A new, cheeky and engaging video featuring one of Sydney’s drag icons has been released to coincide with NSW HIV Testing Week, aimed at encouraging gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men to test for HIV and sexually transmissible infections (STIs).

The video from ACON, NSW’s leading HIV prevention, support and LGBTI health organisation, features Sydney-favourite drag queen and community leader Maxi Shield, and follows her high-camp journey through a sexual health check-up at a[TEST] Oxford St, the state’s most popular community-based testing centre for gay men.

Created to help promote a revamp of one of ACON’s most successful testing campaigns – Easy As/Know Now – that encouraged men to test more often, the video provides viewers with an insight into a[TEST] Oxford Street and answers questions about what the service looks like,  and the testing process itself.

“Over the last few years we’ve seen an affirming increase in the rates and frequency of testing by men across our communities. While it is great that gay men are testing more often, there are always opportunities to build on this, and ACON will continue to work with our communities to make sure testing remains easy and accessible, and a routine part of our lives,” ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill said.

ACON’s a[TEST] Oxford Street, as well as sites in Newtown, Surry Hills and Kings Cross, have proved popular with gay and men who have sex with men due to their ease of use and community-based setting where clients are tested by their peers, along with being a fast, confidential and free service that requires no Medicare card.

Maxi Shield was chosen to star in the video not only due to being a tremendously talented performer and easily identifiable figure on the Sydney scene, but also because of her position as a community leader and Oxford Street Safety Ambassador.

“Speaking from a community perspective, it is so vital to have a community clinic right in the heart of not only Oxford Street, but other areas where our community lives. Being able to walk in and talk with someone just like you is a very reassuring experience, and one that can put men at ease who are not quite sure about the testing process,” Shields said.

NSW HIV Testing Week runs from June 1 – 7 and offers a great opportunity to encourage not only gay men, but the wider population to get tested and answer the call to help end HIV.

“Once people know their HIV status, they can take action to improve their health outcomes and prevent passing on HIV and many other STIs. We’re encouraging all gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in NSW to book a test at an a[TEST] location, or other testing sites across NSW, because these days it’s easy as to get tested and help end HIV,” Mr Parkhill said.

To watch the video, click here.

To book an appointment at an a[TEST] site, visit www.atest.org.au

For more information on a[TEST] and other testing locations throughout NSW, visit www.endinghiv.org.au

ENDS

For more information please contact:

David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications Officer

E: dalexander@acon.org.au   T: +61 (02) 9206 2044   M: +61 (0)428 477 042