AIDS Action December 2009 - January 2010

Issue Dec 09- Jan 10

Christmas is coming Up The Drama Down Under‌Again VAC

Christmas can in fact highlight the negatives in peoples’ lives; it can seem that everyone else is enjoying themselves when you are not!

Read More inside..

Reclaim the Night is held on the last Friday night in October.

SWOP were asked to

participate again Read More inside..

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Up The Drama Down Under… Again Up Front

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ome of you may remember a few years ago, Canberra community organisations and health settings were all of a sudden awash with posters and postcards images of a sometimes partially clothed, sometimes naked, toned man in a range of weird and wonderful situations, such as his underwear on fire or with his buttocks facing the wrong side of his body. This was the highly successful The Drama Down Under campaign about sexual health check ups originally from the Victorian AIDS Council.

VAC teamed up with the Burnet Institute to evaluate the success over a number of campaigns, including The Drama Down Under.

The Institute’s head of HIV/STI research, Dr Mark Stoove`, said the results indicate the general health message is getting across. ‘A very high proportion of those who could recognise the campaign could also report back at least one of the messages involved in the campaign’.

The study looked at levels of recognition, whether people could recall specific campaign messages and what effect the campaigns had on people’s discussion with friends about sexual risk-taking and

if there was subsequent health-seeking behaviour, like testing.

According to results, campaign recognition was -very high, with around 85 percent of the group recognising images from the Drama Downunder STI campaign (Southern Star, 26 March 2009, HIV prevention ads hitting the mark) This campaign in Victoria used many more public spaces than we did here in the ACT, especially making use of the advertising space in bus shelters, which we have only just started in the ACT. Now starts the national roll out of the second stage of this campaign. The same model has been used in this campaign, and after many months of development, you will be starting to see it out and about. Imagery from this phase of the campaign has been used in the new look ads for the STRIP Clinics at Westlund House and Champions, and in the last couple of editions of FUSE Magazine. The centrepiece of this campaign will be the use of some large outdoors advertising. Keep an eye out, we won’t tell you were just yet, but it could be on the side of a bus, adorning a shopping centre or on bus shelters around town.

The editors suggested that I might want to write a seasonal message for consideration in this issue. I’m not that big on Christmas with all its overt commercialism and my recognition that for all the peace and joy flying around, there are many for whom this time of year is a bit (or a lot) bleak.

Nonetheless, I also recognise that this is a time of confluence of significant days across a variety of faiths. Above all else, it is the moment when 2009 peters out and 2010 springs forth with all the uncertainty of the future.

So, I’ve been thinking about what thought I want to take with me from the old year to the new one, and I’ve been reminded of something a Chinese friend said to me a while back.

“Life is about walking forward,” he told me, “and there is no walking backward. But, even as you walk forward, remember to look behind you from time to time to recognise the mistakes and celebrate the achievements.

Look to your right side and see that you have family and that you were not born alone.

Some may be your birth family and others are special people that have joined you on your journey.

“Now, look to your left side and see the friends that may be even closer than family. They must be appreciated and treated with respect.

“No matter how strong and fast you walk, remember to look below you and see how many people there are that are not as lucky as you are. Be grateful for the possessions that you have that make your life easier. And then, look upwards and you will see that there are other people that have more success than you and have a better life. Make them your guide to achieve your ambition. But, no matter whether people are above you or below you, treat them always with equal respect and you will become both humble and wise.

For Your Diary December

17 International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers 23 Last day AIDS Action Council open for 2009 24 Christmas Eve 25 Christmas Day Public Holiday 26 Boxing Day Public Holiday 31 New Years Eve For lists of Community Christmas Parties, and service opening and closing times over the break, please visit the Citizens Advice Bureau website www.citizensadvice.org.au

January 1 New Years Day Public Holiday 4 AIDS Action Council opens again 21 Out There Workshop for guys under 26. 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Westlund House 26 Australia Day Public Holiday 28 Out There Workshop for guys under 26. 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Westlund House

February 4 Out There Workshop for guys under 26. 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Westlund House 11 Out There Workshop for guys under 26. 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Westlund House 14 Valentines Day 25 Legal Clinic 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Westlund House.

