Shine - Spring 2010

FREE

spring • 2010

glbt health & wellbeing

MIND MAP New plan aims to boost mental health care for GLBT and HIV+ people TAILOR-MADE TREAMENTS

Helping people with HIV get the right fit of treatments

I’M SEX SITED!

A new website is giving sex workers some professional advice

HONOURABLE MEMBERS

Meet this year’s crop of GLBT community award winners

courage • empathy • diversity • equality • partnership • community

Give hope on World AIDS Day.

You can help put a stop to HIV/AIDS and support people with HIV by volunteering to sell red ribbons on the street, to your customers or to your colleagues on World AIDS Day, Wednesday 1 December.

www.redribbonday.org.au

ACON Media and Communications Manager Michael Badorrek Writers Michael Badorrek , John Burfitt Design & Production Danny Adams Publisher Scott Abrahams, SSO Media Printer Rural Press Ltd For all enquiries contact Michael Badorrek on 02 9206 2001 or: mbadorrek@acon.org.au The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individuals and not of the publisher.

Produced with the assistance of SSO Media

The paper used in this publication is sourced from renewable resources.

SYDNEY (Head Office) 9 Commonwealth St, Sydney NSW 2000 PO Box 350, Darlinghurst, 1300 Tel: (02) 9206 2000 Fax: (02) 9206 2069 Freecall: 1800 063 060 Hearing Impaired: (02) 9283 2053 Email: acon@acon.org.au Web: www.acon.org.au POSITIVE LIVING CENTRE 703 Bourke St, Surry Hills NSW 2010 Tel: (02) 9699 8756 Fax: (02) 9699 8956 Email: plc@acon.org.au THE LUNCHEON CLUB 77 Kellick St, Waterloo NSW 2017 Tel: (02) 9206 2000 or 0400 446 712 Fax: (02) 9206 2069 Email: lunch@luncheonclub.net.au Sex Workers Outreach Project 69 Abercrombie St, Chippendale NSW 2008 Tel: (02) 9319 4866 Fax: (02) 9310 4262 Freecall: 1800 622 902 Email: infoswop@acon.org.au HUNTER 129 Maitland Rd, Islington NSW 2296 Tel: (02) 4927 6808 Fax: (02) 4927 6485 Email: hunter@acon.org.au NORTHERN RIVERS 27 Uralba St, Lismore NSW 2480 Tel: (02) 6622 1555 Fax: (02) 6622 1520 Email: northernrivers@acon.org.au ILLAWARRA 47 Kenny St, Wollongong NSW 2500 Tel: (02) 4226 1163 Fax: (02) 4226 9838 Email: illawarra@acon.org.au COFFS HARBOUR c/o Galambila Aboriginal Health Service 9 Boambee St, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Tel: 6651 6017 Fax: 6622 1520 Email: coffsharbour@acon.org.au PORT MACQUARIE 3/146-150 Gordon St, Port Macquarie NSW 2444 Tel: (02) 6584 0943 Fax: (02) 6583 3810 Email: mnc@acon.org.au

SILVER AND RED W

elcome to the Spring 2010 edition of SHINE, a biannual magazine which profiles the work of ACON, Australia’s largest communitybased gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) health and HIV/AIDS organisation.

This year, ACON has commemorated 25 years of service to the GLBT community and people living with, at risk of and affected by HIV/AIDS. Over the past quarter of a century, ACON has made a significant contribution to the health and wellbeing of our community.

Throughout this landmark year, we’ve acknowledged the support of our clients, staff, volunteers, members and partners in a variety of special publications and at range of commemorative events (see p 12 and www.acon.org.au).

Board members at ACON’s 25th anniversary reception Reliving ACON’s history has been an inspirational and moving experience for many people in our community and we thank everyone involved in the commemorations for their time, effort and support.

If you haven’t been involved yet and would still like to take part, World AIDS Day takes place on Wednesday

1 December and ACON is presenting a range of activities in which you can participate (see p 14).

With your support this World AIDS Day, we can continue to make a difference.

