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Former police commander talks about his use of PrEP 

Lord Paddick has today spoken of his use of the HIV prevention drug PrEP in a personal story he shared on the Prepster website.

 

PADDICK was the Liberal Democrat candidate for the London mayoral elections of 2008 and 2012. He was, until his retirement in May 2007, Deputy Assistant Commissioner in London’s Metropolitan Police Service and the United Kingdom’s most senior openly gay police officer.

He was a participant on the original PROUD trial and is now on IMPACT. In his My PrEP Story he talks about why he joined the trial, and the benefits of interacting with friendly, non-judgemental and supportive medical staff at 56 Dean Street Clinic.

In the blogg he tells of his enduring anxiety around HIV, stemming from the early days of the epidemic when he says he may have avoided HIV acquisition because he was married at the time and “playing it straight.”

Yusef Azad
Yusef Azad

Yusef Azad, Director of Strategy at NAT (National AIDS Trust) said: “We welcome Brian Paddick’s candid account of how he has found taking PrEP both on the PROUD trial and in the current IMPACT Trial.

“His honesty around the challenge he has found in using condoms consistently will resonate with countless people, both gay and straight. That does not mean we forget about condoms – they remain the best way to protect against other STIs, as Brian says. But in the real world where many people do not use condoms all the time, PrEP is a much-needed extra tool for preventing HIV. It can remove the pervasive anxiety that has haunted the sex lives of gay and bisexual men for far too long. And it can save the NHS money as we see HIV diagnoses fall.

“Given PrEP’s undisputed effectiveness in preventing HIV, we urge NHS England to move to routine commissioning of PrEP as soon as possible. There are people currently trying to access PrEP at clinics where all trial places have been filled and who are as a result being turned away. We know of some who have then acquired HIV. This cannot continue. We need a national PrEP programme with no caps on numbers.”

To read Brian’s story in full, click here:

Pride celebrated across the Transport for London Network

Stations across London are being adorned with striking new roundels to show celebrate the LGBT+ communities ahead of Pride in London on Saturday, July 7.

RAINBOW roundels, which were very popular with rail customers last year, have been updated with the new hashtag #EveryLoveMatters, which encourages everyone to be proud of themselves, and love who they are as well as others.

For the first ever time, a brand-new roundel in pink, blue and white, inspired by the trans flag, has been created as well. The roundels will be at a number of locations across the network, including Tottenham Court Road Underground station, Vauxhall Underground station, Romford TfL Rail, and Embankment Pier.

Shoreditch High Street Overground station has also been transformed with rainbow and trans-inspired benches, while City Hall and Transport for London’s (TfL) 55 Broadway office are proudly flying the rainbow flag all week to celebrate the capital’s diversity.

TfL is also launching a LGBT+ Allies group later this year for members of staff who would like to learn more about LGBT+ issues and support the LGBT+ communities. This group will increase awareness and provides employees with a forum to ask questions and share advice, which will lead to a more inclusive environment for our staff and customers. The group will work with OUTbound, TfL’s LGBT+ staff network group, which offers LGBT+ colleagues the opportunity to meet with other like-minded people in the organisation, who they might not usually get the chance to talk to, and discuss their experiences.

Sadiq Khan
Sadiq Khan

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m proud to raise the Pride flag at City Hall. For the first time this year London will celebrate our LGBT+ community with both rainbow and trans colours across the transport network. In London we celebrate our differences and Pride is the perfect opportunity for us to come together and honour the fantastic contribution our LGBT+ community makes to our city.”

Amy Lamé
Amy Lamé

London’s Night Czar Amy Lamé, added: “I’m delighted that for the first time the trans flag will join the rainbow flag on roundels across London. Our capital’s strength is in our diversity and we’re once again showing that London is open for everyone, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability or background.”

Sadiq Khan pens a letter to LGBT+ people of London…

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan pens a letter to the LGBT+ people of the capitol in the lead up to London Pride.

IN THE letter published exclusively in the July issue of Gay Times the Mayor concedes that even in London, the fight for LGBT+ equality is far from over. He also talks how that other cities around the world should look to the work that London is doing to become more inclusive.

He writes in Gay Times: “London is the greatest city in the world and I’m incredibly proud to live in a city that celebrates its diversity. Here in London you can love whoever you want to love, dress however you want to dress, and be whoever you want to be. We are home to every nationality, ethnicity and walk of life, and we must continue to shout about it.

“Pride in London is a wonderful example of our city at its best. It’s a time when we come together as one to celebrate the contribution of the LGBT+ community in our capital and show that we are one of the most LGBT+ friendly places on earth.