“Above all, always look forward the most because that is where you final destination lies. Keep walking forward and never stop because life is too short to waste with nothing.

And when you arrive, you will be content that your life has been fulfilled.”

I’m not big on making resolutions either – although I’m even worse at keeping them.

This year, however, I think I will be resolved to spend more time looking around me and recognising all those many people that make life such a pleasure. Before that, I’ll take one good look back at 2009 and be grateful for all the many, many people that have contributed so generously to our work here at Westlund House. Next year will be a busy one, but it will be fun because of the friends and family that make up the AIDS Action Council.

Happy holidays!!

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Dec 09- Jan 10 | 03

Christmas is coming

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t’s that time of the year again, the carols have started in the supermarket, the store catalogues are full of helpful suggestions about what presents to buy, and everyone’s talking parties and holidays. It seems that happiness and joy are mandatory, but it’s not necessarily what everyone is feeling.

If you are on a pension, or feeling unwell physically, if your medications are disagreeing with you, or you’re struggling with depression, or you’re living alone, then the chances are fairly high that the thought of Christmas will be making you anxious rather than happy. Christmas can in fact highlight the negatives in peoples’ lives; it can seem that everyone else is enjoying themselves when you are not.

If you are approaching Christmas with a feeling closer to dread than euphoria, - or even if you’re not – the following Christmas Survival Guide may help.

Plan ahead – think about what is possible and realistic for you to do, and put a plan in place to achieve it.

Christmas Contacts

•Concentrate on the things that you can do, rather than the things you can’t (e.g. a great alternative to buying gifts is making your own gift vouchers of your time to do something for friends and family).

•Remember that many other people also find Christmas difficult – share some time with someone else who you know is feeling stressed by it.

•Exercise every day – regular exercise lifts your mood, helps the digestion, gives you a better perspective on your problems, and helps you to sleep.

•Grab a friend and a candle and go to one of the many free carols concerts around town.

Remember that the main message of Christmas is goodwill and charity to others – and the wonderful thing about doing something for someone else is that you always feel better yourself!

Happy Christmas!

Stephanie

With the New Year just around the corner, Christmas must be waiting at the door.

As with most major public holidays and events, it is best to be prepared and have a couple of bits of information that may be of use to you at hand. Each year brings changes for most people with new feelings and directions to be taken into account.

But there are some things that cannot be planned for, so we have put together a few useful bits of information.

The AIDS Action Council will be closed from 5pm the 23rd of December until the 9am the 4th of January.

Canberra Sexual Health Clinic will be closed from the 23rd of December until 9am the 4th of January 2010. For emergencies please contact The Canberra Hospital on 6244 2222 or Calvary Hospital on 6201 6111 PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) Advice.

If the condom breaks, and you or your partner are at risk of HIV/AIDS transmission, contact either The Canberra Hospital on 6244 2222 or Calvary Hospital on 6201 6111 and ask for the emergency department. In NSW contact any emergency department of a hospital in the Greater Southern Area.

NB: Doctor in the emergency department may need to contact the ‘on call’ Infectious Diseases Physician for more information.

Forensic and Medical Sexual Assault Care is available 24 hours at any hospital.

Canberra Emergency Accommodation Service Crisis Line provides confidential 24 hour telephone counselling, information on emergency accommodation and referral for people who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless. Phone 6257 2333.

Citizens Advice Bureau provides up to date information and referral to all Canberra citizens and can be located on line at http:// www.citizensadvice.org.au or by phone on 6257 1687. Information is available on crisis services, free food providers (including free community Christmas lunches) and emergency contacts over the Christmas period.