MICHAEL BADORREK EDITOR

Contents

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Gay WORK Rates New index to grade gay-friendly workplaces

6

Tailor-Made Treatments ACON staff help people with HIV get the right fit of treatments

7

Reader Survey

8 Professional Advice A new website is helping sex workers come to grips with the ins and outs of their job…

9

Honourable Members Meet this year’s crop of GLBT community award winners

10

Mind Map A new plan aims to boost mental health care for GLBT and HIV+ people

12

ACON IN THE COMMUNITY

13

There’s No Place Like BINGAY A wicked new hostess has taken Bingay back to its roots…

14

Simply Red ACON’s World AIDS Day activities… shine • spring • 2010

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equality

GAY WORK RATEs

A new service is set to help employers find out how they measure up in terms of providing a gay-friendly workplace...

For some GLBT people, the moment

they walk through the doors of their workplace, they feel they have to hide their true selves.

Personal details are limited, conversations never refer to partners and discussions about social activities are heavily self-censored.

To reveal too much about their lives is, they fear, to increase the risk of homophobic harassment or be alienated from their colleagues.

According to the Gay Census of 2008, one third of gay staff chose to conceal their sexual orientation from their employers and co-workers.

However, that same poll revealed that 50 per cent of GLBT employees would be more committed, loyal and productive if policies and programs were introduced in their workplace that specifically supported GLBT people.

Helping employers do this is the mission of Pride In Diversity, a unique program set up in February this year

by ACON in partnership with Diversity Council Australia and London-based GLBT-advocacy group Stonewall UK. After signing up many of Australia’s leading corporations and government agencies as members of the program, Pride In Diversity has just launched the

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Australian Workplace Equality Index, a new free service that evaluates and benchmarks GLBT inclusiveness in Australian workplaces.

“The service measures the extent of inclusive human resource policies within an organisation and then rates that workplace against a national index,” says Pride In Diversity Director Dawn Hough.

“Organisations will then be able to use their ranking on the Index as a simple and effective way to highlight the quality of their diversity practice, especially when recruiting staff.

“The Index will also be used as an annual showcase of Australia’s top employers for LGBT people and provide valuable local statistics and benchmarking data on the inclusive practices of Australian workplaces.”

“For workplaces that wish to improve their ranking, Pride In Diversity staff are able to assist with the development of policies and strategies that can better support LGBT staff.”

Drawing on similar initiatives in the UK, US and Canada, participating organisations are required to complete a simple survey and supply evidence of relevant workplace policies. Submissions for the inaugural Index are due by 31 March 2011.

The service was launched in early November at the Canberra headquarters of the Australian Federal Police, one of the foundation members of the Pride In Diversity program. Other high-profile members of the program include KPMG, ING, IBM, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Lend Lease, Goldman Sachs, Telstra, Chevron, Accenture, Suncorp and the Department of Defence.

Some of the factors the Index measures include the use of LGBT inclusive language, the provision of family and other benefits to LGBT employees and same-sex couples, and how homophobia and discrimination against LGBT people are addressed in the workplace.

“This is an important initiative for Australia,” says Dawn, “as it’s the first time that employers will be able to access a service that not only evaluates how inclusive they are of LGBT employees but can also help them develop workplace strategies to ensure a fair go for all their staff.”

GET INVOLVED Help your workplace get more gayfriendly. To find out more about the new Index and other Pride In Diversity services visit www.prideindiversity.com.au

1 2 3 4 5

Help victims of homophobic violence

Help provide vital services for people with HIV

Help improve people’s mental health

Help provide lesbian health services

Help improve aged care services for GLBT and HIV+ people All people shown are models and are used for illustrative purposes only.

Want to be part of a healthy and caring community?

It’s your choice.

25for5 For the last 25 years, ACON has been building the health and wellbeing of the GLBT community and people affected by HIV/AIDS. With a donation from as little as $25, you can help us continue caring for our community by choosing to support one of 5 key areas of our work (see left).

To find out more or get involved visit:

www.acon.org.au/25for5

diversity

TAILOR-MADE TREATMENTS When it comes to HIV treatments, there’s no one size fits all. That’s why the team at ACON’s Positive Living Centre helps people with HIV to explore the treatment options that will work best for them…

It was five years ago that Andy was

“With the increasing number of treatments available and the increasing number of combinations they offer, understanding all of them can be confusing.”

