Red Thread 51 Autumn 2024

In this issue:

08 04 16

Embrace your inner cheek

Apple bottom jeans, boots with the furrrr

CATCH US IF YOU CAN!

T o r e c e i v e d i g i t a l o r h a r d c o p i e s o f t h i s m a g a z i n e , s c a n t o e n t e r y o u r d e t a i l s .

WARNING: TasCAHRD receives funding from the Crown, through the Department of Health, to provide these services.

Views expressed in Red thread are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of TasCAHRD.

This publication is an initiative of the Health Promotion Program at the Tasmanian Council on AIDS, Hepatitis and Related Diseases (TasCAHRD).

Would you like to see your business or service advertised in this mag? Contact TasCAHRD for rates – projects@tascahrd.org.au

Photos in this magazine are courtery of unplash photographers.

By TasCAHRD

Embrace your cheekinner

Sex positivity is a mindset that can transform your entire outlook on life, love, and everything in between. Being sex positive means embracing the full spectrum of human sexuality without judgment or shame. So, how can you unleash your inner sex-positive warrior? Here are some cheeky tips to get you started.

Be Proud. Same or other-sex attracted, monogaous or polyamorous, fem, masc, top, bottom, side, or something in between –ditch the guilt and shame. Your desires are valid, and as long as everything is consensual, age appropriate and species appropriate (to quote Andrew Huberman) there's no need to feel ashamed.

It's also important to challenge societal norms and expectations. Who says you have to fit into a neat little box when it comes to your sexual identity. Embrace your individuality and reject labels that don't resonate with you. It can be incredibly empowering.

Education. Read books, listen to podcasts, and have open conversations about sex. The more you know, the more empowered you'll feel to make informed decisions about your own body and pleasure.

Communicate. Whether you're in a longterm relationship or a casual fling, talking about your desires and boundaries is key. Communication – as it turns out – can lead to some seriously steamy encounters.

Celebrate diversity. Embrace the fact that everyone's journey with sex and sexuality is unique. Trans, poz, cis, intersex, straight, gay, bisexual, pansexual, living with a disability –however you identify, you are worthy of respect.

When it comes to sex, consent is non-negotiable. Always prioritize enthusiastic and ongoing consent in all your sexual encounters. Remember, consent is not just about saying "yes"; it's about ensuring that all parties involved are comfortable and enthusiastic about what's happening. If there is substance use, keep a friend close by, to help remember what your goals are.

Lastly, practice self-love. Embrace your body, explore what feels good, and treat yourself to some solo pleasure. After all, being sex positive starts with loving yourself first.

So, there you have it. Embrace your inner cheek and dive into the world of sex positivity. Your body, your rules.

By Isaac Tye

Queer urban

In the last couple of years, I was lucky enough to work with Dr Lisa Stafford on research into planning inclusive cities. While primarily the work focussed on disability accessibility, a topic often resurfaced in my mind - are we building queer friendly communities?

Planning in a broad sense is all the decisions, policies, laws and theory that leads to the public and private spaces we live in. How streets are laid out, where and who gets access to public transport, what your public parks look like, and more. These are all decisions that have to be made, influenced by international guidelines like the United Nations Sustainable Development Guidelines, national policies, state policies (Tasmania has several layers of planning policy and law) and the priorities of your local government and its planning officers.

The communities we live in are rooted deeply in the heteronormative assumptions of the planning. Both private (for example, the dominance of the suburban home, intended for the 2 ½ children nuclear family) and public (such as most public parks being designed for families with children). In fact, many of the early proponents of modern urban planning (such as Lewis Mumford) viewed it specifically as a way to regulate sexuality and promote heterosexual relationships. Even today, very few queer people are involved in the decisions that shape our community and the planning profession as a whole.

Queer people are particularly vulnerable to social isolation arising out of suburban planning. Queer people on average are more likely to live alone, not own a car, and to face financial stress, and as a result the suburban way of building communities is particularly challenging - reliable public transport is rare in suburbia and local queer communities may be small or widely spread due to the low population density.

