edited by David G Taylor with Jon Keay, Email news, listings and product info to us at eye@positivenation.co.uk
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disc-spinner DJ Tiësto is ambassador for an ambitious
new campaign to unite young people across the world against HIV through dance.
First launched in Tiësto’s native Holland, Dance4Life
is now working in countries across the globe, including the UK where it is
run by the youth-led development agency, Students Partnership Worldwide.
Tiësto said he joined Dance4Life because it offers young people attractive
ways to get involved and rewards them with a dance event at the end. Dance4Life
team will run workshops in UK schools this autumn to prepare for a special
pre-World Aids Day global event on November 25.
Visit www.dance4life
Thinking
about when to start, switch or even stop HIV therapies can make your head
spin. Sometimes it may feel like there are just too many issues to think about.
You may worry about how many pills you must take, whether they will interfere
with everyday life or if they will have unpleasant side effects. With this
in mind, UKC has published a new booklet to help people steer
their way through the treatments maze and find the right therapy for them.
Starting, Switching and Stopping HIV Therapies is an easy-to-understand
guide designed to help you discuss HIV therapy with you doctor. It draws on
the personal experiences of people living with HIV who explain how they and
their doctors reached various treatment decisions.
Available from your local clinic who can order it from their Gilead drug rep
A
unique website launched last month is sending out the important message that
people living with HIV can bring a huge amount of skills and talent to the
workplace. The site is managed by UKC, as part of the Ensuring Positive
Futures (EPF) programme and it raises awareness and fosters understanding
of HIV, providing employers, trade unions and people living with HIV plenty
of advice about HIV at work. EPF is a partnership of charities, business organisations,
trade unions and government bodies led by UKC.
www.e-pf.org.uk
Self-image, identity and alter ego are the fascinating topics explored
in the Manchester-based exhibition MAKING LOVE WITH MY EGO.
The work rejects the notion of the self-portrait but depicts the artists as
a medium through which they comment on self, identity and society. The show
features a wide range of contemporary artists including Dan
and Marianna O’Reilly (The Anatomy of the Ego, above
left) and Arthur Neve (Making Love to My Ego, above right).
1-6pm, Wednesdays to Sundays till 24 September at Manchester’s Castlefield
Gallery, 2 Hewitt Street.
Call 0161 832 8034 or visit www.castlefieldgallery.co.uk
THE BIG I AM
Self-image,
identity and alter ego are the fascinating topics explored in the Manchester-based
exhibition MAKING LOVE WITH MY EGO. The work rejects the
notion of the self-portrait but depicts the artists as a medium through which
they comment on self, identity and society. The show features a wide range
of contemporary artists including Dan and Marianna
O’Reilly (The Anatomy of the Ego, right) and Arthur
Neve (Making Love to My Ego, above right). 1-6pm, Wednesdays to Sundays
till 24 September at Manchester’s Castlefield Gallery, 2 Hewitt Street.
Call 0161 832 8034 or visit www.castlefieldgallery.co.uk
With summer drawing to a close it’s time to switch focus from the garden
to the home at the Autumn Ideal Home Show, sponsored by Energy
Saving Trust. Running 6-15 October at Earls Court, London, the show includes
life-size homes, hourly demos and talks from the glitterati of DIY, cookery
and interior design. The Ideal Home Show is offering 10 PN readers the chance
to win a pair of weekday tickets worth £20 (that can be upgraded to
weekend tickets for £2 on the door).
www.autumnidealhomeshow.co.uk
Children under 16 go free.
BRIGHTON
BODY POSITIVE has moved to new premises and re-launched their complementary
health service. They continue to provide information and support, outreach
work, vitamin ordering and IT facilities at the new building. The complimentary
health service will run in partnership with the Dolphin House Clinic which
has therapy rooms overlooking Brighton Pavilion Gardens. JK
Therapy sessions booked at Brighton Body Positive, 113 Queens Road.
www.bpbrighton.org.uk
• 01273 234 034
Set in Argentina in 1996, A YEAR WITHOUT LOVE is the story
of Pablo, a 30 year old poet. Suspicious of the new drugs that might stave
off the HIV related illnesses slowly killing him, he defiantly (if foolishly)
sticks to his daily routine. Eventually Pablo (a fantastic performance from
Juan Minujin) finds his way into the world of S&M where, amid the hardcore
bondage, he finds unexpected romance and a new lease on life. Director Anahi
Berneri captures Pablo’s awkward relationships, intense yearning and
his deep self-doubt. Provocative and erotic, A Year Without Love is an engaging
movie about isolation and the need for human connection. JC
DVD £19.99 from Virgin and usual outlets
Now in its third year, the One Vision European Photographic Competition
sponsored by BMS aims to raise awareness of HIV and challenge its associated
stigma and discrimination. This year’s theme, Life Begins Today, generated
a wealth of entries. Winners included Izak Fitch with Transcendent Life (right)
in the UK non-professional category, and Luis Quintanal Cabriales’s
Shadow of Happiness . JK
View winning entries at www.onevision2006.org
Established
in 1986, Positively Healthy is the UK’s only holistic
gay men’s HIV charity. One hundred per cent managed by service-users,
they pay no salaries and occupy no premises meaning every penny raised goes
on providing their free services. They are launching regular peer-support
facilitated workshops in Islington with room for 12 HIV positive gay men.
The workshops run Saturdays, 12-3pm, providing a space to network, share information,
tackle issues and celebrate life after HIV. They aim to establish a network
of like-minded men who will empower one another and create lives worth living.