Life Line. If you feel that you might need telephone counselling, you can call about anything that might be troubling you. If you feel you or someone you know may be at risk or just need someone to listen, call Lifeline now on 13 11 14.

If you are taking medication make sure you have enough for the Christmas – New Year period, GP’s and other services can also take holidays during this period.

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AIDS Action Council at SpringOut 2009

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his year the AIDS Action Council helped to take part in a number of the fabulous events held throughout SpringOut this year.

Of the non-AIDS Awareness Week activities, our greatest involvement was with the Westlund House SpringOut Fairday and the Pink Tennis Bushdance.

The Fairday, held on the laws circling Westlund House, was by far the biggest and best Fairday yet! With a record number of stalls, we had to start going around the building to fit everyone in.

New ideas were trialled, such as the later starting time, the kid’s treasure hunt and the Cube chill-out tent, and we have received very encouraging feedback about this. Due to technical difficulties the ice cream van wasn’t able to make it, but many people found solace in the fresh coffee or a cold drink from the Bears BBQ. Fairday also saw the exciting launch of our latest campaign for the community, Sex, I Condoms. This was the I first campaign in many years that has been developed from scratch by the

Council and we are very pleased with the outcome. We are very thankful to all the volunteers who helped with this, including the models JD, Sue, Leo and Morgan, the photographic skills and space of PhotoAccess and graphic design assistance from some of the Councils many valuable volunteers.

This campaign appears to have been very well received by the community, the very people it has been targeted at.

While the safe sex packs targeting the Lesbian community have been moving quite slowly compared to the smaller condom packs, we are very pleased with the speed that they have been moving.

Many people would have seen our packs at all the big events through SpringOut including Raunch at Cube, Fire and Ice at Hush, Bushdance and also the Purple Party. Thank you to all the organisers for these events for allowing us to display, distribute and also promote the campaign. Their support and ability to be so accommodating is vital to the

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AIDS Action Council’s response to HIV. Another thing that many of you would have seen around at many events and locations through SpringOut was the Gay Community Periodic Survey. This is a project conducted every three years by the AAC and National Centre for HIV Research, and it plays a huge part in the work that we do in the Council for gay men and MSM’s (men that have sex with men). This was kicked off at Fairday, conducted for a week out at the Mustang Ranch, for the whole month at Canberra Sexual Health Centre, Bushdance, and for the first time, over two consecutive Saturday nights at Cube. A huge thank you to the venues that allowed us to take up so much time and space to get this very important work done. The work done by our volunteer recruiters, doing a quite tedious, tiring and frustrating task, is always appreciated. Also, thank you to all the men who helped to fill out this survey. Each survey filled out provides us with a wealth of information about the community we work with and for.

Dec 09- Jan 10 | 05

The Annual General Meeting

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he 2009 Annual General Meeting was held on 28 October at the CSIRO Discovery Centre. This is the time of the year when the Council elects a new Board and this year there were also some changes made to the Constitution. Stepping down was 2008 – 2009 President Mr. Ross Wilson and Secretary/Treasurer Mr. David Benger. Acting President Scott Wilson thanked both for their contribution and this was acknowledged by the large audience.

recent relationship recognition. It was on this last point that Wayne presented his most challenging points, which were that the current heavy focus on relationship recognition risks neglect of many other issues that also need serious attention.

Amongst these are included violence and harassment, a dire need for antidiscrimination reform and urgent work around transgender communities. Wayne concluded by suggesting that a new radicalism is needed.

The AGM is also the traditional time for the Peter Rowland Address. This year, we were very fortunate to have Wayne Morgan from the ANU School of Law. Wayne presented an interesting and at times provocative look at gay and lesbian activism in Australia, and he asked (and answered) what has been achieved and where it is going now. He contrasted the radicalism of activists in the 70’s with the more conservative GLBTI politics of the 80’s and 90’s. With anecdotes and experience, Wayne presented the audience with a sometimes humorous account of campaigns ranging from decriminalisation to anti-discrimination protection to more

AAC also presented its annual awards. This year’s recipients are; The David Widdup Award for an outstanding contribution as a volunteer went to Jon Daniels. There were two Community Awards presented this year.