Further barriers arise in zoning laws that make it difficult (or impossible) for venues like queer bars, traditional centers of queer community building, to operate - such as bans on multi-use buildings or noise regulations. But the intersectionality of exclusion cannot be ignored either. Disabled people, people of colour, women, and all marginalised people face opposition, barriers and erasure by planning.

From historic laws that encouraged or outright mandated the siloing of communities; to existing by-laws against signs, flagpoles, or even vibrant colours that are used to neutralise marginalised people’s expression in built spaces; to still ongoing opposition to mixed use buildings and medium density homes that continue to exacerbate the housing crisis and offer few places to make a home for single or childless queer people.

Queer urbanism and inclusive communities and cities are efforts to overturn those barriers and building places that are truly inclusive, built for all sorts of people.

But most importantly, inclusive communities must be built with the input of queer people. Which means getting involved in planning processes and not letting our voices fall quiet when planning excludes us. Nothing about us without us.

Further reading:

• We need queer urbanism by Aaron Greiner

• Planning as a heterosexist project by Michael Frisch

• Unbound expressions: Towards a queer urbanism by Adam Furman

If you’d like to learn more about inclusive communities specific to Tasmania, I was coauthor on the paper“I have mentally cancelled a lot of trips”: Trips not made by disabled people due to public transport inequity in lutruwita/Tasmania (Stafford & Tye, 2023), which is available for free, and I personally think a valuable read into how planning impacts marginalised people in Tasmania.

By Corey Stephen

Apple bottom jeans, boots with the furrrr

I am a man who wears heels. I wear skirts with button-up shirts and trackies with a hoody. I wear crop tops with (faux) fur jackets and so much more.

But why does it matter? Why can I feel everyone's eyes on me as I walk down the street, judging, supporting, hating, loving. Why are everyone's eyes on me? Aren't they all made from the same fabrics?

And why do I continue to do it?

Simple, I'm not doing it for me, maybe not even for you, the reader –I'm doing it for my fellow queer folk. I'm doing it for all the years that I needed a role model and was left wanting, for all the times that I felt alone and invisible and unwanted.

I’m doing it because I have reached a point in my own self-acceptance that I can handle the stares, and the threat of harassment both physical and verbal. Because I refuse to dim my light for others to feel comfortable.

I do it for all the queer folk who aren't there yet - for all the young Coreys who feel alone and invisible and unwanted. I do it to shine a light at the end of what can sometimes feel like a dark and never-ending tunnel.

I do it for the trans folk who need to see that they can live the way that suits them, not the people around them. I do it for the just-comeout gay who hasn’t reached the “fuck-gender-norms” part of being queer where you can wear pearls and eyeliner, but also really, really wants to.

I am doing this, and will continue to do this, so that the most vulnerable members of my community can live without the stares, and the slurs, and can instead live in freedom, with as much safety as possible in this problematic, cisgender and hetero-normative world.

...And I might be doing it because I’m a little bit of an attention whore too xx

Remember to keep your chin up lovelies –always and forever <3

By Jen Wiedman

Do you really give no f*cks?

Align your daily actions and choices with who you really are

In a world that often dictates what we 'should' do, it can be challenging to prioritize our authentic desires over societal expectations.

The pressure to conform to societal norms can lead us down a path that doesn't align with our true selves. As a mental health therapist, I understand the importance of embracing authenticity and the impact it can have on our well-being.

The first step in prioritizing what you want over societal expectations is self-awareness. Take the time to reflect on your values, passions, and long-term goals. Understanding your authentic self is crucial in making decisions that resonate with your innermost desires. As you delve into this process, consider the social constructs that may have influenced your beliefs about what you 'should' do. Identifying these influences allows you to challenge them and make choices that are truly your own.

Once you've gained a clear understanding of your authentic self, the next step is cultivating the courage to defy societal expectations. This involves breaking free from the fear of judgment and embracing the uniqueness that sets you apart. It's important to remember that societal norms are not one-size-fits-all, and what works for one person may not work for another.

