#4, March 2009
This is an archived copy of a Positive Life NSW newsletter. To subscribe to our newsletters, click here.
Same Sex Legislation and Protecting Same Sex Pensioners
A broad coalition of social welfare agencies and community health organisations is calling on the Federal Government to give older same-sex couples extra time and resources to adjust to new legislation affecting their Centrelink payments.
The coalition welcomes recent changes to Commonwealth legislation to end discrimination against gay men and lesbians, including same-sex couples, across a wide range of federal areas. However, the coalition is concerned that the changes, which come into effect on July 1, will disadvantage elderly same-sex couples by cutting their pensions without giving them a reasonable opportunity to adjust to the new circumstances... Read more
Mitcham dives into charity
Aussie Olympic Champion Diver Matthew Mitcham fronts Global Fund project aimed at preventing the spread of tuberculosis, malaria and AIDS in the Pacific. Organised by Friends of the Global Fund, the project aims to support the work of the fund in the Pacific region.
The Governor General Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC is Patron, and amongst notable members are Ita Buttrose and Former Justice Michael Kirby.
Mitcham, who dived his way to gold in Beijing last year, will travel through Indonesia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, the Solomons and other Pacific nations as part of the Global Fund, an organisation set up by the founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, and his wife, Melinda, to tackle the diseases worldwide... Read more
Conference highlights the forces encouraging risk behaviour in gay men
The forces encouraging sexual risk behaviour are large and widespread, but the forces for precautionary behaviour are meagre and narrowly focussed, argued Ford Hickson of Sigma Research at the CHAPS conference of gay men’s health promoters in Brighton last week. Rather than describe HIV prevention in the UK as failing, he suggested it would be more accurate to say that it is inadequate.
Other sessions at the conference included one of the first qualitative studies of the experiences of gay men co-infected with hepatitis C and HIV, and an examination of how HIV-positive men have adjusted their behaviour in the light of prosecutions of HIV transmission... Read more
Pope’s remarks dangerous and irresponsible: IAS
Press Release: International Aids Society
20 March 2009 (Geneva, Switzerland) - Pope Benedict XVI ‘s comments on the role that condoms play in preventing the further spread of HIV are irresponsible and dangerous, says Julio Montaner, President of the International AIDS Society (IAS).
On March 17, 2009, while traveling to Cameroon, the Pope addressed the media, calling AIDS “a tragedy that cannot be overcome by money alone, that cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which can even increase the problem.” This is the first time that Pope Benedict has directly spoken out against the use of condoms... Read more
Sero Disco - Why let HIV get in the way of a good relationship?
NEW SOCIAL MARKETING CAMPAIGN OUT NOW
Thought about going out with a positive guy, but worried …
In a relationship, but not confident about condoms …
Heard about viral load, but not sure what it means for you …
Thinking about how to tell some one you like that you are positive?
Looking after each other in serodiscordant relationships (where one partner is HIV positive and one partner is HIV negative) includes everything from communication to condoms.
Look out for our campaign postcards, t-shirts and one-off lifestyle magazine.
If you would like printed resources call Positive Life on 9361 6011 or freecall 1800 245 677.
Read more about this campaign at Positive Life NSW
Albury dinner
Do you live in the Greater Southern Area of NSW?
We would like to invite people with HIV and their partners to a dinner with us in Albury Monday 30 March, 6.30pm.
We would also like to invite you to meet with us on Tuesday 31 March (daytime), at Albury Sexual Health Cinic, to talk about issues, needs, and services for people who live in this area.
Positive Life NSW, the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, Poz Het and ACON will be there. The project has been funded by the HARP (HIV and Related Programs) Unit, Greater Southern Area Health Service.
For more info, or to RSVP please call Harry at Positive Life on 1800 245 677 or email: harryr@positivelife.org.au or talk to the Albury Sexual Health Clinic staff.
Assistance with transport and fuel costs is available.