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Month: November 2016

Former Hove MP tells NHS to stop delay and save lives

Posted on by Besi

Ivor Caplin, calls for NHS to prescribe PrEP immediately to those at risk of acquiring HIV.

Ivor Caplin
Ivor Caplin

The former Government Minister and MP for Hove was speaking at the ‘Perspectives and Perceptions of PrEP’ – an OUT @ University College London, World AIDS Day event tonight, November 28.

He told the audience of students and staff from the University’s LGBT group that the use and commissioning of PrEP will be a game changing moment in the fight against increasing HIV infections.

He said: “It is time to stop the procrastination of the NHS and deliver PrEP now. We know it will reduce HIV across the UK so ultimately will save money for the health budget.”

He observed that funding PrEP could be done by very small reductions in other budgets and asked why do NHS spend £80m a year on funding paracetamol which costs 29p in Tesco?

He said by reducing that budget by 20 million pounds you could immediately pay for the provision of PrEP without affecting other important life changing drugs.

He also called for no hysterical comments pitting patient against patient for life saving drugs which he accused the Department of Health of encouraging after the first court case was lost.

He concluded saying: “Over the last 30 years many thousands have been lost to HIV but we as this generation now have the opportunity to begin the reduction and maybe eventually the end of HIV that’s why every medical advance is important in this fight.”

PrEP, a single pill administered daily, protects HIV – negative people from the HIV virus before any potential exposure with studies showing that PrEP can reduce the risk of HIV infection from unprotected sex by over 90%.

BOOK REVIEW: A Boxful of Ideas: John Dixon & Jeffrey Doorn

Posted on by Eric Page

boxfulofideasfrontA Boxful of Ideas

Edited by

John Dixon Jeffrey Doorn

 

A Boxful of Ideas is the latest and most ambitious an­thol­ogy from Gay Authors Work­shop. There’s a strong selection of short stories, poems, all with a current take on topics of interest. It’s a superb anthology not just of good stories filled with humor, honesty and well written plots that will connect with all Queers readers, but also an anthology of style and prose. It has range and ambition and also a cozy comfortable edge. I enjoyed reading it all.

Paradise Press, founded 1999, is run by a collective and has published over forty titles.

Authors featured in this anthology include:

  • Greg Woods, Emeritus Professor of Gay and Les­bian Studies at Nottingham Trent Uni­versity
  • Jeremy Kingston, former theatre critic of The Times
  • Chris Beckett, prize-winning poet and author of Ethiopia Boy
  • V. G. Lee, comedian, novelist, winner of the Ultimate Planet Award for established writer
  • Donald West, psychiatrist, author of one of the first British books on homosexuality

Out now, Paperback

£8.99

For more info or to buy the book see the publishers website here, or attend the launch event at Gays the Word Bookshop.

A Boxful of Ideas launch

Thurs 8 Dec 7pm

@ Gays The Word

66 Marchmont Street

London WC1N 1AB

 

Surrey Police awarded ‘White Ribbon status’

Posted on by Gary Hart

Surrey Police has been awarded White Ribbon Status, which means that its work to tackle abuse in intimate relationships has been nationally recognised.

web-600The White Ribbon campaign works to condemn violence against women; the force’s domestic abuse action plan demonstrates that Surrey Police has developed a clear and unambiguous vision for public protection, including domestic abuse.

Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Furnell explains: “Surrey Police is committed to tackling all forms of domestic abuse. We continue to improve our investigations into these cases and the quality of service that we give to vulnerable victims and their families. Surrey Police has achieved White Ribbon Accreditation, which is a demonstration of our continued commitment to making Surrey a safer place to live.”

The White Ribbon campaign commended the force’s work saying: “We are delighted to award Surrey Police White Ribbon Status and would like to thank all of those involved in the accreditation process, who clearly work very hard on the force Domestic Abuse action plan.”

To mark the accreditation, Surrey Police staff and officers are being invited to take the White Ribbon Pledge:

Never to commit, condone, or remain silent about men’s violence against women in all its forms.