People watching, a practice I thoroughly enjoy, can provide valuable insights into the various ways individuals navigate societal expectations. Observing how others balance their desires with external pressures can offer inspiration and perspective. It's essential to recognize that everyone faces this internal struggle, making it a shared human experience.

In my experience, I've witnessed the transformative power of authenticity. Clients who prioritize their desires over societal expectations often report increased satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment. This process can lead to enhanced mental well-being, as individuals align their actions with their true selves.

However, it's crucial to acknowledge that navigating authenticity is an ongoing journey. It requires constant self-reflection and a willingness to adapt as your authentic self evolves. Surrounding yourself with a supportive network, whether friends, family, or a therapist, can provide encouragement and validation as you choose what you want over societal expectations.

In conclusion, embracing authenticity involves understanding your true self, challenging societal influences, and cultivating the courage to prioritize your desires. I encourage individuals to embark on this journey, knowing that the pursuit of authenticity is a valuable investment in their overall well-being. And always, worth it, even if the perceived ‘risks’ or ‘costs’ are looming.

Reach out if you need to: www.wildcalmtherapies.com.au

By Jen Wiedman, Mental Health Social Worker, Wild Calm Therapies

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10% off PrEP & STI Testing with code ‘JOCK23’

Syphilis is a serious infection that can cause long-term health problems. Always practise safe sex and and talk to a healthcare worker about getting tested.

What is syphilis?

Syphilis is a sexually transmissible infection (STI) which is passed from one person to another during sexual activity. It can cause serious health issues if left untreated.

You might not know you have syphilis

Not everyone who has syphilis has symptoms, so people often don’t realise they have it. For those who do get symptoms, the first sign is one or more sores or ulcers at the site of the infection (e.g. genitals, anus and mouth).

Over time syphilis may develop into rashes, skin lesions, swollen lymph nodes, hair loss, muscle and joint aches, headaches and fatigue. Without treatment, syphilis can cause brain infections, dementia, lung and heart failure, blindness and death.

Getting a regular test can help you

Even if you or your sexual partner don’t have symptoms, sexual health tests are important. Getting tested regularly for STIs like syphilis will make sure you can receive treatment early and help prevent you passing the infection on. Remember, everyone has the right to safe and supportive sexual health care. See your local doctor to assess your risk of contracting syphilis and get tested.

Practising safe sex

The best way to prevent syphilis is to practise safe sex:

• Always use condoms with water-based lubricant during anal sex.

• Always use condoms or dental dams during oral sex.

• Avoid sexual activity if you or your sexual partner is unwell, especially if they have symptoms of syphilis.

• T his includes rashes, skin lesions, swollen lymph nodes, hair loss, muscle and joint aches, headaches and fatigue.

• G et tested regularly.

If you have syphilis, you should avoid sex or close sexual contact with another person until you have finished your treatment. If you have sex during treatment, you could catch syphilis again or pass it on to your sexual partner.

Don't fool around with syphilis. For more information about syphilis go to health.gov.au/syphilis

NSP OUTLETS &

PRIMARY

Northwest

Youth, Family and Community Connection

62 Stewart Street Devonport

Anglicare 51 Wilmot Street Burnie

South

Bridgewater Community Centre

6 Bowden Drive Bridgewater

Anglicare 436 Main Road Glenorchy

Anglicare 159 Collins Street Hobart

Clarence Integrated Care Centre

18-22 Bayfield Street Rosny

North

Salvation Army

111 Elizabeth Street Launceston

SECONDARY

Northwest

Burnie Community House

24 Wiseman Street Burnie

North West Regional Hospital

23 Brickport Road Burnie

King Island District Hospital and Health Centre

35 Edwards Street Currie

Devonport Community Health Centre

23 Steele Street Devonport

Rosebery Community Hospital Hospital Road Rosebery

Smithton District Hospital

74 Brittons Road Smithton

Wyndarra Centre Inc.

