Those of you who are regular readers will have seen the promotion of IDAHO which was on 17th May. Gay Surrey put an event on the day itself which was very well attended and in this edition there is a write up and some photos for those of you who could not be there on the day. You missed a very good event indeed.
We still have a long way to go in this country before we reach full equality and when you hear what some of the speakers on the day had to say it makes you realize that we are not alone in some of the feelings and experiences that we have faced. We constantly hear the words used “well things are much better now and you can live your life more freely” and probably for a lot of gay men and women and trans that may be true. But for every one of them there is likely to be 3 or 4 more that are not confident about their life and how others perceive it due to the homophobia that is still around and which is left unchallenged. Support for this kind of event is paramount, we should not become complacent.
With all the wrangling that is going on at the moment with our government it is worth reflecting on the fact that the new equalities bill has had two readings within the house of commons and the next stage is the house of lords, but still a 139 MP’s voted against this bill for various reasons, but ultimately it shows there are sections of our society, which of course we live in, who think that if you are not white and heterosexual then you do not have the right to full equality.
The new 20 minute HIV test reported on in this issue is currently available to men in areas of high prevalence of HIV and currently there are no plans for it in Surrey but if it is successful within London and Brighton it will not be too long before it reaches us. It is important for you to know your HIV status so that you can seek appropriate treatment when needed. The services here in Surrey are comparable to those offered in London with regard to the consultants’ knowledge and expertise here in Surrey. As always play safe
Ian
First openly gay contestant on the Apprentice is FIRED
Prosecution for HIV transmission
First openly gay contestant on the Apprentice is FIREDHoward Ebison, the only gay contestant on this year's BBC1 show The Apprentice, was spectacularly fired. In an interview with Pink Paper, he said he was "mortified" to be out of the series - and no longer in the running for the role of Sir Alan Sugar's aide. Earlier in the series, he was caught up in a media storm over allegations that his fellow contestant Mona Lewis was homophobic. "As for the so-called scandal, nothing was said directly to me and I never incurred any homophobia. Sometimes these incidents can be blown out of proportion." Ebison, the show's only gay contestant, doesn't feel that his sexuality was ever an issue."My sexuality was irrelevant. I never lead with my sexuality in any professional venture, it's always something that people later discover, usually when a friendship or common bond has been formed," he added.
Volunteers to help with outreach work at various public sex environments and gay venues in West Surrey. You will need to have spare time during the week, have access to your own transport and be able to work as part of a team. Training and support will be given. Contact Ian on 01932 355533 or 07801 629972.
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The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia - May 17th 2009
The 17th was a day to remember, despite the weather we actually had sun and the children had a great time on the bouncy castle, playing on the Fire Engine, Police and Fire car. I say children but there were a few adults that were enjoying that part of the day too.
The team at Gay Surrey worked so hard to make this day happen and the support was amazing with over 160 people attending the afternoon and evening, everyone was excited that so many helped the charity prove we are a great community and one that has families too.
The afternoon kicked off with a welcome IDAHO cocktail, the smells of the BBQ on the patio, the cutting of the IDAHO cake all making the launch of IDAHO packed with family fun with an atmosphere that was electric and one we will never forget.
The exhibitors were amazing and we have received such positive responses about the work they are doing in helping the LGBT community, their family and friends within Surrey.
The speakers were truly touching, sharing their heart filled stories and covering key issues surrounding life in Surrey some made many realise what an amazing community we are and opened some people's eyes to the good and bad, for that the charity thanks to everyone that spoke on the 17th. The evening came to a great end with the launch of Gay Surrey's new yearly event - Heart of Equality Awards
These awards were given to those who have worked hard in raising awareness to Equality and Diversity in Surrey
2009 winners
- Oatlands Park Hotel
- Elmbridge Borough Council
- Ian Cole Surrey PCT
- Elmbridge Guardian Newspaper
- Sam King Youth Worker
- TEASE club - Guildford University
- David Gill Community member
- Gino's personal choice award went to - Mick Day of Surrey Police
After such an amazing day it's hard to believe that we are already thinking and planning IDAHO and the "Heart of Equality" Awards 2010, so watch this space. Thank you to everyone that supported the charity not only yesterday but over the years as well.