Pledge events took place across the force at 3pm on Friday, November 25, which was White Ribbon Day and the International Day Against Violence Against Women.

 

For more information, click here:

Norway provides free PrEP for those at risk of HIV

Posted on by Besi

While UK authorities drag their heels on a decision to make Prep available to people most at risk of acquiring HIV, Norway provides a stark contrast and agrees to fund the drug.

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Norway is the first country in the world to offer pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) free of charge on their national health service.

The game-changing drug, Truvada – the only drug approved for PrEP – will be offered to all groups considered at risk of acquiring the HIV virus, including gay and bi-sexual men and transgender women.

PrEP protects HIV-negative people from HIV before any potential exposure with studies showing that PrEP can reduce the risk of HIV infection from unprotected sex by over 90%.

In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognised the potential population-wide benefits of PrEP and released new guidelines recommending PrEP be offered to all people who are at substantial risk of HIV.

Despite the new WHO recommendations, global PrEP roll-out has been slow, with cost be being a major barrier to uptake. The USA approved PrEP in 2012, with Canada, France, South Africa, Kenya and Israel all following, but Norway is the first country to offer it for free.

Norway’s move is in stark contrast to developments in the UK last week, where the NHS lost a High Court appeal, ruling that they were responsible for the provision of PrEP.

web-600Ian Green, chief executive of Terrence Higgins Trust in the UK, said: “Norway’s decision to provide PrEP is another great step forward for HIV prevention in Europe. PrEP is a game changer and, when used alongside condoms, regular testing and effective treatment, it can help end the HIV epidemic for good.”

Case dropped against 30 positive gay men in Czech Republic

Posted on by Besi

HIV criminalisation case against HIV-positive gay men dropped, however consequences could deter people from testing in future.

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Prosecution lawyers in Czech Republic have dropped a case against 30 HIV-positive gay men.

The men had been accused of having unprotected sex and spreading HIV which is a criminal offence in the Czech Republic.

All the men had acquired a new sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the last year and Czech public health officials used this as evidence to show that the men had participated in condom-less sex.

Under Czech law, people living with HIV can be persecuted for “spread of infectious diseases” by having unprotected sex, including oral sex.

The case, was brought against the men in January, despite no complainants, nor any evidence of HIV transmission.

It also seems that there was no attempt to understand if any of the men were on effective treatment with undetectable viral loads, or if they practiced sero-sorting – only having unprotected sex with other HIV-positive men.

The fact that condoms aren’t 100% effective against certain STIs, such as syphilis, which many of the men had contracted was ignored.

Last week the case was finally dropped due to a lack of evidence.

Jakub Tomšej
Jakub Tomšej

Jakub Tomšej, a lawyer with the Czech AIDS Help Society, said: “There’s absolutely no evidence, there are no victims, we believe the only consequence of this kind of investigation is that HIV-positive people who get another STI will simply avoid doctors.”

The rationale behind laws criminalising HIV transmission is to deter what many believe to be morally unacceptable behaviour through fear of punishment.

However, a wealth of evidence worldwide, shows that HIV criminalisation does not work as a public health strategy. Such laws undermine efforts to prevent and treat HIV because they discourage people from getting tested.

HIV charity create new interactive timeline of HIV epidemic

Posted on by Besi

To mark both World AIDS Day 2016 and their 30th anniversary, AVERT, the charity who provide information and education on HIV and AIDS to a global audience have created a new interactive timeline of the HIV epidemic.

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The timeline explains events from around the globe covering the history of HIV, from its origins through to the present day.

There’s also an online toolkit which features downloadable resources for promoting the timeline.

For more information about the timeline, click here:

 

Seagull fans support Sussex Beacon on match day

Posted on by Besi

Brighton & Hove Albion help Sussex Beacon reach fundraising targets on match day.

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After being chosen as one of Brighton & Hove Albion’s charity partners this year, local HIV charity The Sussex Beacon were raising money at the Brighton & Hove Albion home match against Fulham yesterday, November 26.