43 Smith Street Smithton

West Coast District Hospital

60-64 Orr Street Queenstown

South

The Link Youth Health Service

57 Liverpool Street Hobart

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre

56 Patrick Street Hobart

Gagebrook Community Centre 191 Lamprill Circuit Gagebrook

Tasmanian Council on Aids, Hepatitis and Related Diseases 319 Liverpool Street Hobart

North

Cape Barren Community Health Centre

5 Everett Court Cape Barren Island

Flinders Island Multi-Purpose Centre James Street Flinders Island

Flinders Island Aboriginal Association Inc 16 West Street Lady Barron

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre 182 Charles Street Launceston

Ravenswood Community Health Centre

39-41 Lambert Street Ravenswood

St Helens District Hospital

10 Annie Street St Helens

VENDING MACHINES

Northwest

40-48 Best Street, Devonport –Ground level, Multi-level carpark

North

Invermay Local Post Office

52 Invermay Road Invermay

Salvation Army

111 Elizabeth Street Launceston

Youngtown Pharmacy

369 Hobart Road Youngtown

These NSP locations have been reproduced from the Department of Health webpage.

Fentanyl test strips detect the presence of fentanyl

Fentanyl Test Strips are FREE and allow you to be more informed about the drugs you use

Anglicare Hobart NSP 18 Watchorn Street Open 12:30pm – 5pm weekdays

Anglicare Glenorchy NSP 436 Main Rd Open 10am-4:30pm weekdays

Speak to your friendly NSP staff to find out more.

