26 Gscene
The New Normal A lot has changed this year but looking after your sexual health still matters. Gscene caught up with Marc Tweed, Brighton service manager at Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) Despite everything that 2020 has thrown at us, there’s still been a lot to celebrate for the team in Brighton. With more people at home, this is the perfect time to get tested for HIV and we’re making it even easier. Anyone living in Brighton & Hove from groups most affected by HIV – including gay and bisexual men, trans people, Black African and BME communities, and sex workers - can order a free HIV self-test kit. The kit arrives in plain packaging and you get a result in less than 15 minutes. We’re also offering free condoms by post if you live in selected postcodes within the city area and are aged 18+.
There are six of us in total, five of whom are living with HIV. We are Glenn, Frances, Malcom, Jason, Ian and David. Collectively, we have over 100 year’s experience of living with HIV.
We recognised that HIV-related stigma was still an issue for people with HIV, and those who do not know their status. Stigma can result in people shrinking back from leading normal lives, and it can delay people getting tested for HIV, when early testing leads to better health management. It was decided that we would try to tackle HIV-related stigma in a different way, by barely mentioning it, and instead focus on the positive steps people have made since their HIV diagnosis. It was decided to champion the dreams and activities of people living with HIV and not to dwell on negative stereotypes. We decided to call the group More to Me Than HIV to show that we are people first and foremost, and more than just patients. In January we discussed having a mosaic of portraits and images. The design of the mosaic would be that of the Red Ribbon; the top loop would be a double arch, forming a heart made from a red ribbon. We realised that we would need many images to make a decent mosaic image. And then coronavirus arrived. The project would not be able to advertise in the community, at charities and groups. We realised we would probably not get enough portraits to make a mosaic, so we decided instead to hold a small exhibition at Jubilee Library and on our website. However, due to Covid-19 we have had to postpone the exhibition at Jubilee Library until WAD 2021 and will be showcasing the exhibition online to coincide with HIV Testing Week on Monday, November 23.
Get involved D Submit your three images and words by
visiting www.moretomthanHIV.life f l @moretomethanHIV t @moretomethan
MARC TWEED
Stigma is a very negative word, and much has been written about it.
) At the start of 2020 never could I’ve
imagined seeing the team here wearing giant visors and plastic in our Ship Street office but, just like your barber or beautician, that’s now the new normal we’re living in. But it also serves as a reminder that even with all the uncertainty Covid-19 has brought to our lives, staying on top of your sexual health is still really important. I’m so proud that our team has continued to provide support to hundreds of people across the city, even during lockdown. We’ve recently started doing face-to-face appointments again, in line with the slight easing of restrictions. It’s far from a return to life before Covid-19 but it means we can be there for more local residents who need us. Throughout 2020 we’ve seen big changes in the way we work. Exciting events in our annual calendar such as Brighton & Hove Pride and Freshers’ Week have been sadly but understandably cancelled. These are the times we’d be offering advice and information on how to stay safe while having a good time and usually proudly celebrating the huge progress there’s been in the fight against HIV, with people on effective HIV treatment living normal and healthy lives, and not able to pass on the virus. Our usual outreach activities in bars and pubs have come to a halt too. This is how we’d usually stay connected with Brighton’s thriving LGBTQ+ scene and it’s something the team and I are really missing. The advice we’re now issuing has also changed. There’s not been a part of our lives that Covid-19 hasn’t impacted and that includes sex. But we know it’s not realistic to ask people to abstain from sex indefinitely. That’s why THT issued practical advice on managing the risk of coronavirus when having sex. Having open and honest conversations about sex has always been a cornerstone of healthy relationships and that’s even more crucial now.
If you prefer to come into our clinic, we’re providing rapid HIV testing for anyone in the groups most affected by HIV. You can book an appointment by calling us. We’ve worked hard to make sure our office is Covid-19 secure and you will be required to wear a mask when you visit us. It might seem strange having to do this but our team will answer any questions you might have. We know for many people living with HIV, this has been an anxious and isolating time. Worries about health and missing the usual support groups has been difficult. That’s why we’re continuing to offer free counselling for anyone living with HIV, this is available online at the present time. Our counsellors can provide support on a range of issues from dealing with an HIV diagnosis, low self-esteem or struggling with the use of substances or chemsex. We’re committed to ensuring everyone living with HIV in Brighton can enjoy healthy and fulfilling lives. And last but certainly no means least, PrEP will now start to be fully rolled out for free via sexual health clinics. PrEP is nothing short of a game-changer in HIV prevention. Since 2015, HIV diagnoses have fallen by 28% with the biggest drop among gay and bisexual men. However in 2018 three people every month were diagnosed with HIV in Brighton & Hove – PrEP has been the missing piece of the puzzle in the fight against HIV. It’s now vital that all groups who could benefit from it know about PrEP and how to access it. Right now looking after your health and wellbeing has never mattered more, and for us that includes your sexual health. Whether you want support at home or in our clinic, we’re here and will do all we can to help.
more info
To book a test at THT Brighton, call 01273 764200 or 07741 322487. D www.tht.org.uk f @TerrenceHigginsTrust / @THTBrighton t @THTorguk