Staff and volunteers from The Sussex Beacon were out in force collecting donations from football fans and raising awareness of both HIV and the charity.

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Simon Burgess

Former Leader of the Council, former Chair of Sussex Beacon Board of Trustees and Albion fan, Simon Burgess joined other shaking buckets at the game.

He said: “I am really proud of Seagull fans generosity towards people living with HIV.”

The Sussex Beacon provides specialist support and care to over 500 people living with HIV a year, offering both inpatient and outpatient services to improve health and promote independence.

Those using the charity’s services may be facing serious HIV related illnesses, dealing with mental health issues or struggling to cope with the side effects of new drug regimes.

Recently rated ‘outstanding’ by the independent health regulator, The Sussex Beacon provides first class care and support to those in need.

 

Simon Dowe
Simon Dowe

Simon Dowe, CEO of The Sussex Beacon, said: “We’re delighted to have the support of the club. All the money raised by the bucket collection will go directly towards helping people living with HIV, so if you’re at the game, please look out for us in our bright pink tabards and donate if you can. Football fans small change can make a big difference.”

Paul Barber
Paul Barber

Paul Barber, Brighton & Hove Albion Chief Executive, added: “As a club we are proud to support The Sussex Beacon as one of our two official charity partners, and Saturday’s game raises some much-needed funds for the tremendous work they do across the county. I am pleased our fans to give generously, to what is an incredibly good cause.”

For more information about Sussex Beacon, click here:

Labour says ‘Autumn Statement’ a missed opportunity

Posted on by Besi

Chancellor’s Autumn Statement leaves Health and Social Care frozen out.

Cllr Dan Yates
Cllr Dan Yates

Labour’s Health and Wellbeing Lead for the City, Cllr Dan Yates, has branded the Autumn Statement ‘a missed opportunity’ after the Chancellor’s public finances statement failed to mention NHS funding or social care funding.

Lord Porter, Chair of the Local Government Association, said it was “unacceptable” that the social care funding crisis had not been addressed by the Chancellor.

The Autumn Statement highlighted over £120bn of extra debt that Brexit may add onto the national debt, and saw the Chancellor announcing tax reductions for businesses and heritage funding.

Meanwhile no additional funding was announced for the health and social care sector, which is reported to be facing its biggest ever winter crisis after years of stagnating funding and increased demand.

Cllr Yates said: “It is beyond belief that the Chancellor will reduce business taxation while allowing local health and social services to go into winter with a known £600m funding gap in Sussex and East Surrey alone. Constant financial restrictions on our local services have seen our Clinical Commissioning Group, GP services, pharmacies, hospitals and social care services working hard to try to retain safe and effective services for the sick and most vulnerable in the city. This week the CCG concluded that in just a few years’ time levels of debt could reach over half a billion pounds locally. Clearly better and fairer funding is something we urgently need to see.

“Across the country NHS leaders, GPs, councils and residents have begged the Chancellor to make extra money available to avoid a total breakdown of our beloved NHS yet the Chancellor’s attention seems more focussed than ever on his Brexit concerns and reducing spending on public services.

“I’m calling on the Chancellor now to give us a fair settlement and allow us to do our job of delivering high quality effective health and social care services for all residents of the city. If he is determined to continue the spending squeeze overall then the least he can do is to raise the cap on the social care precept above 2% in some recognition of the challenges we face, and to allow us more options for funding a safe and secure social care system in Brighton and Hove. I am convinced the only City he cares about is big business and bankers in the City of London when he should care about the tens of millions of people in towns and cities across the country who rely on the NHS and Social Services for their safety, health and continued wellbeing.”

 

Stonewall and Premier League team up for LGBT+ Rainbow Laces campaign

Posted on by Paul Gustafson

Footballers from all Premier League clubs, and a number of clubs in the Championship, League One and League Two, English Football League, Premiership Rugby and Welsh Rugby will wear rainbow laces today to support the  Stonewall campaign.

The Premier League will mark their support for the campaign with perimeter advertising at every match that includes supporting Rainbow Laces messaging and games will be opened with a giant Premier League Rainbow Laces flag.

