Joe
Joe Larson (he/his/him) identifies as a gay cisgender man. Since 2016, he has served as pastor with St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Fargo. Previously, he worked for nonprofit organizations, including 14 years as executive director of The Aliveness Project (a community center for individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Minneapolis.) Joe is also an artist and enjoys painting. He lives in the Fargo-Moorhead area with his husband Charlie and their cat Estrella.
Joe Larson (he/his/him) identifies as a gay cisgender man. Since 2016, he has served as pastor with St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Fargo. Previously, he worked for nonprofit organizations, including 14 years as executive director of The Aliveness Project (a community center for individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Minneapolis.) Joe is also an artist and enjoys painting. He lives in the Fargo-Moorhead area with his husband Charlie and their cat Estrella.
Jason
Growing up in Bismarck, ND was anything but easy for me. At 19 years old, I moved and experienced life down south in Jackson, MS before settling in the Minneapolis Metro area. When I moved back to North Dakota in 2016, I was reminded of the judgements you face in this state for being different & the lack of knowledge about HIV. I was grateful for the community that can rise up and support you. That is my goal in being a Peer Navigator. I feel it is necessary to challenge and combat stigma in HIV, sexuality, race, and gender wherever we are; lift each other up; while knocking down barriers & making services accessible for all. I know there is fear when experiencing new & difficult environments -- as someone with experience in many myself. Don’t go it alone. We can navigate this together.
Growing up in Bismarck, ND was anything but easy for me. At 19 years old, I moved and experienced life down south in Jackson, MS before settling in the Minneapolis Metro area. When I moved back to North Dakota in 2016, I was reminded of the judgements you face in this state for being different & the lack of knowledge about HIV. I was grateful for the community that can rise up and support you. That is my goal in being a Peer Navigator. I feel it is necessary to challenge and combat stigma in HIV, sexuality, race, and gender wherever we are; lift each other up; while knocking down barriers & making services accessible for all. I know there is fear when experiencing new & difficult environments -- as someone with experience in many myself. Don’t go it alone. We can navigate this together.