To enrol visit www.posh-uk.org.uk
or call 020 8977 4411
For
the last two years HIV positive Scot and former volunteer for Edinburgh’s
Positive Voice, Pete Himsworth, has run a great site called THE REALLY
USEFUL POLYSUPER. This site is stuffed with info on clubbing, music,
news, theatre, pop culture, campaigns, GLBT news, plus information on visiting
Edinburgh. And there is a great section dedicated to HIV and mental health
plus loads of useful links.
www.polysuper.com
If
you’re HIV positive, of African descent and living in south London you
can get help with a range of issues at the AFRICAN ACCESS PROJECT.
They can help with housing, immigration, training, health, benefits, career
advice and employment and provides social and emotional support. The project
is a partnership between the African Community Involvement Association
(ACIA) and Deptford’s Positive Place.
Call Positive Place on 020 8694 9988, or visit www.thepositiveplace.org.uk
With markets and promotions all over the country Organic Fortnight
(2-17 September) is the perfect time to find it’s no longer just about
fruit and veg - these days you can even buy organic jeans. Brush away the
autumn blues with Green and Black’s Chocolate Recipes,
£14.99, containing loads of indulgent ideas and more unusual recipes
for soups, fish and meat dishes. Rococo chocolates floral rose bar,
£3.95, brings back happy summer memories: a great gift for everyone
to share at a dinner parties. www.soilassociation.org
www.rococochocolates.com
or 020 7352 5857. JK
POSITIVELY PLAY
Filling
the void left by the demise of PigPitMen, a club in London’s
Kings Cross is now running a twice-monthly social booze and cruise evening
for HIV positive gay men. The night, PLAYPIT+PLUS provides a space for members
to relax in a safe club environment where disclosure is not ever an issue.
The venue sells soft drinks as well as tea and coffee, but you do have to
take your own booze along if you want something alcoholic. PlayPit+Plus
runs regularly 8pm-1am on the first Monday and the third Sunday of each month.
This month join them on Monday 4 September, or Sunday 17 September at PlayPit,
76 Caledonian Road, N1.
02 LONDON Liberty Disability Rights Festival showcases the
talent of disabled artists and performers in Trafalgar Sqare. Info: 020 7983
4277; minicom 020 7983 4458; www.london.gov.uk
03 CHELMSFORD Gay Day 3: fundraising event for local charities
and with 1,600 attending last year it promises to be another big day. Charities
benefitting are Action 4 Men (local men’s health), Chelmsford Gay Switchboard
and the Farleigh Hospice. Call 07904 384 209.
06 LONDON UKC’s Midweek group continues to be one of
London’s best attended groups for HIV positive men. In recent months
they have hosted talks on criminalisation and mental health and invited speakers
have included HIV specialists. Fun, support and a buffet supper. Call 020
7564 2121. 7-9pm every Wednesday.
07-08 LONDON International Conference on HIV/Aids and Business:
Challenges for sustainable development. Visit www.wmin.ac.uk/wbs/page-890
08 LONDON Cara Trust’s Friday group hosts a talk from
the Living Well team on strategies for managing HIV within your life. Call
020 7745 7257.
17 LONDON Gay Sunday at London Zoo. All the usual attractions
with the added bonus of a VIP lounge serving a heady cocktail of champagne
and live jazz. Tickets £8-11.90 www.ticketweb.co.uk
10am-8pm.
OCTOBER
01 GATESHEAD Keen runner Ian Brewin will be raising funds for George
House Trust in the world’s biggest half marathon, the BUPA GREAT
NORTH RUN. “It’s going to be a big challenge; 13 miles
of possible hell but I want to raise money for a charity I believe is over-looked
and worth fighting for,” says Ian, who has friends GHT has helped. Donate
at www.justgiving.com/iansgreatrun
UPDATE
BEDFORDSHIRE BODY POSITIVE is currently recruiting support volunteers.
The training programme starts on the 30 September. For information call 01582
485 448
THE UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON and THT have developed a University
Certificate in Gay Men’s Health Promotion for people who want to develop
their skills and competency in gay men’s health promotion. Email gerard.mcguickin@tht.org.uk
or call 020 7812 1788, or UEL 020 8223 4535 www.ucl.ac.uk/courses
Following last year’s 80s night with Hazell Dean, DERBYSHIRE
POSITIVE SUPPORT is throwing another fundraiser at Derby University
Students Union on 7 October. Enjoy live performances from The Male Order Brides,
singer Jude, boy band Billion and Derby Opera plus special guests. 8pm-2am,
£10/£5 students. For tickets call 01332 204 020
THT Positive Speakers Bureau, Sussex, are looking for volunteers.
You will be trained in public speaking and story- telling. Members of the
bureau work in pairs visiting local schools, colleges and community groups
in the Sussex area. Email chris.pearcy@tht.org.uk or call 01273 764 200
Southwark LGBT Network is running a free pubic speaking workshop
for people who live, work or socialise in Southwark. SPEAK UP, SPEAK
OUT is an opportunity to learn how to speak with confidence and clarity,
get tips on how to think on your feet, and also improve your presentation
skills. The workshop runs 6-9pm, Tuesday 5 September. Call Dax or Francoise
on 020 7403 2936 www.southwark-lgbt.org.uk
THT and Sigma Research have launched the
10th annual National Men’s Sex Survey. The questionnaire takes 10 minutes
to fill out and offers health professionals invaluable information about how
gay men live their lives. www.sigmasurvey.org.uk