The first went to Robyn Soxsmith who runs the Dykes Movie night and the second went to Vanita Parekh in recognition of her sensitive and committed work with the sex worker community. The recipient of the Communication/Media Award was Abbey Jane. The Board was keen to recognise an outstanding year of communicating both within and outside the community

the range of issues that continue to confront people of gender diversity. The President’s Award is determined solely by the President of the Council, and Ross Wilson selected Lanyon High School as this year’s winner. Ross congratulated 9G Homegroup for their extensive involvement with the Council during the year, in which they studied the HIV epidemic and assisted AAC in a number of events.

Fabulous Memberships are bestowed on those who have advanced the work of the Council over a long period, and recognise the distinctive legacy that such longstanding service provides. Two life memberships were presented, with the first going to Dr Sarah Martin of Canberra Sexual Health. Sarah not only works with the Council across a broad range of issues, she remains an advocate and champion for the Council and is a true community asset. The second was presented to Mikey Wight, a former President and an ongoing committed and highly active volunteer.

Mikey contributed 3 years to the Board and has facilitated some of the Council’s most successful peer support workshops.

Reclaim the Night ‘09

By Lexxie Jury Every year, Reclaim the Night is held on the last Friday night in October. SWOP participated for the first time in 2008 and we were asked to participate again this year.

Reclaim the Night is about women making a stand about our right to feel safe from men and not fear going out at night.

Reclaim the Night is extremely empowering as we only have female 06 | Dec 09- Jan 10

performers and female speakers. After the speakers and performers we then went for a march around Civic. It was wonderful to see the number of people who joined in the march, with around 75 women taking to the streets with chants, drums and whistles drawing everyone’s attention.

Megan from the AAC and I were marshals during this part of the night. Our jobs were to ensure that every one stayed on the route. As we returned to www.aidsaction.org.au

Garema Place the band began to play and the large group of women sat and listened to the band.

The official festivities then moved on to Tilley’s Divine Café where women celebrated another successful call for women to feel safe.

The night was very empowering with women from all walks of life joining together to Reclaim the Night.

The 2009 – 2010 Board: strong understanding of the community sector; his previous position was Trainer of Telephone Counselling for Lifeline Canberra.

Scott Malcolm (President) first stood for election to the AAC Board in 2006 to give something back to the community. Scott brings a financial services background along with a strategic and people focus to his position on the AAC board.

“My focus and outcome for the AAC is to further engage with the community, especially with groups which we do not have strong access or engagement with to further bring the community together to focus on prevention, education and removal of discrimination around HIV and AIDS”

John Davey (Vice President), Mark Sulikowski, Scott Malcolm (President), Alex Hood, Alan Verhagen, Andrew Grimm (Secretary/Treasurer)

Board Profiles Andrew Grimm (Secretary/Treasurer) is a postgraduate student at the ANU and a trained lawyer. Andrew was first elected to the board in 2008 and in the past year has assisted in reviewing the Council’s constitution. At the AGM Andrew was elected to the position of Secretary/Treasurer, and in this role he looks forward to expanding his knowledge of the Council’s financial operations. Strategically, Andrew plans to ensure that the board assists the General Manager and staff of the Council in the development and implementation of innovative prevention strategies in relation to young gay men, and in the virtual social environment.

John Davey (Vice President) is the Principal Solicitor of Herm Legal and Migration Services

in Canberra and practices extensively in the area of law that impacts GLBTI communities.

As a Senior Legal Adviser to the Australian Democrats he has had extensive experience in local and Federal law reform campaigns for the GLBTI communities. John teaches part time at the Australian National University migration law program in Canberra and is also a registered Migration Agent.