“Thirty years on from the dark days of Section 28 being introduced in the UK, I want LGBT+ people in oppressive environments around the world to know we stand with them and we march for them too.

“Ahead of this year’s festival, I’ve been reflecting on the sort of city London would be without the contribution of the LGBT+ communities. Ours would be a diminished capital. Less accepting, less interesting, less colourful and far less at ease with itself.

“The LGBT+ communities have played a unique role in shaping culture, broadening public horizons and affirming individual freedom.

“The struggle for LGBT+ equality has, in many ways, helped liberate us all and enhance our understanding of diversity.

“For too long we’ve been presented with a limited picture of history. LGBT+ figures, where they were referenced, found themselves either demonised for, or defined by, their sexuality. Individual achievements risked being undermined by prejudice and pioneers found their sexual identities erased to appease a hostile public.

“I’m glad to say that today in London things are different and we celebrate LGBT+ contributions in all aspects of society. Despite London being an emblem of diversity and progress, I know there is still work to be done.

“As in the rest of the UK, LGBT+ young people are disproportionately likely to face homelessness, experience depression and anxiety and suffer abuse and harassment. This is simply not good enough. Who you are and where you’re from should have no bearing on what you can achieve.

“LGBT+ Londoners deserve complete equality, but sadly I still hear of couples feeling uncomfortable expressing themselves in public and being discriminated against for doing so.

“The safety, liberty and representation of LGBT+ people across our city is hugely important to me. That’s why we take a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime in all forms. There is absolutely no place for homophobic, biphobic and transphobic abuse in our city and I will continue to work with the Met and anti-hate organisations to stamp it out.

“At a time when our society can feel increasingly divided, Pride shines as a beacon for love. And in an age where people can be less vocal about what they are for, rather than what they are against, Pride provides a vital opportunity for unity and solidarity.

“I’ve been touched by stories of young people who, having wrestled privately with their sexuality or gender identity, felt not only visible but valued by attending Pride.

“So, as we prepare to march for love, acceptance and in solidarity, I want to thank the LGBT+ community for continuing to welcome me with open arms.

“As we enjoy the joy and laughter of Pride, let’s celebrate how far we’ve come as a society and look forward to an even brighter future. Pride shows that London welcomes everyone, regardless of age, race, religion, disability, gender or sexuality. So just come as you are, London is open.”

Women’s Centre branch closure – Greens demand answers

Greens are furious over closure of branch of Women’s Centre following cuts announced in February.

GREEN Councillors have slammed public health leaders and the Labour Council for failing to protect women’s services in the city, after news that a branch of the Women’s Centre is due to close following cuts.

Earlier this year, The Women’s Centre was forced to absorb an £80,000 budget cut after local health authority, the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), took a decision to withdraw its funding for the charity’s women-only counselling service.

Green Councillors are demanding that the Clinical Commissioning Group, Police and Crime Commissioner and local Labour Council immediately review their funding commitments to support women’s services, saying that decisions to withdraw the counselling contract ‘almost certainly’ contributed to the closure.

Convenor of the Green Group, Councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty, said: “Further to helping to raise the alarm in February that the Women’s centre was facing damaging cuts, we have been devastated to hear that cuts to the Women’s Centre have left them with no choice but to close their Kemp Town office.

“For over 40 years now the Women’s Centre has been helping women in our city rebuild their mental and physical health. Many of these women are survivors of domestic and sexual violence and have relied on this support. There’s no question: it’s a lifeline. Despite counselling and mental health services being overwhelmed with new users, our city’s women will now be left facing longer delays for support, if they can get it at all. And again women are being expected to bear the brunt of cuts.

“A key contract for women-only counselling services by the CCG which was cut has almost certainly contributed to the closure. The Labour Council supposedly works in partnership with funders such as the Police and Crime Commissioner and Clinical Commissioning Group. There is no doubt in my mind that they must be held jointly accountable for the situation the Women’s Centre faces and must jointly re-provide services that will help. We also urgently call on the Labour Council to assist the Women’s Centre in their efforts to find an alternative venue for the drop-in and food bank service.

“With the new Violence Against Women and Girls strategy up for consultation, we are repeating our call for adequate funding and call on the CCG and other local decision makers to take serious action for our city’s women. 7,600 women and girls a year experience domestic violence in Brighton and Hove, so allowing any part of our Women’s Centre services to fold is completely unacceptable.” 

Despite Government assurances, Women’s services across the country have been hard hit by reduced funding opportunities, while changes to probation have also affected those that work specifically with women offenders.

