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World AIDS Day 2013

By LifeNo Comments
World Aids Day HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus which attacks the body’s immune system — the body’s defence against diseases. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the final stage where the immune system being depleted of its cells by HIV. Once enough of the immune system cells have been destroyed by HIV, the body is not capable of fighting off other bacteria and viruses as easily, particularly opportunistic infections. Infections like pneumonia are usually the cause of death for someone who has HIV/AIDS’.

HIV is passed on through infected bodily fluids, most commonly via sex without a condom or by sharing infected needles, syringes or other injecting drug equipment. Only 1% of mothers with HIV give birth to HIV positive babies.

Did you know that around 100,000 are currently living with HIV in the UK and that 1 in 5 don’t know they’ve got it? World AIDS Day is all about raising awareness about HIV/AIDS.

So do one simple thing for World AIDS Day, take this HIV Awareness Quiz.

I scored 9 out of 12:
HIV-aware-quiz-result

Blog soon,

Antony

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Sunday 1 December 2013

No Excuse Not to Use a Condom – TheGayUK launches Project that sends FREE Condoms through the post

By Gay, Health4 Comments
the-gay-uk-logo The Gay UK has recently launched it’s ‘No Excuses Project’ which aims to make sure that gay men never have any excuse not to use a condom. They’ve teamed up with NHS Freedom’s Shop to have condoms delivered to your door, through the post for free.

Here’s what Jake Hook, The Gay UK‘s had to say about the project:
“I was watching Channel 4’s The Sex Clinic and it occurred to me that somehow we’re being failed as a community in relation to sex health education. With cuts to vital services and the upward trend of new HIV infections in the UK, either people aren’t freely able to access condoms or don’t know that they can dramatically make the sex you have safer.

“The day after the programme, I rang Katy Harrad at The Freedoms Shop and asked whether Freedoms would be able to help us out with condoms, luckily for us, she’s just as passionate about safer sex as we are.

“We’re working towards making sure that there is No Excuse – ever – not to have a condom in your home or pocket.”

Graham & Jake Co-Founders of The Gay UK

Graham & Jake Co-Founders of The Gay UK

Generally gay pubs & clubs are good at giving out or having available free safe sex packs – but that’s only useful if you live close the venues. Sexual health clinics are also a good source of free condoms, but this relies on having the confidence to step through the door.

So this idea of having condoms delivered to your door, discreetly packaged and for free is a brilliant idea. The Gay UK have already got celebrity backing from stand-up comedian Pam Ann, who is reported to have said: “If it’s NOT ON… it’s NOT ON!” They’ve been to as many Pride Festivals as they can promoting the campaign including: Oxford, Edinburgh, Reading, North Wales, Gloucester, Warwickshire and Doncaster.

no-excuse-project-logo You can learn more about the ‘No Excuses Project’ and get your FREE condoms here: www.noexcuseproject.co.uk.

I’m so glad The Gay UK set up this sexual health campaign. I’m proud to write for and be involved with The Gay UK; a free gay online magazine which has an ever-growing readership and is already a huge success.

Take care & be safe,

Antony

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Monday 26 August 2013

A New Blog

By The WebNo Comments

Hi all,

I’ve recently discovered through Twitter a new blog. It’s called UK Positive Lad. It’s a guy called Sam who’s in his twenties and is HIV+. He blogs about his own experience of being gay, in his twenties and the impact HIV has on his life. He also aims to educate about HIV. I’m warming to Sam through his blog and posts on Twitter and look forward to reading more.

So grab a cuppa and go and have a read.

Write soon,

Antony

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Sunday 26 February 2012

Pride

By GayNo Comments

Pride has been a good weekend. I got to march in the parade under Peter Tatchell’s community entry.

I do think a lot of the gay community have forgot what it used to be like to be gay and what pride is suppose to be about. 10 Years ago there were no gay people in the media and we had significantly less rights. Less rights included Section 28 being law, sexual consent age 18 and no rights to marry (no society recognition of our relationships therefore meaning no legal recognition of our relationships). We also had label of HIV being a gay disease and lost many of our friends to this hidden disease.

And as if this wasn’t enough there was a lack of tolerence and respect for diversity. It was a hetrosexual world with many gay, lesbian and bisexual people experiencing homophobia and sometimes even hate crimes. We often felt isolated and those who were brave enough to come out of their closet were often made homeless. There was one gay pub now on Manchester’s highly populated gay village (the New Union), it required a secret knock to gain entry and was regularly raided by the police.

We have come along way, but are still fighting for true equality and to change some people’s values. Some people still believe it’s a “choice” and that according to their religion or moral values it’s “wrong” or “unnatural” (god I hate that phrase – homosexuality has been seen in almost every animal species, so how can it be unnatural?). There are even people who turn their views in to physical violence towards homosexuals.

Yes pride is a celebration of how far we’ve come (and gays know how to throw a party!), but we must not forget that we still have to keep the aim of true equality.

Take Care,

Antony x

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Sunday 30 August 2009
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