NSP PHARMACIES

NORTH WEST

Healthpoint Pharmacy Burnie

Pharmacy 4 Less Burnie

Upper Burnie Alliance Pharmacy

King Island Pharmacy

Terry White Chemmart – Valley Road

Mersey Pharmacy

Terry White Chemmart Latrobe

Advantage Pharmacy Penguin

Railton Pharmacy

Turnbull's Pharmacy

Guardian Pharmacy Smithton

Somerset Pharmacy

Priceline Pharmacy Ulverstone

Peter Thompson's Pharmacy

Westside Pharmacy

Dixon's Pharmacy

Healthpoint Pharmacy

Yolla Community Pharmacy

Zeehan Pharmacy

NORTHWEST

Tamar Pharmacy

Bicheno Pharmacy

Bridport Pharmacy

Deloraine Amcal Pharmacy

Deloraine Guardian Pharmacy

Your Pharmacy

George Town Pharmacy

Epic Pharmacy Kings Meadows

Priceline Pharmacy Launceston

Terry White Chemmart Health Hub

Hatton and Laws Pharmacy Launceston

Terry White Chemmart Launceston

Longford Discount Pharmacy

Terry White Chemmart

Terry White Chemmart Newstead

Perth Pharmacy

Ravenswood Discount Pharmacy

Riverside Pharmacy

Galloway's Pharmacy

St Helens Pharmacy

St Marys Pharmacy

Westbury Pharmacy

Youngtown Pharmacy

SOUTH

Bellerive Quay Pharmacy

Rhys Jones Pharmacy

Central Highlands Pharmacy

Priceline Pharmacy Bridgewater

Brighton Pharmacy

Chigwell Pharmacy

Claremont Discount Pharmacy

Derwent Park Pharmacy

Terry White Chemmart Dodges Ferry

Geeveston Pharmacy

Elizabeth Hope Priceline Pharmacy

Guardian Pharmacy Glenorchy Central

Priceline Pharmacy Hobart

Your Hobart Chemist

Davey Street Discount Pharmacy

Shoreline Amcal Pharmacy

Rosetta Pharmacy

Wentworth Pharmacy

Huonville Pharmacy

Priceline Pharmacy Kingston

Chemist Outlet – Kingston

Terry White Chemist Kingston

Kingborough Medical Centre Pharmacy

Lauderdale Pharmacy

Lenah Valley Amcal Pharmacy

Lindisfarne Village Chemmart

Rosetta Pharmacy

Chemist Warehouse Moonah

New Norfolk Amcal Community Pharmacy

Guardian New Norfolk Pharmacy

Epic Pharmacy New Town

Friendly Care Chemmart New Town

North Hobart Amcal Pharmacy

Tasman Pharmacy

Oatlands Pharmacy

Risdon Vale Pharmacy

Chemist Warehouse Rosny

Terry White Rosny Park

Rhys Jones Pharmacy

Magnet Court Chemmart – Terry White

Healthpoint Pharmacy Snug

Chemmart Sorell

Chemist Warehouse Sorell

Sorell Plaza Pharmacy

South Hobart Capital Chemist

Swansea Pharmacy

Triabunna Pharmacy

Warrane Pharmacy

West Hobart Amcal Pharmacy

SIGNPOST

A guide to inclusive organisations in Tasmania

Care Forward

Carers Tasmania Ltd

City Organics

Clarence City Council

Clarence Doorways

Cloddy IT

Colony 47

Convict City Rollers

CVGT Hobart

Danu Herbs

Dianne Ainslie NDIS Support Worker

Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre

Ella Haddad MP

Emily Parkinson – Registered Psychologist

Equal Opportunity Tasmania

Eye Am Hair

Family Planning Tasmania

Fiori Florist

Flourish Mental Health Action in our Hands Inc

FRIENDZ LGBTIQ SOCIAL GROUP

Glenview Community Services

Goodbyes Hobart

Hairy Legs Cafe

Halcyon South

Hall Payne Lawyers

Hamlet

Hobart Brewing Company

Hobart Cat Café

Hobart Folk Dances (Folk Federation of Tasmania)

Hobart Functions & Conference Centre

Hobart North Uniting Church

Hobart Out Tennis Inc

Holyoake

Hospice volunteers South

inside Hobart

Inspired Office

Ironic Party Planning

Joyous Celebrations

Kingston Neighbourhood House

Laid Back Manor

Lindisfarne Psychology & Wellbeing Centre

Locker Room Hobart

Mitch Robson Counselling

Moto Vecchia Cafe

Mures Tasmania

New Town Chiropractic

New Town Health

Ogilvie Jennings Lawyers

Peppermint Bay

Positive Solutions

Pulse Youth Health

QTAS Arts

Queer Sporting Alliance

Rainbow Care Clinic

Rainbow Youth Events Hobart

Raw Strength Tasmania

State Cinema

Stress Free Fast

Sush

Sush Track

Tassie Bird and Poultry Supplies

Tempo Therapy & Consulting

Terry White Chemmart Lindisfarne

Terry White Chemmart Rosny Park

The Art of Tea Bouteaque

The Circus Studio

The Grand Poobah

The Hobart Bookshop

The Huon Domestic Violence Service

The Link Youth Health Service

The Page And Cup

Theatre Royal

Thistle Witch Gardening

Transform Counselling and Psychotherapy

Youth Arts & Recreation Centre

NORTH:

Attitude Counselling

Beaconsfield Child and Family Centre

Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre

Bright Beginnings Yoga

CVGT Launceston

Deloraine House Inc

Diversity Launceston

Dorset Community House

Enterprising Aardvark Counselling and Consultancy

Florage

Gentle Death Education and Planning

Launceston Community Legal Centre

Launceston Football Club

Launceston Head to Health

Mediation Matters Tasmania

Positive Solutions

Prydes Support

Respect at Work

Reynish Counselling

Salveo Healthcare

Skittles LGBTQIA+ Youth Group

Tamar Visitor Centre

The Blue Door

The Church Campbell Town

Tresca Community Centre

NORTH-WEST:

Burnie City Council

Connect4Life

Dr Claire Jensen

East Devonport Neighbourhood House

HAEL XIII

Headspace Devonport

Secret Buddha Cafe

Serenity House

The Postmaster Inn Bed and Breakfast

Victoria Street Clinic

Wajan Hale Counselling

Warrawee Women’s Shelter

Weddings For Everyone

Youth, Family & Community Connections

TASMANIA WIDE:

Almost Heaven Clydesdales

Anglicare Tasmania

Australian Unemployed Workers Union Tasmania

Baptcare Family and Community Services Tasmania

Cancer Council Tasmania

Carers Tasmania

Community and Public Sector Union Council on the Ageing

Daydream Photography

Engender Equality

Equal Together

Equality Tasmania

Heidi Harrison Psychotherapy

Independent Living Centre Tasmania

Family Violence Counselling and Support Service

Libraries Tasmania

Lifeline Tasmania

Love Is All – Civil Celebrant

Marry Me, Memily

Mental Health Council of Tasmania

Mission Australia – Disability Employment Services

Pride Society of UTAS

Rainbow Communities Tasmania

Rebecca White MP

Scarlet Alliance Tasmanian Sex Worker Project

Sensual Potential

Sexual Assault Support Service

St John Ambulance

Statewide Sexual Health Service

TasCAHRD

A Tasmanian Lifeline

Tasmania Police

TasPride

TasTAFE Student Support Team

Tender Funerals

Transgender Tasmania

Uniting AgeWell

UTAS Ally Network

Working It Out

Signpost is a project of Working It Out.

signpost@workingitout.org.au

SERVICES DIRECTORY

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TASMANIA

https://equalopportunity.tas.gov.au

Ph 1300 305 062

The office of the anti-discrimination commissioner

SCARLET ALLIANCE TASMANIAN SEX WORKER OUTREACH PROJECT

outreachtas@scarletalliance.org.au

Ph 0451 835 897

www.scarletalliance.org.au

TASPRIDE

www.taspride.com

Celebrating and uniting the Tasmanian LGBTIQQ community

WORKING IT OUT

www.workingitout.org.au

Sexuality and gender support and counselling

SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICE

http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/sexualhealth

Toll Free: 1800 675 859

Clinic 60 – 60 Collins St Hobart

Ph 03 6166 2672

Mon – Fri 8:30am – 4:30pm

Clinic 34 – 34 Howick St Launceston

Ph 03 6777 1371

Mon – Fri 8:30am – 4:30pm

Devonport – Ph 03 6777 1371

by appointment only

Counselling, support, referrals, STI/HIV testing and PrEP prescriptions

TASCAHRD – TASMANIAN COUNCIL ON AIDS, HEPATITIS & RELATED DISEASES

www.tascahrd.org.au

Ph 1800 005 900

TAS POLICE LGBTIQ LIAISON OFFICERS

www.police.tas.gov.au

Ph 03 6230 2111 (Hobart)

Ph 03 6336 7000 (Launceston)

Ph 03 6434 5211 (North West)

To

ATDC TAS – THE ALCOHOL, TOBACCO & OTHER DRUGS COUNCIL

OF TASMANIA

http://www.atdc.org.au/ Advocating and initiatives

THE LINK YOUTH HEALTH SERVICE & HEAD SPACE FOR PEOPLE AGED 12-24

http://www.thelink.org.au

57 Liverpool St Hobart | Ph 03 6231 2927

Mon – Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm

Counselling, outreach, case management, support for mental and sexual health, alcohol and drugs (incl NSP), family planning

HOBART COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICE

www.hobartlegal.org

166 Macquarie Street, Hobart | Ph 03 6223 2500

Shop 3, Covehill Fair, Bridgewater Ph 03 6263 4755

FAMILY PLANNING TASMANIA

http://www.fpt.org.au

421 Main Rd Glenorchy

Ph 03 6273 9117 | Mon – Fri 9:00am – 5.00pm

93 Patterson St Launceston

Ph 03 6343 4566 | Mon – Fri 9:00am – 5.00pm

199 Mount Street Upper Burnie

Ph 03 6431 7692 (Tues, Wed and Thurs)

Contraception, cervical screening, gynecology, sexual health checks, planned and unplanned pregnancy..

POSITIVE LIVES TASMANIA

Advocacy & Support for HIV 0478 909 949