ACSA, Hot News






What is HOT NEWS?
HOT NEWS was last updated on 1 July, 2009

	‘Bingay’ Makes Big Money for RRBGF! You might have noticed that during this year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival one of the most successful shows to be held over the two weeks of the festival was ‘Bingay’, hosted by the infamous Mitzi! The AIDS Council in conjunction with the Cabaret Festival worked together to ensure the proceeds from two of the shows went to the RRBGF fund for people living with HIV/AIDS and we are delighted to announce that the total funds raised for the RRBGF was a whopping $11,758. Thank you to our volunteers- Belinda Lock, Michelle Spudic, Jane Bird, Michael Jarmyn and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence who helped out on the Bingay nights, and to Steven Dewhirst who sourced the prizes from sponsors. (posted 1/7/09)

	Welcome to the June edition of ACSA Update: our monthly e-news. Update is designed to keep our community members, stakeholders and other interested parties informed of the advocacy and policy development work of ACSA. Each month we will provide our readers with up to date information on publications, resources, emerging issues and events… Click on the link to read. (posted 1/7/09)

	Take the PASH Study NOW! The Pleasure and Sexual Health study (PASH) is in full swing across Australia. We are looking for men who have sex with men to take part in an online survey dealing with all things sexual. The survey takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. It is anonymous and totally confidential. PASH are also seeking out men who would be willing to share their experiences further in a one on one interview. Although the interview is recorded, identifying comments such as names and places are removed. The tapes are also destroyed after the information has been transcribed. Of particular interest are men who have recently seroconverted (in the last two years) although this time frame is not absolute. If infection has occurred outside of the aforementioned two years, participation is still very much valued. The face to face interview takes about 60 minutes, and it is held in a relaxed atmosphere with a skilful and practised interviewer. Many men (myself included), have found the experience to be liberating, and the opportunity presented an avenue to talk about events and feelings that had previously not been discussed. So if you’re a man who has sex with other men, please take the time to complete the survey…and tell your friends! It can be found at: http://www.pash-study.net (posted 17/6/09)

	A Message from one of our readers in response to the ‘Share My Secret… Pass It On” video article (see below). “Well I think this is just great! Well done to all involved in its concept, design and production. It's so important for these young people, kids, to not live a life of secrets. I get they 'don't want sympathy' because I work in and live with disability and we're the same. Having said that I wanted to choke up at the 'I'll never feel a hug from a mother'...but maybe that's because of the people I met who had HIV and AIDS in the late 80's- early 90's, and became friends with, and then lost. In those days having HIV/AIDS was a brutal and swift life into desperate illness and lives were cut very short. These young people have the benefit of new and effective drugs. To those young people with HIV/AIDS I say, “You guys will have long lives, so get out there and get into it. Don't bear the weight of discriminatory attitude and hide away, share your secret so it doesn’t remain yours alone. I worked in this area 20years ago and had the benefit of developing a support group of both men and women who taught me heaps about HIV/AIDS. In those days, Mount Barker (SA) had 10% of the states population with HIV/AIDS - that in itself broke the myths about it being a ‘city disease’! This should have a place in all schools, colleges and unis. It's great; it's something to share around and pass-on!” Thank you for your feedback… we love hearing it! (posted 1/7/09)

	Mass Eye Screenings Could Rule Out Need For Blood Tests A WA-developed eye scanner that can detect HIV/AIDS could become a major screening tool for the life-threatening disease, carried unknown by millions in Third World countries… (posted 1/7/09)

	Video - Share My Secret… Pass It On A powerful new video about young Australians living with HIV. Click on the link to check it out (Thanks to the Youth Network Blog!). (posted 24/6/09)

	Community Forum About Changes in the HIV Sector As you may be aware there will be changes to the way services are provided to the HIV positive community in the next financial year. PLWHA will be holding a community forum on the 27th June 2009 to present information on some of these changes and how HIV Positive Community Members will be affected. Where: Way Hall, Uniting Care Wesley, Pitt Street, Adelaide When: Saturday, June 27 Time: 12:30pm – 3:30pm Please see flyer for more details. (posted 17/6/09)