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diagnosed with HIV. Contracting the virus took a dramatic toll on his health, and the side effects of the drugs he had to take added further stress.

While he had good support from his doctor, Andy knew he needed to find out what additional medical options were on offer, as well as how he could best manage the side effects of the medications.

“I had so many questions about these treatments, and while my doctor was great, time was always limited.

“All I wanted was someone to sit with me and go through what all of this meant.

“That’s when I found the Positive Living Centre.

“The staff there were really helpful by explaining what the drugs were doing to me and then we decided on a range of other treatments to help with the side effects as well as my stress levels.”

The Positive Living Centre was created 20 years ago to offer basic support services for people living with HIV. ACON took over management of the centre a decade ago and has since developed it into a health promotion facility providing a range of support services, free complementary therapies, skills building courses and social events for up to 1000 clients in any given year, or about 10 per cent of the people in NSW who are living with HIV. Jae Condon is the PLC’s Treatments and Client Support Officer, and has as many as 50 consultations per week with clients who want to evaluate the most appropriate treatment options.

“With the increasing number of treatments available and the increasing

number of combinations they offer, understanding all of them can be confusing,” Jae says.

“It’s never a case of one size fits all and HIV cases can be one of the most complex areas of health care prescribing.

“What I try to do is offer an impartial view of all the different options that are available.

“Unfortunately there’s still a lot of stigma attached to HIV, so we find that many people feel more comfortable coming here and checking on treatments rather than using mainstream services that aren’t always as sensitive to the needs of people with HIV.” Lifestyle considerations about diet, nutrition, vitamin supplements and stress management are also explored to see how they can help complement the medications.

“I had no idea how much improving my diet and adding vitamin supplements could improve my health,” Andy adds.

“Once it was explained to me about balancing out levels in my system, it all made sense and it is something I have done ever since.”

Jae says while living with HIV continues to improve all the time, it remains a challenging issue for many people “Treating HIV can be a complex process for some people and we’re committed to doing all we can to help them live as well as they can.”

GET HELP Need advice about HIV treatments?

Call the PLC on 9699 8756 or email plc@acon.org.au

W

tic W kets OR LD to th AI e 2 DS 0 DA 10 S Y C YD ON NE CE Y RT

IN

By completing our online readers survey, you’ll be in the running for double passes to ACON’s 2010 Sydney World AIDS Day Concert.

AN ALL-STAR TRIBUTE TO

STEPHEN SONDHEIM Geraldine Turner

Peter Cousens

Trevor Ashley

David Harris

Lucy Durak

Michael Cormick

2010 SYDNEY WORLD AIDS DAY CONCERT MONDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2010, 7.30pm

Verbruggen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music Macquarie St, Sydney

Three lucky readers will each receive prize packs valued at over $130 by answering just six simple questions – it couldn’t be easier!

www.acon.org.au/shinesurvey

partnership

“This is a really important step in HIV and STI prevention in NSW.”

Professional Advice

A new website is helping sex workers better understand the ins and outs of their job…

It’s the world’s oldest profession and in

NSW alone, it’s estimated that there are more than 10,000 people employed in the sex industry at any time, with 85 per cent being female, 10 male and five per cent transgender.

With this many people catering to the sexual needs of locals and visitors, staff at the Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP) have their hands full by helping to ensure that the provision of sex services is being done safely and that the sexual health risks to all parties both workers and clients – are reduced.

SWOP, is a project of ACON funded by NSW Health and provides education about HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs) to sex workers throughout NSW. SWOP is commemorating its 21st anniversary this year and has marked its coming of age by launching a brand new website at www.swop.org.au.

“This is a really important step in HIV and STI prevention in NSW,” says SWOP’s General Manager Lance Schema.

“Sex work can be a somewhat

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secluded profession and there’s still a lot of stigma associated with it, so getting resources out there to the people who need it can be challenging.

“However, now that we have this great new website we can reach those people directly in their own homes, and if they need to reference or download anything, they can do it quickly, privately and anonymously.”