Alan Verhagen has been a volunteer with the AIDS Action Council for 5 years. He started by working on the THROB line – hard to resist a name like that! Alan has experience in coordinating and evaluating health programs and currently works in Operational Mental Health Programs for the Department of Defence. He also has a

Alex Hood has been a member and active volunteer with AAC since 2001. He was the recipient of the David Widdup Award in 2002 and became a Fabulous Member 2004. As a Board member for the last 3 years, Alex brings considerable commitment and experience to the organisation’s strategic thinking. Alex has lived and worked in Canberra for over 12 years with the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

Mark Sulikowski has begun his second term on the Board of the Council. Mark is a specialist in public affairs and communications and is an active volunteer. Mark will bring significant expertise as the Board develops a more integrated and cohesive communication plan.

AIDS Awareness Week 2009

AIDS Awareness Week was kicked off this year with a burst of dancing and the intense beating of drums. Students from the Lanyon High School senior dance class performed a medley routine, which was fantastic, and all of them were matching as they wore the official AAW t-shirts. The local percussion group, Purrcussion, who helped usher in Fairday, did another fantastic job this time outside of the Legislative Assembly. These were performed after a short presentation and morning tea hosted by the AIDS Action Council inside the Legislative Assembly.

Other Events that happened during and around AIDS Awareness Week included:

•Launch of Dementia: Lesbians and Gay Men •World AIDS Day Community Breakfast at Westlund House •Interfaith Memorial Service •World AIDS Day at The Hush Lounge •Paint the Town Red party at The Kremlin Bar Thank you to everyone who organised an event, everyone who volunteered at a stall or event, and everyone who generously donated to the cause. All money raised this year, including from two WAD parties, will be donated to the Trevor Daley Fund, a fund that assists people in the ACT who are HIV positive.

•Red Ribbon boxes and stalls all around Canberra www.aidsaction.org.au

Dec 09- Jan 10 | 07

Diamonds Stories of Women from the Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV “Diamonds”, a DVD and booklet published by UNIFEM and APN+ challenges us to LISTEN to the concerns and priorities of HIV positive women.

As the world witnesses a sharp increase in the number of women with HIV, leaders like those telling their stories in this publication need to be heard. Coming from different socio-economic and personal contexts in the Asia Pacific Region, these women talk of the power dynamic in their relationship with men, weighted in favour of the latter. They speak of discrimination and violence that they endure rendering them vulnerable to HIV. Through their personal narratives, it is a frightening reminder that unless inequitous power equations, whether between men and women, adults and children, or in same sex relations are transformed into equal relationships marked by respect and dignity, HIV, especially its “feminine face”, will continue unabated.

Information adapted from Foreword, Dr. Jean D’Cunha Regional Program Director, UNIFEM, East & SE Asia Regional Office, Bangkok APN+ is the Asia Pacific Network of people living with HIV

Sex Worker Awareness Training

By Lexxie Jury

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WOP is very excited about a new workshop that we have been running in 2009. The workshop, Sex Worker Awareness Training is aimed at people who are not sex workers but through their work come in contact with sex workers. We have run the workshop twice this year for a modest fee to help cover costs.

The Sex Worker Awareness Training is held on a Friday afternoon in one of the brothels. Numbers are kept to no more than 14, mostly because of space issues. The workshop starts with a tour of two rooms within the brothel and then we run the group through a role play of a booking with a sex worker. This part of the workshop helps to bust many of the myths and

stereo typing that surrounds sex workers. This is followed by a myth busting game and question and answer time.

Every one who attends the training receives a SWOP badge to wear when with sex workers or in places they might work with sex workers, and a certificate of attendance. Due to the success of the workshops SWOP will be running more of these workshops in the New Year.

If you would like any more information about attending the training, including dates, costs and eligibility, please call on 6247 3443.

AIDS ACTION COUNCIL OF THE ACT

aidsaction.org.au

GPO Box 229 Canberra ACT 2601 T: 02 6257 2855 F: 02 6257 4838