	Home Grown! - Feast announces theme for 2009 and opens registrations Over the last thirteen years Feast has grown into a leading Australian festival celebrating diverse sexualities and genders. One of Feast’s strengths is exploring, nourishing and celebrating our diverse community. In 2009 Feast will showcase home grown talent to as wide an audience as possible. Feast will explore home grown stories in the performing arts, film, literature, visual arts and more. Feasts own productions will tell tales from the heart of our city by sharing diverse stories and situations that the local GLBTIQ people find themselves in throughout the course of our everyday life. Feast 2009 will feature ground breaking new artistic work, flourishing works in progress, legendary artists plus a series of community cultural development projects nourishing the wealth of home grown talent in our city. Add the diversity of community events Feast is famous for and you have the recipe for a Home grown Feast. Feasts own home grown journey will play a part in this year’s festival with the growth of the Feast Team. After a thriving and fruitful journey with Daniel Clarke another chapter starts in Feasts own Home Grown story with Creative Producer, Kerry Ireland tilling the soil. Feast is excited to open the Event Registrations for 2009 and looks forward to a wide range of registered events responding to this year’s theme. You may be inspired by the notion of Home Grown however registered events should not feel restricted by Feast’s theme, Feast is an open access Festival. Feast invites you to be part of all the fun. If you are organising an event then now is the time to register. We encourage all types of events, from a dance party to a dinner party, a music gig to an art exhibition, a dance piece to a play or even a sporting event. Click on the link to be taken to the registration page. (posted 1/7/09)

	Latest Copy of the Bfriend Newsletter OUT NOW! The latest edition of the Bfriend Newsletter is out now and can be accessed by clicking on the link here. This latest newsletter details the success of the training Bfriend facilitated for IDAHO 09 and the upcoming second round of training, Bfriend’s trip to Mt. Gambier and all the volunteer news! It is also with sadness that we farewell Karen and the Trans Project at Bfriend and thank Karen for all her hard work, energy and dedication she brought to her role at Bfriend. Good luck in your next pursuit Karen, from all at GMH and ACSA. (posted 1/7/09)

	News and calendar from… Lemons On The Loose! Come along to our fab get togethers out north… here is the info you will need! all planned evenings are subject to change at any time! generally - we meet every 2nd and 4th Wed of each month (except school holidays) from 7pm to 9pm at rear of Playford Comm Health Centre, 50 Peachey Rd., Davoren Pk. (turn along Marden St., and then turn right into Hambridge Rd., then into room at back of small parking area). Lemons mobile: 0410 925 537 (text or call only - no voice messages please). We don't have childcare available. BYO supper please (nibbles and drinks). Any enquiries please email us at: lemonsontheloose@hotmail.com We are looking for a volunteer to pick up the key and open up - if you can help please let us know. Guys Out North Quiz Night… Come along to Elizabeth Football Club (Argana Park) this Saturday for a night of quizzing and revelry including prizes, a door prize and much more. Bar facilities available, and bring some nibbles along! Call Lee to book your ticket on 0401 354 352. (posted 24/6/09)

	Guys Out North Quiz Night Come along to Elizabeth Football Club (Argana Park) this Saturday for a night of quizzing and revelry including prizes, a door prize and much more. Bar facilities available, and bring some nibbles along! Where: Elizabeth Football Club (Argana Park), Midway Road, Elizabeth Downs When: Saturday, July 18 Time: 7:00pm Cost: $10 per person Call Lee to book your ticket on 0401 354 352. (posted 17/6/09)

	Queer-friendly Church Service… giving thanks for equality A special church service to give thanks for the new Equality legislation will be held at Clayton-Wesley Uniting Church in the coming weeks. This will be a service of great celebration! Where: Clayton-Wesley Uniting Church, Norwood (at the top of the parade) When: Sunday 5th July Time: 5.00pm All welcome, irrespective of religious affiliation or denomination (or sexuality!!). Arranged by gay/lesbian support groups in the Uniting Church. (posted 17/6/09)

	Beyondblue 'abandons gay youth' AUSTRALIA'S national depression charity has abandoned the gay community and ignored its high rates of suicide, self-harm and mental illness, lobby groups have claimed… (posted 1/7/09)

	'I couldn't tell anyone' For young people grappling with their sexuality, support can mean the difference between life and death… (posted 1/7/09)

	Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young introduces gay marriage bill SAME-SEX couples will be allowed to marry if a Bill introduced in the Federal Parliament is passed… (posted 1/7/09)

	Bizarre Gay Exorcism: Church Casts “Homosexual Demons” from Boy It is almost too bizarre and disturbing to know that this sort of thing goes on in North America in modern times. A Connecticut Church, Manifested Glory Ministries, posted a video on Youtube of what can only be described as a gay exorcism. The video drew massive outrage on the site and was quickly removed, but not before someone recorded a partial copy… (posted 1/7/09)

	Surrogacy and gay dads When it comes to having kids, gay and lesbian couples face a few obvious logistical problems over and above the sheer drama of bringing them up. We caught up with gay couple Matt and Martin who gave the lowdown on their chosen path to parenthood… (posted 24/6/09)

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