Cllr Emma Daniel
Cllr Emma Daniel

Cllr Emma Daniel, Labour’s Communities & Equalities Champion, responded to the Green claims saying: “I have every sympathy for the Women’s Centre and I have; now I have been made aware of this request for help, asked officers to arrange an urgent meeting with them to see if there are additional ways in which we can help them. We have not cut their funding nor have I been asked to any meetings by this organisation.

“I hold regular open voluntary service surgeries and they haven’t attended these with any issues over the last year. These surgeries mark our efforts to be directly accessible to the voluntary sector as an administration and we intend to continue to be this accessible.

HERE is an organisation which was sub-contracting some health services to the Women’s Centre, services funded by the Clinical Care Commissioning Group, and they did pass on contract reductions to the Women’s Centre. We have no control over such arrangements or influence to prevent this. 

HERE, has leadership with close links to the Green Party and I am sure they will be embarrassed about the decision of Brighton and Hove Greens to choose this particular arrangement to highlight. I am sure this was not an easy decision and like all services in the public and voluntary sectors, cuts passed down from central government are incredibly difficult to deal with.

“The Green Party should focus on ensuring they use accurate information when campaigning, and that they campaign positively to a city that deserves better behaviour in public life. Rather than this misleading and exploitative campaign which I am very disappointed by.

“In terms of domestic abuse, we have continued to protect our funding for the services commissioned and I have worked proactively with Rise over the last six months and met with Survivors Network at their regular surgery to discuss the aspirations of women’s services going forward. A report will be going to the next NICE committee in July on the future commissioning plans for domestic and sexual abuse services.”

Lisa Dando, Women’s Centre CEO has confirmed to Gscene magazine that all politicians were circulated with a statement of their position on June 7.

Londoners urged to prevent HIV this summer

A new city-wide campaign by London boroughs, urges Londoners to look after their sexual health and prevent HIV transmission this summer.

THE Do It London campaign aims to raise awareness of the multiple options now available for stopping HIV.

Led by public health experts at the London HIV Prevention Programme, which is facilitated by London Councils, the campaign encourages Londoners to use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), alongside condoms and regular testing, as core HIV prevention methods. It also emphasises that someone with diagnosed HIV who achieves an ‘undetectable’ status cannot pass the virus on to their sexual partner.

Supported by a dedicated website, which signposts to further information and services, the pan-London publicity will run across a range of outdoor and digital channels, as well as through on-the-ground outreach and condom distribution teams, including at London Pride (on Saturday, July 7) and other events this summer and autumn.

Cllr Ray Puddifoot MBE
Cllr Ray Puddifoot MBE

Cllr Ray Puddifoot MBE, London Councils’ executive member for health & care, said: “HIV remains a major public health concern so it is crucial Londoners know how to look after themselves and each other. By working together on this Do It London campaign, London’s boroughs are ensuring consistent safer sex messages are promoted across the capital this summer.

“We know from previous campaigns that this collaborative approach is essential for raising public awareness, having an impact on people’s behaviour, and delivering excellent value for money at a time when public health budgets are under pressure.”

Paul Steinberg, lead commissioner of the London HIV Prevention Programme, added: “We’re determined to do everything we can to help Londoners understand their HIV prevention choices. Whether through innovative digital marketing on ‘hook-up’ apps and social media, on street side adverts, or via face-to-face health promotion, Do It London’s messages about combination HIV prevention will again be seen across the capital in the coming months.   

“Given the recent drop in HIV diagnoses in London, the campaign seeks to maintain that promising momentum and give everyone who lives, works or visits the capital the information they need to take care of their sexual health and prevent HIV transmission.”

Do It London is an award-winning public health initiative set up in 2015 by London’s boroughs in response to high rates of HIV.

London is home to an estimated 38,700 living with HIV – accounting for 43 per cent of all people with the condition in England. Lack of awareness, late diagnosis, and continuing stigma all increase the risk of onward transmission and poorer health outcomes.

Since Do It London began there has been a downward trend in the number of people diagnosed with HIV in the capital, despite more people testing. This includes a remarkable 40 per cent reduction in HIV diagnoses in five central London clinics – a reduction that has not been repeated on the same scale in the rest of the country.

Earlier this year, London joined the worldwide Fast-Track Cities initiative becoming one of the first global cities to meet the UN’s ambitious HIV diagnosis and treatment targets.

Working together with other cities, London has pledged to achieve three key HIV goals by 2030: zero new transmissions, zero deaths, and zero stigma.

Do It London is the largest campaign for driving progress towards these ambitious goals in the city. If current trends continue, London can be confident of achieving them within the next decade.

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