edited by David G Taylor with Jon Keay, Email news, listings and product info to us at eye@positivenation.co.uk
COST OF LOVING?
Thumbs
up to Manchester primary care trust’s sexual health team who are staging
a one-day conference on the impact of jailing people for transmitting HIV
on 2 June. The Impact of HIV Transmission and Criminalisation:
the Debate is aimed at people working in the voluntary, social or
healthcare fields. Until now, almost all debate on the impact of prosecuting
people for transmitting HIV has been led by HIV charities, specialist lawyers
and activists with little input from the NHS. Many frontline healthcare professionals
are worried about how the criminalisation of HIV transmission will affect
public health efforts around testing and prevention, yet few statutory bodies
have contributed to this debate or even admitted there is a problem.
Meanwhile, Keele University in Staffordshire is staging its final seminar,
HIV/Aids and Law: Strategic Initiatives (23-25 June). The
UK Law and HIV/Aids Project aims to provide a source of information for people
interested in the impact of law on people living with HIV and Aids, whether
in an academic, professional or personal capacity. This latest residential
seminar looks at ways in which law can be used strategically to combat discrimination.
The conference is at the Sheridan Suite, 371 Oldham Road, Manchester. Contact
Pete Smith or Bridget Hughes on 0161 882 2300
Places are limited. A registration form can be downloaded from www.keele.ac.uk/research/lpj/Law_HIV-AIDSProject/Events.htm
I DO LIKE MONDAYS
Most
readers will have now seen the quirky TV ads for MONDAY,
the new charities lottery, but not all will have realised that UKC is among
70 charities that will benefit. For every pound spent with Monday, 30p goes
direct to charity, five times more than with the National Lottery. As well
as UKC, Monday will support a wide range of other worthy charities including
Barnados, British Red Cross, St John Ambulance, Trees for Cities, Shelter
and WWF. UKC chief executive Stephen Bitti said: “We’re thrilled
to be part of the Monday lottery. It’s a revolutionary new fundraising
initiative with potential to help UKC support significantly more people living
with HIV, especially around our work as the national HIV patient group.”
Play online at www.playmonday.com
KAISER CHIEF
HIV
specialist Dr Jon D Kaiser (left), famous for combining mainstream
HIV treatment with nutritional supplements, is visiting the UK to address
HIV positive audiences about his holistic approach.
Dr Kaiser has been treating people for 15 years. For his UK dates he will
be
lecturing on LIVING A NORMAL AND HEALTHY LIFESPAN WITH HIV.
Kaiser’s research into vitamin supplementation for toxicity associated
with antiviral drug therapy was among the few studies on complementary treatments
to be mentioned at the retroviruses conference in Colorado. His London lecture
is on 20 June at the Imperial College School of Medicine.
More talks are lined up for Manchester and Birmingham.
Call 020 7439 1365 for lecture details
WORK IT OUT
Many PN readers have extolled the virtues of life coaching for getting their
lives and relationships back on track. Former columnist Sam Cotton sings the
praises of one such life coach, Maurits Kalff of London’s
Affordable Life Coaching group, who is holding a one-day GREATER RELATIONSHIPS
WORKSHOP on 10 June.
“Relationships can be complicated,” says Kalff. “From meeting
new people to existing relationships, we often need support and a strengthening
of love for ourselves.”
Kalff also makes the bold claim that he can make you feel confident about
starting any relationship. Sadly, very little is free these days but £75
will cover the day.
For details, or to book a place for the workshop on 10 or 17 June,
call 020 7233 1369 or visit www.affordablelifecoaching.org
PRIDE OF YOUR LIFE
Much of June is given over to London’s EUROPRIDE.
Kicking off on 16 June a fortnight of cabaret, clubbing,
comedy, theatre, music and visual arts happenings take place in and around
the capital. The festival culminates with the spectacular EuroPride
Parade and Rally on 1 July, when Trafalgar Square will be besieged
by supporters and speakers from the LGBT community. Afterwards there’s
a massive Soho party featuring music, comedy and dance including stalls, bars,
the Drag Idol finale, food festival and speed dating. The grand finale will
be a show at the Albert Hall on 2 July, devised by Sir Ian
McKellen and boasting a host of stars including Alan Carr, Julian Clary, Paul
O’Grady, Sandi Toksvig, the Gay Men’s Chorus Choir and Tina C.
