edited by David G Taylor with Jon Keay, Email news, listings and product info to us at eye@positivenation.co.uk
PRICK UP YOUR EARS
Lucy
Liu (Charlie’s Angels), Olympia Dukakis (TV’s
Tales of the City), Chlöe Sevigny (pictured left) and
Stockard Channing (TV’s West Wng) deliver scene-stealing
performances in the critically acclaimed new film, 3 NEEDLES.
This poignant flick looks at the way people are affected by Aids in three
different areas: South Africa, Canada and China. Premiered at last year’s
Toronto International Film Festival, the film has only recently been on limited
release in the UK.
It’s currently touring a handful of festivals and art-house cinemas.
If you’re quick you can catch it at Bristol’s Arnolfini
cinema (1 and 2 May) or at Manchester’s Commonwealth
Festival (3 and 5 May).
Check out the Bristol Arnolfini screenings at www.arnolfini.org.uk, or the
Manchester Commonwealth Festival at www.commonwealthfilm.com
TAKING THE DIS?
HIV
positive care worker Scott Donnelly, first featured on the
cover of PN in December 2005, is taking part in a national campaign to raise
awareness of disability issues. Sacked from his job for being HIV positive,
Donnelly (formerly Watts) was snapped by celebrated photographer Eamonn McCabe
as part of the Disability Rights Commission’s new ARE WE TAKING
THE DIS? campaign. The campaign aim is to raise awareness of
the day-to-day issues and discrimination faced by people with disabilities
and long-term health conditions.
To have your say, visit www.disabilitydebate.org
ATTITUDE FREE
Are you a black African or Caribbean man attracted to men? Want to meet other
guys like yourself to talk things through? THE BLACK CONNECTION
is a supportive, confidential and attitude-free group that meets every third
Sunday of the month in Islington, London, between 6pm and 9pm. The group welcomes
newcomers and this month’s get-together is on Sunday 21 May. Ask for
group leaders Anthony Johnson or Dennis Carney. The group meets at Pace,
34 Hartham Road, London N7 9JL.
Call 020 7700 1323, www.pacehealth.org.uk
COUNT THE COST
In
25 years, 65 million people have been infected with HIV and 25 million have
died. Author and Aids campaigner Peter Gill calls those responsible to account
in his new book BODY COUNT: HOW THEY TURNED AIDS INTO A CATASTROPHE, out 27
April.
Unearthing shocking new facts, Gill argues that politicians and religious
leaders in both the developed and developing worlds have failed in their duty
to protect their people from the virus; how George W Bush committed $15bn
to fighting Aids but insisted on a seriously flawed Aids prevention policy,
and how Tony Blair promotes universal Aids treatments in Africa but ignores
the fate of many HIV positive Africans in Britain.
This well-researched book contains revealing interviews with church leaders,
people living with HIV and politicians, including ex-US Secretary of State
Colin Powell. No stranger to HIV, Peter Gill ran an Aids media campaign for
the BBC in India and this book provides an essential insight into the
politics and failures surrounding the virus. Calvin Holbrook
Body Count (£7.99, Profile) is available at www.amazon.co.uk
BANK ON THIS
All
charities are different, but the one thing they share is the need to maximise
the return on their money. In fact, it’s a legal obligation for
trustees. This is as true of the HIV charity sector as any other. The
COIF CHARITIES DEPOSIT FUND has been helping charities achieve
this objective since its launch in 1985. The Fund is a charity itself, so
doesn’t pay any tax or shareholders, dividends, factors which make it
a very competitive
alternative to most bank and building societies. Even the smallest charity
can benefit, as there are no minimums, and the account is easy to operate
by post or fax.
Check with your favourite charity to see if they are getting the benefit.
Or if you work for a charity and want more info, call 020 7489 6010
READY
TO DROP-IN
Lincoln-based HIV charity POSITIVE HEALTH LINCOLNSHIRE
(formerly LAVG) runs a free drop-in service during office hours every Thursday.
All are welcome to stop by for free advice, condoms or literature.