Other activities include teams wearing Rainbow Laces during training, laces being handed out at weekend fixtures and clubs organising meetings between LGBT fan groups.

The Wembley Arch will also be lit up in rainbow colours tonight, November 26 and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) are also joining in, with referees lacing up for this weekend’s fixtures.

Premier League executive chairman, Richard Scudamore, said: “The Premier League is all about exciting, passionate and unpredictable football that is for everyone, everywhere. The Rainbow Laces campaign complements the work clubs are doing to promote inclusion and diversity in their stadiums, and across all levels of the sport. Our support for the campaign, and the decision to become members of Team Pride, is further recognition that the LGBT community is a vital and integral part of our community.”

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Ruth Hunt, Stonewall’s chief executive, added: ‘The research we released earlier this year gave a clear indication of what needed to happen for sport to become more inclusive. Research made it clear that if things were going to change we would need the support from across sport. It’s crucial for organisations like the Premier League, The Football Association and the Rugby Premiership to show they welcome lesbian, gay, bi and trans people. At the moment, many LGBT people want to take part in sport, either as players or fans, but the abuse and hate from a minority of fans can make them feel unsafe, unwelcome or unable to be themselves.

“We know the majority of sports fans want a better, more inclusive game. This campaign is about encouraging people to step up and say they will not stand for abuse and the support of football and rugby clubs and associations is crucial because it gives people the confidence to do that.”

Funke Awoderu, the FA’s inclusion & diversity manager, said: “Our support for LGB&T inclusion remains a continued priority. This year’s Rainbow Laces campaign sees football coming out in force to celebrate the relaunch of the campaign. We are proud of the overwhelming support from leagues, clubs and fan groups.”

Stonewall has developed a range of measures to tackle homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in sport including a sports toolkit for grassroots and community sport teams to build awareness and understanding of the issues affecting LGBT people, and how they can help ensure all sports offer an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere.

Stonewall will work with all of the clubs involved in Rainbow Laces to support their activities.

PREVIEW: ‘Dick Barton and The Tango of Terror’

Posted on by Besi

 

‘Is this the thin end of the wedge? Will they be letting girls read the news next? Are Rodger and Wilco safe? Can Jock return Daphne’s jewels and save her reputation? Some, if not all, of these questions will answered in the next exciting instalment of – Dick Barton, Special Agent’

web-600Dick Barton, hero of the BBC’s acclaimed 1940s wireless serial, is brought back to life in this the third of Phil Willmott’s critically acclaimed and hugely successful series of musical comedies.

A ruthless Latin lothario has set his sights on the women of London. No gal is safe from his sultry seductions. Thank heavens that square-jawed British hero, Barton, is on hand to save the dignity and diamonds of the dowagers and debutantes. But will the fancy footwork of this foreign fiend and the dreaded EFIL (Evil Foreigners in London) defeat Dick and his pals Jock and Snowy.

This joyful Christmas production will be a bit of a romp, staged in the style of a 1940s Radio play; with the actors broadcasting as if from a BBC studio and includes lots of singing and dancing.

Director Gerry McCrudden recently directed How many Miles to Babylon? at the NVT as well as The Winslow Boy, Hay Fever and Dancing at Lughnasa. Gerry says: “This is quite a departure from those shows and by coincidence  some may see echoes of current national preoccupations but I  could not possibly say!”

Event: Dick Barton and The Tango of Terror

Where: New Venture Theatre, Bedford Pl, Hove, Brighton BN1 2PT:
THIS PRODUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE STUDIO THEATRE.

When: Thursday 1 – December 10, 2016 with a matinee and evening performances on Saturdays December 3 and 10.

Time: Evening performances: 7.45pm. Matinee: Saturday 3/ Sunday 4 and Saturday, December 10 at 2.30pm. No evening performances on Sunday/ Monday evenings.

Cost: Ticket price: £9.00 / Final Friday & Saturday performances: £10.00 / First Thursday & Tuesday nights: £8.00

To purchase tickets online, click here:

 

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