The website features a range of specific content for sex workers, including safe sex information, medical services, safety alerts, occupational health and safety guidelines, and employee information for brothel workers.

The new site has been funded by the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW, and one of its largest components will be a comprehensive legal section outlining the laws relevant to sex workers.

The recently completed Sex Industry Legal Kit will also be available to download.

“Legal issues regarding sex workers are a huge concern and they can change significantly depending on the

government of the day,” Lance says.

“The legal kit allows people to work safely, to know their legal rights and to protect themselves.

“While sex work in NSW has been decriminalised since the mid 1990s, a lot of sex workers don’t know that and many don’t know the intricacies of the laws and regulations that apply to sex work in NSW. “This comprehensive and plain language resource will play a vital role in getting that information to them.”

GET INVOLVED Find out more about SWOP by visiting the new website at www.swop.com.au or call 9319 4866.

Honourable Members

community

When it comes to acknowledging outstanding service to NSW’s GLBT community, this year’s Honour Awards got six of the best…

If good deeds shine in a weary world,

then the winners of this year’s Honour Awards are beacons of inspiration.

The winners were selected from a diverse field of 22 finalists and were presented with their awards and prizes at a gala ceremony at the Ivy in Sydney in September that raised almost $30,000 for ACON’s vital work in the community.

The Honour Awards were established four years ago by ACON to pay tribute to outstanding achievements within or contributions to NSW’s GLBT community, and it was an esteemed group of six individuals and organisations who became Honourable members this year.

Community elders Sue Wills and Lex Watson were joint winners of the Community Hero Award.

In 1972, Sue and Lex were elected the first co-presidents of the landmark Campaign Against Moral Persecution (CAMP), and have been active law reformers and GLBT health and welfare advocates for over four decades.

“I was delighted to receive the award, but it’s really an honour that also belongs to the many other people who have worked with us over the years,” says Lex. “These awards are important, as we must honour our own and recognise our own before anyone else will,” says Sue.

Lex Watson

Business leader Reece Familo of Out Travel, an ardent promoter of GLBT travel and supporter of numerous community organisations, was named winner of the Business Award.

“Getting this kind of recognition is fantastic as gives people an idea of what we’re doing and the ways a business can be involved in the gay community,” says Reece.

“Also because we have such a big gay clientele, we think it’s essential to give back to the community by supporting local GLBT groups as much as we can.”

The indefatigable Robert Hemburrow, a carer, fundraiser, volunteer and regional community leader from AlburyWodonga, was presented with the Health and Wellbeing Award.

“I really like being involved in my local community and I like to do anything I can to make it grow,” says Robert.

“I’ve been involved with the AlburyWodonga Hume-Phoenix group for 10 years, and I feel it’s so important to care for your local community.”

Performer and fundraiser Trevor Ashley, currently starring in the hit musical Hairspray, took out the Media/ Arts/Entertainment Award for his many years of supporting GLBT community organisations and events.

Sue Wills

“I was really thrilled to receive the award as I find community work such a special and important thing to be involved with,” says Trevor.

Queer Screen’s 20 year contribution to the national arts scene, and its role as the biggest GLBT film festival in the country, was recognised with the Community Organisation Award.

“So often our community comes together in times of challenge, to rally against discrimination, to stand up to stigma or fight the affects of a disease, but with Honour, it is all about joy,” says Lex Lindsay, Queer Screen’s Festival Director.

“It’s a chance to come together to celebrate how clever, courageous and fabulous we are – and to encourage each other to keep up the good work.”

GET INVOLVED Find our more about the winners and finalists, check out pictures from the evening or make a donation at www.honourawards.com.au Lex Lindsay

Robert Hemburrow

Characters from Party Safely With The Bigheads

Finalists and winners at the 2010 Honour Awards

Young people and mascots spread the message at Fair Day 2010

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EMPATHY

Mind Map

“I grew up being told to hate poof-

“It is extremely concerning that for so ters,” says Courtney, a 20-year-old man many young GLBT people, death seems from Western Sydney. like the only option available to relieve The youngest of four boys, ­­­he their mental anguish,” says ACON CEO worked out he was gay in his early Nicolas Parkhill. teens, but quickly discovered there was However, mental health issues are no room for being different – either at not only the province of GLBT youth. home or at school.