Call 01522 513 999,
www.positivehealthlincs.com
or email admin@positivehealthlincs.com
ONE FOR THE KIDS
The
INTERNATIONAL HIV/AIDS ALLIANCE and FAMILY HEALTH
INTERNATIONAL have produced a free CD-ROM on SUPPORTING ORPHANS
AND OTHER VULNERABLE CHILDREN. The toolkit will be of particular
interest to individuals and organisations interested in working with children
as a response to HIV/Aids in developing countries. The CD-ROM contains over
600 documents that share learning resources from a wide range of organisations.
Topics include running a programme, health and nutrition, and children's rights.
Six orphaned children walk the 7km from their school through the bush to their
grandfather’s house, Mozambique
Order free of charge from www.aidsalliance.org
ART ATTACK
HIV positive artists are among those to feature in a daring multi-media arts
event about the human body called MEMOIRS OF A MERKIN. Organised
by London collective ACT ART and curated by Olly
Frost and Marc Massive, it’s a chance to see new performance,
film, painting, and other works by an eclectic range of artists from various
cultural backgrounds united by an interest in the body. It takes place on
5 May. We’re told its “shocking to those of a
nervous disposition”, so don't say you haven’t been warned. Head
for Central Station, 37 Wharfdale Rd, London.
Tickets £5 before 11pm. www.actart.co.uk
WEEKEND BENDER
This month’s BIRMINGHAM PRIDE 2006 is the city’s
tenth annual celebration aimed at the gay, lesbian and bisexual community.
Running 27-29 May, this landmark weekender includes a street
festival, parade and community fête.
Call 08702 364 141 or visit www.birminghamgaypride.co.uk
LOOK AFTER THE PENNIES...
WEBSITE
OF THE MONTH
If you’re struggling to make ends meet or just want to make your cash
go further, a website run by finance guru Martin Lewis may
be the answer. Billed as ‘the consumer’s revenge’, it’s
packed with practical advice on finding the cheapest gas and electricity suppliers,
claiming back unfair bank charges, juggling balance transfers, paying less
for your home insurance, finding the cheapest broadband service and
cutting the cost of those spiralling mobile phone bills. Best of all? The
site is free to use.
To save some dosh, visit www.moneysavingexpert.com
NORTHERN SOUL
Three
weeks of top queer culture, art literature, dance and more await readers north
of the Watford Gap when the 2006 Queerupnorth festival kicks
off on 7 May. Thanks to sponsorship from airline BMI, the
organisers have attracted global talent including the world’s best-selling
gay author Armistead Maupin (right) for one night only on
13 May. Pre-festival, on 5 May, there’s
a rare opportunity to see TS Eliot Prize winner Mark Doty, a leading US poet
and author of My Alexandria, composed on learning his lover was HIV positive.
Positive Nation is also delighted to be media partners for this year’s
festival.
On 7 May, Kiki & Herb perform their anarchic political
cabaret at Harvey Nichols, restaurant, Manchester. Throughout the month, artist
Paul Harfleet is resident at the Manchester Gallery, introducing people to
his Pansy Project (pictured below) where the artist planted self-seeding pansies
close to sites where he has received homophobic abuse (thepansyproject.com)
This year’s festival also incorporates The Big Gay Read lit festival
(12-18 May) featuring top queer authors including Jake Arnett
and Zoe Strachan performing readings and events across Manchester libraries.
Queerupnorth runs 7-28 May
www.queerupnorth.com,
www.biggayread.com
info@queerupnorth.com, 0161 833 2288
HIGH SEA ADVENTURE
Looking
for a life-changing experience? This summer, gay HIV group COMPASS SUPPORT
are running a sailing trip to the Irish West Coast, calling at picturesque
Kinsale, Cork, Youghal and Dunmore East. No sailing experience is necessary;
all you need is a thirst for adventure and a desire to learn new skills. The
trip will cost around £260 for seven days including berth and all onboard
food and drink.
Compass Support, a self-financing and not-for-profit organisation, was set
up in 1986 by a group of HIV positive people who wanted an affordable way
to explore nature and learn about themselves along the way. Their trips are
designed to build self-confidence and self-esteem, ideal for all of us who
face the physical and mental stresses of living with HIV and combination therapy.
