Allsorts Youth Project, the Brighton based youth project for young LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people, has recently employed a young person to be the Sexual Health Peer Support Worker.

Matt Gardiner is to provide advice and support to other LGBT young people as well as sexual health awareness through workshops, discussions, outreach and events.

Matt said:
“It is fantastic that Allsorts now has a young person that can talk to others their age about sexual health. Currently this is quite a taboo subject amongst young people when really it should be something that can be talked about and discussed without being scared or embarrassed. I also think that having a young person that others can talk to makes it easier for young people to access sexual health information and services. Let’s face it you don’t want someone the same age as your parents telling you how to have sex and what you should be doing!

“Whilst it is important to have a young person in this role it is also just as important to get the message of safe sex out there and not just for guys but for everyone. It is important for this message to be delivered to men considering Brighton has the highest rate of newly aquired HIV infections outside of London and young men are also at risk of other sexually transmitted infections. However women who sleep with other women are not immune to STIs and they can still catch them through oral sex and through the sharing of sex toys. The biggest message I could possibly say to LGBT young people is don’t be ignorant to the risks of unprotected sex, and for the safety of yourselves and others, use protection, get regular sexual health screens and be safe.”

For more information about sexual health services and support for LGBT young people contact Allsorts Youth Project on 01273 721 211 or email: info@allsortsyouth.org.uk

For more information view:
www.allsortsyouth.org.uk