For details of all events and
listings, call 020 7494 2225 or see www.pridelondon.org
FAIRY TALES
It’s now three years since photographer Mladen Peric
introduced us to his body of work, COLOURS OF PRIDE, based
around LGBT festivals. We were impressed by his technical ability and talent
for communicating the irrepressible joy of Pride marchers and revellers. PN
is also privileged to be a Colours of Pride beneficiary. To mark Europride
2006, Colours of Pride has published a book of photographs set to become an
important historical document for the LGBT movement. People living with HIV
are, and should be, very much part of that narrative.
The Colours of Pride book is released 30 June, £25, available at www.amazon.com.
An exhibition runs
at City Hall, Queen’s Walk, London SE1, from 1-13 July. The gallery
is open 8am-8pm.
DESIGN FOR LIFE
Craftsman
José De Vasconcelos (LEFT) says it took his recent
HIV positive diagnosis to spur him to take his Mediterranean-influenced interior
designs to a wider audience. With support from Ensuring Positive Futures,
the UK-born Portuguese interior designer is now reaching out through his new
company DOART LTD which takes commissions to order.
José applies his skills across a range of mediums including pottery,
bedroom furniture, garden art and restaurant interiors. The 31-year-old was
raised in south London’s close-knit Portuguese community where gay men
are often expected to stay firmly in the closet. His work reflects much of
his cultural heritage with its enduring respect for traditional crafts but
José lends a modern twist that hints at great things to come.
To see more of Jose’s work or discuss a commission, email DoArt@hotmail.com
BRAHMS TO BROADWAY
THE
PINK SINGERS, the oldest and one of the best-known lesbian and gay
choirs in Europe, return to Duke’s Hall, at the Royal Academy of Music,
on 17 June for a concert showcasing their vocal talents in
Brahms to Broadway. Expect a diverse repertoire encompassing everything from
Medieval English lullabies to show-stopping gay anthems. The performance will
also be British Sign Language interpreted by Steve Hudson. Tickets £12
each (£10 concessions).
Advance bookings on 07020 934 678, or at www.pinksingers.co.uk
SWEET RETREAT
The West Country’s KERNOW POSITIVE SUPPORT has booked
a joint venture RETREAT WEEKEND along with the Thames Valley
based charity Thames Valley Positive Support (TVPS). This weekend is at Epiphany
House in Truro (left) between 18-20 August.
To reserve a place, call KPS on 01208 264866. www.kpsdirect.com
AFRICAN WEEKEND
Manchester’s GEORGE HOUSE TRUST is planning an AFRICAN
WEEKEND AWAY in the beautiful Cheshire countryside from 30
June to 2 July. It’s a chance to relax and share with others,
and everything from food to transport is provided. The weekend is open to
HIV positive adults and their children known to the George House Trust. Priority
will be given to those who have never attended before.
To register, contact Lynda on 0161 274 4499 or email lynda@ght.org.uk
MARK ASHTON REMEMBERED
Friends of the late gay rights activist Mark Ashton are planning
a reunion next February to mark the 20th anniversary of his death from an
Aids-related illness aged just 26. Mark died on 11 February 1987, just 12
days after his diagnosis. He was an exceedingly popular gay rights activist
whose death had a tremendous impact, especially on London’s gay scene.
At the time there were many long obituaries in the gay press and a packed
funeral at Lambeth crematorium.
After Mark’s death, his friends set up the MARK ASHTON TRUST,
supported by Jimmy Somerville, Richard Coles, Michael Cashman and many others,
which has raised more than £20,000 for people living with HIV.
Anyone wishing to take part, attend or contribute should get in touch with
Chris Birch by calling 020 7736 3104 or emailing chris@sw6lon.freeserve.co.uk
FLOWER POWER
Christian
Aid’s WISH YOU WERE HERE...? show garden at this year’s
HAMPTON COURT PALACE FLOWER SHOW (4-9 July) will focus on
the importance of education in the fight against the global HIV/Aids pandemic.
Award-winning garden designer Claire Whitehouse has created a garden inspired
by Christian Aid funded HIV/Aids projects in Jamaica. The garden aims to show
the reality of Caribbean life away from the travel brochure images. “Education
is vital,” explains Karen Hedges, show garden project manager. “HIV
rates in Jamaica are rising at an alarming rate. We want to educate visitors
to the garden and encourage them to join us in the fight against this deadly
disease.”
