Features

Welcome to Positive
Nation Summer Edition!

Dear Readers,
Welcome to the Summer edition of Positive Nation. Lots have been happening over the last few months but before that we have had some good news and some sad news here in the offices of PN.

The good news is, we are welcoming back “Jack Summerside” who has had many years experience on the front line, both in sexual health organisations and PN back in the day. Jack, as always tells you how it is in his sexual health pages.

More good news! We would also like to welcome back to the columns “Paul Ward” ex editor of PN, now Deputy Chief Executive of THT. Look out for the interview with Paul in the next edition. For those of you who can’t wait, take a look at the interview on the new and improved website www.positivenation.co.uk which was re-launched recently.

And here we are at the sad news. You will all be aware of his famous pages and up front writing style since time began, but sadly we bid farewell to Martin Flynn PNs News editor.

Not so sad for Martin though, as he has landed himself a major role as the Information Co-ordinator for The International Aids Society (IAS) based in Geneva.

Martin leaves us this issue but not before he writes up some major news stories about the lives of positive asylum seekers in the UK, information on HIV infections which are on the rise amongst gay men and the fight to overturn the HIV travel ban in the US.
We’re going to miss you Martin but wish you all the luck in the world and every success in your new venture.

Now back to this issue:
Hot topics from BHIVA’s spring conference in Belfast, It may have been raining over there but lots of headway was made regarding new guidelines on when to start and starting treatment, See Simon Collins pages 62 and 63.

Mathew Hodgson (GMFA) and Will Nutland (THT) come together to assess whether HIV Prevention is succeeding amongst gay men, and our very own Health Specialist Luis Luna tells us all to “Get our nuts out!” (the eating kind obviously) as selenium which is found in brazil nuts are a good source of nutrient (it can be found in other foods to for people with nut allergies, see Luis’s list). Have ago at making his very own brazil nut ravioli its tastes amazing!

PRIDE PRIDE PRIDE
The sun is shining, the boys and girls are out in force and that can only mean one thing “ITS PRIDE TIME” – PN secured media partnership with Pride London this year to ensure the message that HIV has not gone away, is still being heard.

This issue we have a guide to Pride, all the information you need to know about Pride and what’s happening in London Brighton and Manchester. There’s also information on how to become a volunteer and help the charity to ensure that Pride gets better and better year on year.

Have a happy and Healthy Pride!
Darren.