“Because of their sexuality, gender “I grew up in a pretty blokey family,” identity or HIV status, many people from he recalls, “and I’d seen what the older right across our community are cut off boys at school did to anyone they from their families and friends, denied thought was gay – it wasn’t good.” basic legal and social entitlements, bullied Courtney lived in a constant state at school or in the workplace, or subjected of fear about the secret of his sexuality to abuse or violence,” says Nic. being revealed and eventually found a “As a consequence, our community damaging outlet for his stress. experiences increased rates of “I would cut myself on my leg or homelessness, risk taking behaviour, arm,” he says. “I really hated the fact I depression, anxiety, substance abuse, was gay and thought all the time about self-harm and both attempted and killing myself. I saw no future for me.” actual suicide.”

Unfortunately, Courtney’s case is Indeed, half the respondents to the not uncommon.

2005 Private Lives survey into GLBT health The recent spate of suicides by and wellbeing had seen a counsellor or young gay men in the United States has psychiatrist in the past five years. served to highlight the mental health The survey also found that the levels issues which affect many GLBT people. of depression and anxiety among GLBT In fact, research shows that young Australians are almost double what they same-sex attracted men and women are are in the general community. up to 14 times more likely to attempt While these mental health issues HALC lawyers (l to r): Shehzad Mansuri, Iain Brady and Indraveer Chatterjee suicide than their heterosexual peers. are often related to discrimination and

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abuse caused by homophobia and prejudice, other factors unique to GLBT people can also have an impact on their mental health.

About 18 months ago, Maree was the victim of domestic violence from her long-term same-sex partner.

She was so traumatised by the assault that she wanted to see a counsellor.

However, the first organisation she turned to for help had trouble understanding the nature of her issue.

“When I began talking about it being a domestic violence issue, they assumed I was talking about a man,” Maree says.

“All I wanted was somewhere I could go to be open about my sexuality and not be judged,” Maree says.

That’s when she came to ACON. For almost 25 years, ACON has helped thousands of people like Courtney and Maree to address their mental health issues through a range of counselling and therapy services.

A desire to help even more people has resulted in the development of a new plan to not only expand ACON’s mental health services, but to also increase the capacity of other service providers to work more effectively with

EMPATHY

A new plan aims to help improve the mental health and wellbeing of the GLBT community and people with HIV…

GLBT people, people living with HIV and people at risk of HIV, including sex workers and people who use drugs.

ACON’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2010-2013 is essentially a road map for the next three years which identifies a comprehensive range of issues affecting the mental health of ACON’s clients and communities and lays out a variety of strategies to address the issues.

It has been developed following extensive consultation with people who use ACON’s services, community organisations, government agencies and the broader mental health sector.

“Mental health remains one of the great unmet needs in our community,” says Mr Parkhill.

“Many people from the GLBT community, especially people newly diagnosed or living with HIV, turn to ACON in times of emotional crisis because of the experience our staff has in dealing with the relevant issues.

“But no matter what we do in terms of introducing new services – be they counselling or enhanced primary care – they fill up with clients as soon as we introduce them.

“We can identify people with mental health issues, but our limited financial and operational resources mean we can’t always provide the services they need.

“What this strategy is doing is painting a picture for the heath care sector about the mental health issues experienced by GLBT people and people affected by HIV and then saying ‘here are the issues and here is how we can work together to improve the situation’.

Among the many strategies included in the plan are a range of new mental health campaigns, initiatives focussed on reducing self-harm and suicide risks among youth in regional areas, early identification of mental illness among people living with HIV, increasing access to ACON’s various counselling services and therapeutic groups, and plans to develop new ways of working with and referring to other health providers.

The plan is also intended to be a guide for advocacy within the general health sector and broader community to ensure that the topic of GLBT health remains an important issue for inclusion in future government health policies.

“This new plan will help us flag with all relevant authorities what the important issues are and how they can help us meet the need,” says Mr Parkhill.