Tickets on sale now for the Charity Gala Preview on 3 July in aid of The National
Autistic Society. Call 020 7821 3675 or see www.rhs.org.uk/hamptoncourt
READER OFFER
You
could argue we are what we breathe, and few us like sitting in homes or workplaces
awash with pollen, unwanted bacteria, pet odours and other irritants. MobilAire
Revitaliser is a chic little gadget that helps to eradicate pollutants
in the air. Using tap water and a little of one of the PureAire essences,
this odour-zapper acts as a humidifier and an ioniser, converting positive
ions into healthy, negative ions. It comes complete with USB adaptor that
can be attached to your laptop and batteries.
MobilAire, £29.95 plus P&P; PureAire essences, £6.95.
From www.intrade2010.com
or call 0845 3700 288
Positive Nation has three MobilAire Revitalisers to give away courtesy of
our friends at Intrade. Simply send us your name and address on a postcard
by 30 June to:
MobilAire competition, UKC, Positive Nation, 250 Kennington Lane, London SE11
5RD
DIARY JUNE
31 May LONDON Ever wished you could influence the services
provided for you? Feedback London is a new, totally independent
service-user group open to anyone with HIV who lives, works or uses HIV services
in south London. The next meeting is at 2pm at UKC, 250 Kennington Lane, London
SE11, 020 7564 2180.
3rd ABERDEEN Pride takes place in Duthie Park, 12.30-7.30pm,
01224 644101 or see www.prideinaberdeen.org.uk.
3rd BOLESIDE picnic site hosts this year’s Scottish
Borders LGBT BBQ Pride. Call 08453 459 047 for details.
7th SOUTHAMPTON Positively Women facilitate the Ribbons
Centre’s women’s group for a session on self-esteem.
For details of this and other June events, visit www.ribbons-centre.co.uk.
8th LONDON THT’s annual Cocktail Club fundraiser takes
place in luxurious surroundings at world famous store Thomas Goode. With music
from Eastern European trio Tziganarama, a magician, high value raffle and
tarot card reading, we predict a good time. 7-11pm. Tickets £50 from
nikki.hughes@tht.org.uk or call 020 7816 4559.
24th GLASGOW Pride Scotia is one of the more out-there Pride
events. Watch or take part in the parade and rally where politicians and activists
will bend your ear off (quite right too). Call 0131 556 9471 or see www.pride-scotia.org.
24th LEICESTER Pride kicks off with a parade through the
city centre and multi-cultural festival in Victoria Park. Call 07090 419 159,
or see www.leicesterpride.co.uk.
25th SOUTHEND-ON-SEA London’s Mildmay Hospital is staging
a spectacular open-air charity concert featuring Jools Holland. The east London
hospital was forced to close a ward due to a fall in voluntary income. For
more info, call Paul Sayer on 01702 394 450 or email paul@mildmayevents.co.uk.
Check out www.concertinthepark.org.uk.
26th LONDON NAM’s monthly forum is on treatment interruptions.
Dr Adrian Palfreeman talks about the biggest ever study into the safety of
breaks from HIV treatment. University of London Union, 3rd floor, Malet St,
London, W1. Call 020 7840 0050 or see wwww.aidsmap.com.
29-30th EDINBURGH Changing the focus: A national conference for Scotland
on gay and bisexual men’s sexual health and wellbeing organised by Healthy
Gay Scotland. This is a free, two-day event with workshops, seminars, presentations
and plenary sessions. Register online at www.changingthefocus.org.
UPDATE
WOLVERHAMPTON THT now offers an alternative testing environment
for HIV and hepatitis at their offices in Bond St, every other Saturday, 10.30-1pm,
and once a month on a Thursday, 7.30-9pm. Call 01902 711 818 for more details.
Positively Employed is a new leaflet aimed at people living
with HIV and their employers. Produced by National Aids Trust and funded as
part of the Ensuring Positive Futures programme, the leaflet advises on recent
changes in the law; sets out how employers can create fair work practices,
and helps HIV positive people get informed about their rights. Leaflets available
from the Disability Rights Commission on 0845 7622 633.
Positive Rainbow Haringey is a new support/social group for
HIV positive gay and bisexual men. They meet every Tuesday evening and hold
a regular monthly social. Email positiverainbowharingey@yahoo.co.uk.
London Friend has teamed up with Macmillan Cancer Support
to find out how cancer affects the gay, lesbian bisexual and transgender community.
Certain cancers are more prevalent amongst HIV positive gay men, including
Kaposi’s sarcoma and anal cancer.
If you’re willing to share your views, email office@londonfriend.org.uk
or ze_veiga @hotmail.com. www.londonfriend.org.uk.