Gino
Prosecution for HIV transmissionsTwo leading HIV charities have launched a guide for people living with HIV in England and Wales explaining criminal prosecutions for HIV transmission. The guide, titled Prosecutions for HIV Transmission, was written by the National AIDS Trust (NAT) and the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT).
It explains the law around HIV transmission and provides practical advice for anyone accused of HIV transmission or considering making a complaint against someone for HIV transmission.
Since 2003, people living with HIV in England and Wales have been prosecuted for the reckless transmission of HIV. The Crown Prosecution Service recently clarified the law around prosecutions for HIV transmission. Usef Azad, director of policy and campaigns at NAT, said: “Today the majority of investigations into HIV transmission do not go to court but they can still cause much distress for all involved. NAT is still campaigning for an end to prosecutions for reckless transmission of HIV through consensual sex. But while prosecutions occur we are working with THT to ensure that all those involved – lawyers, prosecutors, police, support organisations, healthcare workers and most importantly people living with HIV understand the law.Everybody living with HIV in England and Wales should read this leaflet.”
Lisa Power, head of policy, Terrence Higgins Trust, added: "It's really important that everyone with HIV knows what the law says and does in relation to their lives. We've supported many people - both complainants and defendants - who got involved in prosecutions for passing HIV without taking proper advice and regretted it later. This leaflet would have helped them."
As well as producing guidance for individuals living with HIV, the two charities are working to ensure police investigate allegations of reckless or intentional HIV transmission appropriately. THT recently produced the report Policing Transmission which is available at:
www.tht.org.uk/policingtransmission
Frankie Howerd’s partner passes awayDennis Heymer, the former partner and manager of comedian Frankie Howerd, has died. Mr Heymer died aged 80 in late May in the arms of Chris Byrne, who the couple unofficially adopted as a teenager. He had lived on Mr Howard's estate since the comedian passed away in 1992. They had been together since 1955 and met while Mr Heymer was working as a waiter.
Axbridge town councillor Mr Byrne, 42, told the Western Daily Press: "He died in my arms as I always said he would. I always assured him that he would never go into a nursing home. It was quite peaceful and I thanked him for everything he had done for me, and he thanked me for what I had done for him. Behind the scenes he was a great show business man and together he and Frank toured the world and met prime ministers and other heads of state. He was president of the Frankie Howerd OBE Trust, and a number of other trusts have benefited from the guidance he has given them."
Last month, it was reported that Mr Heymer and Mr Byrne had had a civil partnership to ensure Mr Byrne would inherit the multimillion pound estate."The civil ceremony protects us legally with the property that Frank left Dennis and with my inheritance," Mr Byrne said. "It's not a romantic relationship, but it's a caring one. I look after Dennis because he's very frail now."
HIV test result within 20 minutesA new HIV test which takes only 20 minutes to deliver a result is now available on the NHS.
Previously, those wishing to take an HIV test could wait up to a week for their results.
The new test, which uses a special absorbent toothbrush to collect saliva samples from the mouth, was found to be as effective as a blood test. It has been introduced at Barts and the London NHS Trust in London, where doctors expect to carry out around 250 tests a month.
Merle Symonds, head of sexual health at the trust, said: "Approximately a third of people in the UK who are HIV positive are currently unaware of their condition. There are still very real problems due to people who are not testing until they have become unwell as a result of undiagnosed HIV infection. This means that treatment that is now widely available may not work as effectively. Making testing for HIV quicker and easier is a real step towards getting people to test sooner. As this test doesn't require us to take blood or send samples to a laboratory, we can begin to look towards testing outside traditional clinical areas. We are already offering this test to service users in some of our outreach services run in non-healthcare settings."
The test is currently being offered to all people from areas of high HIV prevalence and to men who have sex with men, in addition to those who are sexually active with either group.
