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Landmark Study Proves Benefit Of Early HIV Treatment
We’ve known for some time that starting early treatment leads to better health outcomes and a lower risk of transmitting HIV, but the results of a major study confirm that deferring treatment may actually carry risks to the long term health of HIV positive people.
The key findings of the study are that treatment of HIV infection extends survival and prevents serious illness, including major cardiovascular events, cancer, renal and liver disease by more than 50% among those on treatment compared to those on deferred treatment.
Importantly, the study results confirm that there is no harm associated with immediate treatment either.
Find out more about the this important study
Community HIV Testing Helps Lift Testing Rates
Fantastic News! Our network of peer-led rapid HIV testing sites across Sydney and NSW have provided close to 4000 rapid HIV tests over the last two years, with 1000 of these tests being conducted at the new a[TEST] Oxford St site in Sydney in just the last three months.
Our community-based testing facilities are staffed by gay men and in places easily accessed by gay men, and offer free and fast HIV testing in a welcoming and culturally appropriate environment.
All this good news is backed up by the latest data from the NSW Ministry of Health showing that HIV testing has continued to increase both overall in NSW and among high risk populations – in fact 76% gay men in Sydney had an HIV test in the last 12 months, the highest figure since this data started being collected in 1996.
There has never been a better time to get tested. You can make a booking or just drop into a a[Test] site. If you are hesitant or worried, rest assured there’s lots of support there for you. And remember you’re not alone.
Find out how easy it is to get tested
Bingay Is Back – First Hilarious Show At The Shift 18 June!
Have you missed Bingay as much as we have? Well the wait is over – after a short hiatus, our popular fundraiser is back at The Shift, but will now be a monthly extravaganza rather than a weekly event.
Bingay took a break while The Shift was being renovated but now that the new look venue is up and running, Bingay’s ballsy fun is set to return to The Shift’s upstairs bar on the third Thursday of every month.
Every monthly event will also have a fabulously flamboyant theme, with the first one on June 18 being a winter wonderland spectacular – think Frozen meets Mardi Gras! There’ll be snow stopping the fun with camp wintery decorations, cool outfits and special frosty treats.
Bingay hostess Charisma Belle will continue to oversee the madcap proceedings and Bingay’s long time barrel babe Naomi Palmer will continue to spin the balls and sing up a storm.
So whether you’re a regular or a novice, or a local or visitor to Sydney, if you’re up for a wonderfully camp mid-week entertainment experience, then you can’t go wrong with Bingay.
Tickets: http://acon.nationbuilder.com/bingay_bookings.
Current Workshops
Arse Class
Explore ways to look after your arse, how to have fun with your arse and someone else’s, the anatomy of arses, plus loads of tips on anal sex and sexual health.
Duration: 6 sessions
Where: ACON SydneyWhen: This workshop runs over six weeks, every Thursday from 6:30pm – 9pm, starting Thursday 11 June.
Find out more about the Arse Class
New Workshop To Help Young LGBTI People Tell Their Story – Get in Quick!
A new series of workshops is set to help young LGBTI people use multimedia to create digital stories around health-related topics.
The Tell Your Story project has been developed by ACON in collaboration with Thinkspace at the Powerhouse Museum. Applications for workshops are now open and close on Friday 5 June.
What: Tell Your Story workshop
When: 1-5 pm every Saturday, running for 5 weeks (13 June – 11 July) with an intake night on Thu 11 June.
Where: Thinkspace at the Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris St, Ultimo.
If you would be interested in learning some new skills and have a story to tell, email youth@acon.org.au to find out more.
