A
revolutionary act
PN’s article on M2M sex in Africa (Africa’s Last Taboo, PN 120,
March) was spot-on. Despite all the good intentions, conferences and fundraising,
we will not ‘crack’ HIV and Aids by feeding a denial culture and
oppressing vulnerable people.
The deep prejudice against M2M sex which prevails among many sexual health
professionals and HIV policy makers in all areas of the world will only make
our problems worse. Sadly, you forgot to mention Simon Nkoli. He was one of
the first Africans to demonstrate that fighting HIV goes hand-in-hand with
fighting homophobia. He was openly gay and HIV positive and brought the issue
to one of the early African Aids conferences in Kampala over 15 years ago.
Also, well done for the front cover. The image of two handsome black men in
a moment of passion was empowering. As a gay African man, I was glad to see
a change from previous articles on the subject, which showed hidden faces
or silhouettes, all reinforcing the shame and guilt of people who have done
nothing wrong but love each other.
Cheikh E Traoré, Peckham
Mac the brave
Thanks for the article Africa’s Last Taboo, and especially for mentioning
the Centre for Popular Education and Human Rights Ghana (CEPEHRG). I met the
president, Mac-Darling Cobbinah, a couple of years ago.
I suggested the organisation needed a website. Thanks to a small legacy I
was able to help him a small way. CEPEHRG now has non-governmental organisation
status and
a website; a grant from a Canadian Lesbian organisation and some help from
the US.
However, the group is constantly constrained by the religious right who want
them to pedal their human rights message and preach abstinence. Mac is an
extraordinary guy; brave, articulate and ‘out’ (I fear for him)
and at the same time funny and talented. I hope we will see him here one day.
John Dickens
Clinic answers critics
I’m writing in response to your news item, Mortimer Market GUM Services
In Crisis, (PN 120, March).
To clarify the situation, the same-day testing service was ended after it
was found to be mostly testing low-risk people and not diagnosing as many
HIV positive people as the general service. It was felt staff were
better used on the general testing service. People who test HIV negative are
handled by the letter results system. Almost all negative results for all
tests are given by letter as this saves people the inconvenience of attending
the clinic unnecessarily. Anyone deemed high-risk or who is very anxious will
be seen in person. These changes have nothing to do with saving money but
everything to do with enabling the service to screen more people.
Pre-HIV test counselling stopped some years ago when HIV testing became a
more routine part of the service and as the benefits of early diagnosis became
so much clearer and treatment advanced. The Mortimer Market Clinic is still
testing a huge number of people and has not cut the number
of tests offered at all.Garry Brough, Patient Representative,
bloomsbury Clinic, LONDON WC1
Viva the running men
I was moved to write after seeing the first of the new BBC1 program Run For
Glory in which an HIV positive man, Clint Walters, is planning to run in the
London Marathon. As someone who has run a half marathon and a number of 10km
races since my diagnosis, I can understand the obstacles to be overcome and
the effort needed to get to the start line to even attempt to run this sort
of distance.
I for one will be following Clint’s progress with interest and I sincerely
hope he makes it to the start line. I wish him well.
COLIN CAPNER, BRISTOL
There is help in Herts
I would like to respond to Allan Morris’ letter in your March issue.
He says he lives in ‘leafy Hertfordshire’, only 30 miles from
London, and there is no support available to him.
Herts Aid offers a range of activities which would decrease Mr Morris’
sense of isolation. We have two monthly lunch meetings, quarterly drop-ins,
an outreach service and volunteers who are able to support people individually
through befriending or telephone contact. Although I understand Mr Morris
getting frustrated and feeling people living in London get better HIV services,
I would urge him to try some of the local services before writing a letter
to PN which puts local Hertforshire support services in a bad light.Suzanne
Bannister, Manager, Herts Aid www.hertsaid.co.uk
Inadequate settlements
I was one of the people infected with HIV through contaminated blood in 1986
(NHS ‘Bad Blood’ Scandal Files Destroyed, News, PN 120, March).
As part of the agreement with the government in 1992, they set up the Eileen
Trust, with the same function as the Macfarlane Trust. Both trusts are running
out of money and the Department of Health has asked the Trustees for a “business
plan” which was submitted before Christmas. We decided, with the backing
of the trustees,
that we would ask for another payout, as the original payouts reflected the
expectation we would only live for five years. I have enlisted my MP Tom Harris
for support, and others affected are contacting theirs.
Gary KellY, GLASGOW
Bring back the board
Congratulations on continuing to produce an excellent and informative publication.
Thank you also for informing me that the UKC has no immediate plans to reopen
the discussion board. It’s a shame the UKC has decided to pull the board
completely, despite its original posting that a new, more sophisticated version
would replace it. Yes, it attracted some people who had their own axe to grind,
but whether this was enough to deter newcomers is debateable. It is also a
poor reflection upon the UKC that it cannot withstand this kind of assault.
It’s a shame for those like me, who benefited hugely from it. It was
a great place to access information from your peers. It’s also a big
shame the UKC did not think enough of its constituency members to inform us
of its decision.
NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED
Write to:
Letters, Positive Nation,
250 Kennington Lane,
London, SE11 5RD or email
editor@positivenation.co.uk
or fax 020 7564 2140.
Please include your address and phone number although these need not be published.
Letters may be edited for length. Views expressed in letters are not necessary
those of PN or the UKC
