Thursday, September 02, 2010
   
Text Size

Search This Site / Web


Follow us on Twitter      Subscribe in a reader

Gay UK News To Your Email

Your email: 

Latest Top Ten MP3

Health

Warning Over New Chlamydia Threat

NewsHIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust is launching an information booklet to warn gay and bisexual men of an aggressive form of chlamydia that is becoming increasingly widespread within the gay community.

LGV (lymphogranuloma venereum) is a serious sexually transmitted infection (STI) that attacks the lymph nodes. It has been spreading among gay and bisexual men since arriving in the UK around 2004. In 2009, 193 men were diagnosed with the infection and, in the first six months of 2010 alone, 190 men have been diagnosed, many of whom also have HIV.

The majority of men infected with LGV develop symptoms within a few weeks, and nearly all have been infected rectally. Symptoms can include bleeding and discharge from the rectum, painful inflammation (called ‘proctitis’), and painful anal abscesses or ulcers. Left untreated, LGV can cause lasting damage. The inside of the rectum can become so seriously affected it might require surgery.

Read more: Warning Over New Chlamydia Threat

 

Free Chlamydia Testing at Pride London

UrineIn a bid to reduce levels of the sexually transmitted infection (STI) chlamydia among young LGBT people in London, HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust will be inviting young people attending this year’s Pride London to take a chlamydia test during their day out. THT staff will be offering the tests free of charge throughout Saturday 3 July from the charity’s stand at Trafalgar Square.

Testing is a very simple process; young people are given a sample pot and asked to discreetly provide a urine sample in the nearest public toilet or portaloo. Samples will then be collected and posted off to the lab, with the results available within a week. Those who test positive will be directed to health services where they can obtain treatment for the infection free of charge. THT staff will also hand out condoms and safer sex information from the charity’s stand at the event.

Read more: Free Chlamydia Testing at Pride London

   

Crusaid and Terrence Higgins Trust to Merge


Crusaid and Terrence Higgins Trust to mergeCrusaid, one of the UK’s best-known HIV charities and leading HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust have today announced their merger. The merged organisation aims to preserve a much-needed safety-net for people with HIV living in poverty and strengthen fundraising for HIV in the UK.

Jordan Hay, Chief Executive of Crusaid, said: “We initiated this merger to ensure that our hardship fund can continue to make a vital difference to the ever-increasing numbers of people diagnosed with HIV each year in the UK. THT shares our vision and values and we are excited about the opportunities to support people with HIV that this merger presents.”

Sir Nick Partridge, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust said: “I’m delighted to confirm that Crusaid and Terrence Higgins Trust have merged. The merger will preserve the Crusaid Hardship Fund in a very challenging economic climate and help ensure that people with HIV have the ongoing support that they so vitally need.

Read more: Crusaid and Terrence Higgins Trust to Merge

   

Raising Awareness of Breast Cancer in Lesbian Women

De MontfortAn event to raise awareness about breast cancer in lesbian and bisexual women is due to take place on the 19 May.

The event will launch a report by Dr Julie Fish from De Montfort University (DMU), who investigated the experiences and attitudes of lesbian and bisexual women with breast cancer.

The research discovered that lesbian and bisexual women are not getting the information and support they need and many felt existing cancer support groups were not accessible to them; often feeling excluded by topics of conversation or the environment. Participants also stated that they often felt uncomfortable and embarrassed when dealing with GPs and hospital staff.

The report was funded by the NHS National Cancer Action Team in order to look at how cancer inequalities can be tackled. The issue was highlighted as a key priority in the NHS Cancer Reform Strategy.

Read more: Raising Awareness of Breast Cancer in Lesbian Women

   

World Cup Sex Risk for Sports Fans who Drink too Much

World Cup Sex Risk for Sports Fans who Drink too MuchResearch conducted by HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) reveals that sports fans could be putting their sexual health at risk this World Cup, with nearly one in ten 18-34 year-olds in the UK drinking so much while watching sporting events, in person or on TV, that they can’t remember what they did afterwards.

In response to this, Terrence Higgins Trust has published its online guide, ‘Scoring without getting an own goal’, to give sports fans top tips for safer post-match action, without a red and itchy card, this summer. Log on to www.tht.org.uk/worldcup to find out how to get match fit, make the perfect sliding tackle and substitute in style.

Terrence Higgins Trust’s spokeswoman Genevieve Edwards said: “If people are getting so drunk they can’t remember what they did the night before, it’s more than likely protected sex and condoms won’t have been top of their priority list.

Read more: World Cup Sex Risk for Sports Fans who Drink too Much

   

New Guide on Supporting Young Gay People

guide on supporting young gay peopleStonewall has released a guide which gives advice to youth and education staff on how to support lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) young people.

It’s aimed at everyone who works with young people and who wants to enable LGB young people to grow and learn in a safe and supportive environment where they can be themselves.

The guide – the second in a new series of education guides on different specific aspects of tackling homophobic bullying – contains practical recommendations about how to show LGB young people that they can be themselves. It also includes real life experiences of gay young people and case studies from schools and youth projects.

Read more: New Guide on Supporting Young Gay People

   

Page 1 of 16

Gay UK News on Facebook

Who Said What?

Gay UK News Widget