“This is another reason why this plan is such an important and worthwhile document.

“Not only will it help guide and improve ACON’s work with people who seek our help, it will also shine a light on the mental health issues in our community and that will hopefully bring about change.

ACON’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2010-2013 is available on the ACON website.

HELP OUT We’d like to help more people in our community with mental health issues, but we need more resources. You can donate to our mental health fund by visiting www.acon.org.au/25for5

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community

Photo: Ann-Marie Calilhanna Guests celebrate the return of Bingay to the Imperial Hotel in September

Northern Rivers community members attend a beats forum

Photo: Ann-Marie Calilhanna

Community members attend ACON’s Substance Support Service forum in May

Past and present volunteers celebrate CSN’s 25th anniversary in June

Photo: Ann-Marie Calilhanna

Celebrity fitness guru Michelle Bridges and other guests at the 2010 Honour Awards in September

Photo: Robert Knapman

Past and present staff and volunteers at ACON’s Silver Jubi-Tea and reunion in October

MasterChef judge Matt Preston in ACON’s This Is Oz campaign

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Photo: Ann-Marie Calilhanna

NSW Health Minister Carmel Tebbut joins ACON’s past and present CEO’s and presidents at ACON’s 25th anniversary reception in August

Lifesavers With Pride members support Coast Out with ACON Regional Services Manager Shannan Wright

Visitors to ACON’s info stall at the Coast Out Festival in Coffs Harbour during October

partnership

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE BINGAY A wicked new hostess has taken Bingay back to its roots…

Friends of Dorothy across Sydney have

been clicking their heels in delight now that Bingay has moved back home to Erskineville’s famous Imperial Hotel.

Bingay is gay bingo which means there’s weird rules, sing-a-longs, penalties and hilarious stories with prizes that range from the silly and camp to great theatre tickets and restaurant vouchers.

The popular weekly ACON fundraiser began at the Imperial in 1999 but become something of a moveable feast after the hotel closed its doors for refurbishment in 2007, relocating to Arq in Darlinghurst and then to Enmore’s Sly Fox Hotel.

Then last year, long-time hostess Mitzi McIntosh dropped her last ball when she called it a day and headed overseas to begin a new life.

So when Bingay moved back to the newly reopened Imperial in September, it was not only returning to its traditional home, it also had a new hostess, the notorious Tora Hymen, adding her own shameless

twist to the madcap proceedings.

“It’s been a wonderful opportunity to take the reigns of Bingay and give it a Tora touch up,” says the diva’s alter ego Ben Freeman.

“However, there’ll always be the outrageous antics, hilarious repartee and those deliciously lewd bingo calls which have made Bingay such a popular night out for GLBT people and their friends.”

“The best thing is seeing Bingay return to its birthplace. And the best thing about hosting Bingay is being able to work with a team that are passionate about the event and making it the best possible Bingay it can be.”

In the 11 years it’s been operating, Bingay has raised close to one million dollars for ACON. “It’s the longest running gay and lesbian fundraising event in Australia and certainly one of the most popular,” says David Wilkins, ACON’s Events Coordinator and the powerhouse behind Bingay.

“It’s been an extraordinarily

important event over the years in terms of raising funds for ACON’s work in the community and it also gives ACON a chance to engage directly with community members in a fun and relaxed environment.”

“Now that we’re back home at the Imperial, people are returning to Bingay in big numbers and we’re back to the stage where people really need to book to secure a table.

“And Tora is just great. She walked in and made Bingay her own. She’s incredibly funny and is right into the wacky spirit of it all. She and our barrel girl Naomi Palmer are proving to be a great team. The crowds just love them.”

GET INVOLVED To make a booking for Bingay, go to www.acon.org.au/bingay or call (02) 9206 2110

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EMPATHY

SIMPLY RED

An easy way to help people affected by HIV/AIDS is to get involved in ACON’s World AIDS Day activities...

Wednesday 1 December is a red

letter day for our community as it’s the 22nd World AIDS Day, an opportunity to focus on the impact that HIV/AIDS has on people in Australia and around the world.

