery.

Twenty-two Philadelphia’s high schools will receive condom dispensers that give away free condoms, a pilot launched by health officials in order to combat high STD rates among the city’s teens.

In November, Philadelphia broke ground on a new senior center with 56 housing units available for low-income, LGBT residents.

Philadelphia is a treasure trove of independent jewelry designers waiting to be discovered -- by you. Before visiting the big retailers, consider the phenomenal artisans who may be found locally but have worldly ambitions.