Earlier in May, charity Unicef warned that Britain now has the highest number of new HIV infections in western Europe, with gay and bisexual men and black Africans most at risk. In 2007, there were more than 7,700 new HIV diagnoses in the UK and the organisation has also said infection rates in young people are rising, with ten per cent of new infections occurring in those aged between 16 and 24.
The second highest figure for new infections was in France, with 4,075. Germany, which has ten million more people than Britain, had 2,752 new cases.
Four in ten of those diagnosed with the disease were men who have sex with men.
Articles needed urgentlyA lot of articles this month have come courtesy of www.pinknews.co.uk although some of the articles have a local reflection a lot do not. Please contact me with local news and information that the LGBT population of Surrey would be interested to know. You may run a business that you wish to advertise (free of charge) please send me a copy electronically.
ListingsSurrey Domestic Abuse Helpline
Are you being frightened, hurt or
abused by a partner or family member
24 hour confidential service
01483 776822East Surrey Domestic Abuse Outreach Service
01737 771350
(Serving Reigate and Banstead, Mole Valley and Tandridge)North West Surrey Domestic
Abuse Outreach Service
01483 776822
(serving Woking, Runnymede and Surrey Heath)North Surrey Domestic
Abuse Outreach Service
01932 260690
(serving Epsom, Ewell, Elmbridge and Spelthorne)South West Surrey Domestic
Abuse Outreach Service
01483 577392 or 01932 260690
(Serving the Waverley area)Relate, West Surrey
Provincial House
26 Commercial Way
Woking, Surrey GU21 6EN
01483 715285 www.relatewestsurrey.org.uk
Naz Project
HIV and sexual health support service for
South Asian, Middle Eastern, North African, Latin American and other excluded communities
e-mail naz@naz.org.uk
Website: naz.org.uk
0208 7411879 9.30-5.30 Mon-Fri.Guildford Area Gay Society (GAGS)
Meets every Wednesday, phone Simon on 01252 370809
www.gags.org.ukThe Cellar
Disco runs last Saturday of
each month 9.00 pm - 2.00 am and social meeting Friday evenings 8.30 pm midnight
Farnham, Surrey (phone for details)
01252 715844Homophobic Incidents
Call Surrey Police on:
0845 1252222 or www.stophatecrime.co.uk
WSLAGLO@surrey.pnn.police.uk or 01483 630474
GUM Clinics
Genito-Urinary MedicineFarnham Road Hospital, Guildford
01483 537007Blanche Heriot Unit, St Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey
01932 722669Frimley Park Hospital, Frimley
01276 604105K2 Clinic, Wolverton Centre, Kingston Hospital
For Gay and Bisexual Men
Wednesday 6.00 - 8.00 pm - walk in only
0208 934 2843TWISTER Youth Club!
LGBTQ Young People, Surrey Ages 13-19
Various Nights 7.30pm - 9.30pm
www.surreycc.gov.uk/twister
Local Voluntary Organisations
Outline
Lesbian and Gay Helpline and social group
open Sunday and Tuesday between 7.30 and 10.00 pm
01483 727667www.gaysurrey.org
offering help, support and advice locally
to those who need it
Tel : 0700 5982 429 anytime
Young Gay Surrey
Website dedicated to 13 to 19 year olds for help and support www.ygsspeakout.org
The following Charities offer advice, support and
information to people infected and affected by
HIV/AIDSPositive Action
0800 9801990 (freephone)
01252 345019
THT Surrey Region
01483 263160
St Peters House Project
01737 763000Married Men’s Group
A group for men who are married or in
relationships with women and are attracted to
or having sex with other men.
07801 629972RASASC
Rape and sexual abuse support centre
01483 546400 female staffed (7.30-9.30) closed Saturdays and Bank Holidays
Contact Ian Cole
on Mobile - 07801 629972
e-mail ian.cole@surreypct.nhs.uk
This newsletter is produced by the Harm Reduction Outreach Team part of Surrey PCT