Call 020 7373 9091 or email compass.support@btinternet.com
READER OFFER
K*PAX Vitamins are a micronutrient supplement specifically developed for HIV
positive people to help counteract the toxic effects of antiretroviral therapy
and to help strengthen and balance the immune systems in those who are treatment-naïve
or those on a treatment break.
Simply email your name and telephone number to offer@kpaxvitamins.co.uk, write
‘PN OFFER’ in the subject field. To learn more about K*PAX Vitamins
visit www.kpaxvitamins.co.uk.
The first 30 Positive Nation readers to email offer@kpaxvitamins.co.uk
will save over £40 on a month’s supply of Double Strength K*PAX
Vitamins and get them for just £50 instead of the usual price of £92.95.
DIARY May
4th Islington, London Positively Women host an HIV treatment
update session starting at 6pm, with newly
diagnosed support group and one-to-one support sessions running from 7-8pm.
Call the casework team on 020 7713 0222.
13th Oxford National Student Pride hosted by Oxford Brookes
LGBT Society, this years event promises to be bigger and better. For details
check out www.studentpride.co.uk
18th Islington Positively Women’s third Thursday group
will be a creative writing workshop with an opportunity to find your voice
and express yourself. Call the casework team on 020 7713 0222.
20-21st Blackpool Pride Festival. One of the last free Pride
festivals left in the country. Call 01253 317 403 or check out www.blackpoolpride.com
for more info.
21st Manchester George House Trust have a team running in
this year’s Great Manchester Run. To sponsor their runners or cheer
them along the city centre route, visit www.ght.org.uk
for more information
22nd London NAM’s monthly forum is about HIV and holidays.
Dr Laura Waters will look at issues arising from travelling with treatments,
vaccinations and provide a sexually transmitted infection update. University
of London Union, third floor, Rooms 3C and D, Malet Street, London. Visit
www.aidsmap.com or call
020 7840 0050 for more details.
27th Edinburgh HIV charity Waverley Care hosts a day of singing
at St Cuthbert’s Church, Lothian Road to celebrate the 250th anniversary
of Mozart’s birth.
Join Conductor Mark Hindley for a rousing rendition of Mozart’s Coronation
Mass. If you would like to sing in the 300- strong chorus or simply be a member
of the audience, contact Waverley Care on 0131 226 2206 or visit www.waverleycare.org.
Prices range from £7 to £12.50 with all proceeds going to Waverley
Care.
UPDATE
Haringey +Positive Rainbow Haringey is a new support/social
group for HIV positive gay and bisexual men who live in the London borough.
They meet every Tuesday evening and hold a regular monthly social. For more
info and venue details, email positiverainbowharingey@yahoo.co.uk.
North West England George House Trust are running two African
Away Weekends for African people with HIV and their children. George House
Trust provides everything for a relaxing weekend break in the Cheshire countryside.
The first weekend is in July and early booking is recommended. Places are
limited and priority is given to people who have not been before. The weekend
is only available to people that live in the north west of England. Call Lynda
on 0161 274 4499 or email lynda@ght.org.uk.
Kennington, London UK Coalition of People Living with HIV and Aids(UKC)
holds a Tai Chi/Qi Gong class every Monday from 6-8 pm. This ancient traditional
Chinese exercise is beneficial for people suffering from chronic disease,
weakened by or following heavy infections, to support the return to good health
and increase vital energy. For more info, call 020 7564 2180 or just turn
up on Mondays at UKC, 250 Kennington Lane, London SE11 5RD.
The Children and Young People HIV Network are launching a new handbook
called Developing Support Services for Children, Young People and Families
Living with HIV. It’s aimed at practitioners from children’s services,
health, social care and the voluntary sector to help them improve and develop
existing services.
To mark the launch, the Network are running free seminars for people that
work with children, young people and families affected by HIV. Runs 9 May,
in Wigan; 30 May, London; 7 June, Birmingham; 28 June, Chippenham, Wiltshire;
5 July, Leeds. Call 020 78431905 or email Linda at ltoocaram@ncb.org.uk.