Across NSW, thousands of people will be doing their bit in the fight against HIV/AIDS when they support one or more of the various activities that ACON and other organisations present as part of the annual event.

One of the most important of these activities is the Red Ribbon Appeal.

“The red ribbon is a symbol of the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS and honours the people who have been lost during the battle,” says ACON President Mark Orr “The sale of red ribbons also helps ACON raise much-needed money to support and care for people living with HIV. “So we’re encouraging people to not only buy a red ribbon but to also volunteer to sell red ribbons because the more people we have on the streets, the more ribbons we sell and the more money we raise.”

“World AIDS Day is also a really important opportunity for us to get the safe sex message out there and to help reduce the stigma and discrimination experienced by people with HIV, so we hope people will support us to promote these messages,” says Mr Orr.

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RED RIBBON APPEAL Mon 22 Nov – Wed 1 Dec On Tue 31 Nov and Wed 1 Dec, hundreds of volunteers will be selling red ribbons ($2) and red wristbands ($4) at over 30 locations across central Sydney as well as selected locations throughout NSW. And in the lead-up to World AIDS Day, red ribbons can be purchased from businesses displaying Red Ribbon boxes or donations can be made at www.redribbonday.org.au

WORLD AIDS DAY CONCERT Mon 22 Nov / Verbruggen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music / 7:30pm The 3rd Sydney World AIDS Day concert will be a tribute to legendary composer and lyricist for the stage and screen Stephen Sondheim. Join some of Australia’s biggest starts of musical theatre and cabaret all backed by a 30-piece orchestra. $65/$55. www.acon.org.au/WADconcert or (02) 9206 2062. You could win free tickets to the Sydney World AIDS Day concert see page 7 for details.

CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL Wed 1 Dec / Paddington Town Hall / 8pm The annual Sydney Candlelight AIDS Memorial is held to remember people who have died from an AIDS-related illness. During the hour-long ceremony, the names of people who have been lost to AIDS will be read out as participants light a candle to remember their loved ones. Names can be submitted online at www.candlelight.org.au or on (02) 9206 2110.

UNDER THE MIRRORBALL Sun 28 Nov / Arq / 10pm til late ACON benefit night at Arq nightclub on Flinders St, Darlinghurst. $10 donation at the door. Lots of shows with DJ’s on both levels.

THE RED PARTY Fri 26 Nov / Stonewall / 9pm til late ACON benefit night at Stonewall Hotel on Oxford St, Darlinghurst. $5 donation at the door. Shows all night

by Sydney’s leading drag performers.

Prize for Best Red Costume.

Help Out We’re seeking volunteers to sell ribbons on World AIDS Day or place a Red Ribbon merchandise box in their workplace or business. For info go to: www.redribbonday.org.au

With close to 20,000 Australians living with HIV today, chances are you know someone who has been affected by the virus. Wednesday, December 1 is World AIDS Day. Buy a Red Ribbon as a sign of support or make a donation, or volunteer to sell red ribbons on the street, to your customers or to your colleagues.

For more info visit www.redribbonday.org.au shine • spring • 2010

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AN ALL-STAR TRIBUTE TO

STEPHEN SONDHEIM Geraldine Turner

Peter Cousens

Trevor Ashley

David Harris

Lucy Durak

Michael Cormick

Join some of the biggest stars of Sydney musical theatre and cabaret as they celebrate the music of legendary composer and lyricist for the stage and screen, Stephen Sondheim.

Also featuring: Shaun & Adam Rennie, Laura Mulcahy, Queenie Van de Zandt, Avigail Herman, Tyran Parke, Phil Scott and many more, all accompanied by a 35 piece orchestra.

Creator/Director:

Trevor Ashley Musical Director:

WHAT:

Craig Renshaw

2010 SYDNEY WORLD AIDS DAY CONCERT All proceeds help fund vital services for people with HIV WHEN: MONDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2010 WHERE: Verbruggen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music Macquarie St, Sydney COST: $65/$55 concession BOOK: www.acon.org.au/WADconcert or call (02)9206 2062 16 New Mardi Gras shine • spring • 2010