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I used to be terrified of HIV – now I can have sex with confidence
New research from the University of Portsmouth is to investigate the accessibility of drug counselling services and sexual health clinics by gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men drug users in England from a harm reduction perspective.
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Eva Echo
to appeal High Court
ruling over trans NHS waiting times
"Growing up, HIV was an incredibly fearful subject for young gay men like me. It was portrayed as something that no-one could deal with, and something you should be incredibly scared of at all times."
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Eastbourne Pride to return on July 29
"We disagree with the judgment, which is why we’ll be applying for the chance to appeal.”
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Nominees for Gaydio Pride Awards 2023
announced
Birmingham Pride and Brighton & Hove Pride are nominated for Major Pride of the Year, alongside Manchester Pride and Pride in London.
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Raising funds for LGBTQ+ charity Bourne Out, organisers promise huge new additions.
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UK government to ban all forms of conversion therapy
The new law for England and Wales will include transgender people.
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Hundreds pay their last respects to Kenyan LGBTQ+ activist Edwin Chiloba
Fatt Butcher’s 'Anywhere is a Dancefloor' to release online
Kenyan LGBTQ+ activist Edwin Chiloba, who was smothered to death in January in an act which drew global condemnation.
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LGBTQ+ artists design family-friendly show for Leicester’s Spark Festival
Anywhere is a Dancefloor is a queer music video featuring many local talents, reclaiming public spaces across Birmingham’s city centre
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HAVE YOUR SAY!
The organisers say: “The overall aim is to spread a message of love and acceptance - that all people are equal, and that the things that make us different are the things we should celebrate."
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Brighton & Hove City Council proposes 4.99% increase to council tax
Open letter asks that Government's opt-out testing programme is extended to all areas with a high prevalence of HIV.
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ParaPride 2023: Making LGBTQ+ History at Hackney Town Hall on February 19
Council leader Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty has warned "difficult choices" will need to be be made.
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Expect comedy royalty, Drag Kings & Queens, aerial artists, pole performers, burlesque shows, DJ sets and much more.
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PREVIEW: Vault Festival - quirky, funny, challenging and often shocking -
World Athletics proposes tighter rules for transgender women athletes
Brian Butler finds quirky, dark, comic and explicit shows to please all tastes.
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Move to ban LGBTQ+ characters from film and TV in Russia will "increase homophobia", say Amnesty
Sports chiefs have found themselves with a tough decision - whether to allow male-born trans women to compete in female categories.
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LGBTQ+ community champion and gay bobsledder Simon Dunn dies suddenly at 35
“The Russian authorities are preparing to further scapegoat and stigmatise LGBTQ+ people in the country through new homophobic legislation."
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Church of England bishops apologise to LGBTQ+ people
Along with his sporting accolades, Dunn was also well known for his community work and was a long-time supporter of HIV / sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust.
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BOOK REVIEW: A Short History of Queer Women by Kirsty Loehr
"We affirm, publicly and unequivocally, that LGBTQ+ people are welcome and valued..."
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This perfect book leaves you with an appetite to learn more, offering reassurance of constant affirming glorious presence of women loving women throughout known herstory.
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National HIV Testing Week takes place 6-12 February. HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust shares one person’s story.
) Growing up, HIV was an incredibly fearful subject for young gay men like me. It was portrayed as something that no-one could deal with, and something you should be incredibly scared of at all times.
HIV was a terrifying unknown. I was told to avoid contracting the virus at all costs and yet completely lacked any education about HIV. Rather than being given the facts about HIV, and how to have sex safely as a young queer man, I was just told to “be careful”.
The fearmongering I experienced in school, and from my friends and family shaped how I felt about HIV and my sexuality. I think if I’d have been given the facts, including that people can live a long and fulfilling life with the virus, I would have had an easier time coming to terms with my queerness.
When I had my first HIV test, I received excellent support from a sexual health nurse who took the fear and stigma out of testing completely. The experience helped me understand how important it is for all of us to take ownership of our sexual health, and that taking control of it can be empowering.
My views on HIV transformed when I ran in the Brighton Marathon in support of Terrence Higgins Trust in 2018. I ran alongside people who were open about their HIV status – they were happy, healthy and not just living, but thriving with HIV. This narrative completely clashed with everything I’d been told about HIV and helped me to realise that the rumours I’d heard about the virus growing up just weren’t true.
I’m still shocked when I meet new gay men and other members of the queer community how little people know about the importance of testing. Many haven’t had a test in a very long time – or ever. I find that many people’s reluctance to test often comes from anxiety about the result. But I can say from experience that it’s always better to know. Fears about HIV testing will not get better through avoidance, they will only get worse.
“It’s crucial to know that anyone who is diagnosed with HIV in the UK can access free treatment and support.”
Most people will get a negative result but whatever happens it’s crucial to know that anyone who is diagnosed with HIV in the UK can access free treatment and support. If you test positive, effective treatment means you cannot pass on the virus to sexual partners and can expect to live a normal lifespan.
Regular HIV testing benefits each and every one of us. I’m currently in a happy, longterm open relationship and that has really heightened my sense of responsibility not just to myself, but to my partner. Sexual health is an opportunity for us both to take control of our sexuality and keep each other healthy.
Order your free HIV test
Testing for HIV is now quick and easy. You can do it at home by ordering a free test kit now from www.startswithme.org.uk which will be posted through your door in plain packaging.
) If you have any questions, you can contact Terrence Higgins Trust in confidence via 0808 802 1221 or www.tht.org.uk/thtdirect.
