RESULTS OF THE LATEST MAN 2 MAN OPINION POLL REVEALED. - ARE YOU HAVING SEXUAL HEALTH CHECKS?

During January to late February 2012 M2MTAS conducted an opinion poll to gain some insight into the custom and practice by the readership when it comes to regular or routine sexual health checks.

As a general rule sexual health checks for the sexually a active male should be undertaken at least annual.  However those men who have more sexual partners, frequent and adventurous sexual encounters or those with HIV it’s suggested that a sexual health check is undertaken every 3 – 6 months.

The data from our opinion poll seems to indicate that only about 25% of those completing the poll are conforming to the recommended frequency with some 41% of participants having never had a sexual health check.

For more information on the findings of the opinion poll plus information on where to get a sexual health check and what is invovled CLICK HERE:

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The nudity of Michaelangelo's David offensive?

A HOBART City Council committee has voted in favour of public artworks marking the 1988 arrest of gay rights activists, despite opposition by a church group.
The council committed $15,000 for the interpretive artwork four years ago as part of an apology to the gay community for the council's actions that led to the arrests of activists at Salamanca Market.
The proposed artworks would be enclosed in two permanent light boxes in the footpath adjacent to Parliament House.
Last night the council's Development and Environmental Services Committee unanimously recommended approval, despite submissions by members of the Presbyterian Church of Tasmania.

Church pastor Campbell Markham told the committee the artworks were political and would "divide the community".
His comments were rejected by committee members including Alderman Jeff Briscoe who said the nudity of Michaelangelo's David was likely to cause more offence.
 
The proposal will be considered by the full council on Monday.

To read more CLICK HERE:

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Update on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 8:23AM by man2man

COUNCIL SIGNS OFF ON GAY ART

A PUBLIC art installation honouring Tasmanian gay rights activists will go ahead, after Hobart City Council approved plans last night.

The council committed $15,000 for the artwork four years ago as an apology to the gay community for the council's actions that led to the arrests of activists at Salamanca Market in 1988.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson Rodney Croome applauded the council's decision
 
The Presbyterian Church of Tasmania lobbied against the artwork, saying it would be "divisive". Councillors rejected concerns this at last week's Development and Environmental Services Committee meeting.  The Presbyterian Church is planning to appeal the decision

Last night, Alderman John Freeman was the only councillor to vote against the work.

To read the full article CLICK HERE:

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Start talking about HIV treatment: new campaign launched

NAPWA (National Association for People Living with HIV/AIDS has begun an innovative national HIV treatment awareness campaign early May 2012.
 
Ita Buttrose launched NAPWA's new campaign, 'Start the Conversation Today' on Friday 4 May. The campaign urges people living with HIV to get up to date with important new information about the benefits of HIV treatment for themselves and their partners. Many people with HIV are likely to be unaware of these advances.

NAPWA believes that new scientific understandings regarding the benefits of HIV treatments for people living with HIV and their partners is compelling information for our constituents. Decisions about HIV treatments are first and foremost decisions made by people living with HIV about their own health management.

Access to up-to-date information about HIV treatments, professional advice from HIV specialist doctors and support from partners, friends and community HIV organisations can help PLHIV in determining whether and when treatments should be initiated.  

The release of the campaign is linked to NAPWA’s recent work advocating for the adoption of national HIV treatment and prevention targets and our goal to mobilise the community to reach higher treatment maintenance targets to achieve better health outcomes across the PLHIV population.

The national campaign launch includes national print media placements across several weekend media publications, to complement the existing billboard placements, campaign website and other material now released.

For more about the campaign CLICK HERE:

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PRAISE FOR TAS GOV AS IT PRIORITISES GLBTI SUICIDE PREVENTION

Tasmanian gay rights advocates have welcomed the Tasmanian Government decision to give a high priority to reducing levels of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender suicide.

In a statement released today the Government has listed the development of a suicide prevention action plan for Tasmania's gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) communities as the second of six priority areas for the Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy.

Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson, Rodney Croome, said,

"GLBTI people are four to six times more likely to commit suicide because of the discrimination and prejudice they face, and we are very pleased the Government is taking the problem seriously", Mr Croome said.

"We know from international research that generic suicide prevention programs are less effective than targetted ones when it comes to reducing levels of GLBTI suicide."

"We look forward to working with the Government to ensure all GLBTI Tasmanians feel safe, included and respected enough for suicide not to be an option."

For a copy of the Government media statement CLICK HERE:

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beyondblue launches the results of the online consultation with members of the GLBTI communities

On May 3 2012  The Hon. Jeff Kennett AC, beyondblue Chairman, launched the results of the online consultation beyondblue conducted with members of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex (GLBTI) communities and a position statement on depression and anxiety in GLBTI populations. The two documents were launched during a joint 3AW /Joy 94.9 broadcast on depression, anxiety and young GLBTI people, hosted by Neil Mitchell and David McCarthy

The interview was followed with a Media release from beyondblue's CEO Kate Carnell AO says research shows around one-third of Australians
discriminate against gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and intersex (GLBTI) people and it’s time it
stopped.


“As a nation, we should be very concerned that the actions of so many Australians are contributing
to significant levels of depression and anxiety – and even suicide - amongst GLBTI people. It’s
essential that people who continue to discriminate realise their actions are causing real harm.
“This is why beyondblue, with the Movember Foundation, has committed $3 million to reduce
discrimination and promote better mental health outcomes for people in the GLBTI community.
“$1.5 million has been allocated to develop a national awareness and anti-discrimination media
campaign which will be launched in a few months,”

beyondblue celebrates diversity and promotes social inclusion throughout its programs, research and resources. beyondblue is committed to working with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, ¹Trans and Intersex (GLBTI) populations. The majority of same- and both-sex attracted, sex- and/or gender- diverse people lead happy, healthy, fulfilling lives. However discrimination towards GLBTI people continues to occur in Australia, which is damaging. Australian, and international research, shows that prejudice and discrimination are major contributors to the development of depression, anxiety and related disorders among GLBTI people. beyondblue is committed to raising awareness about these issues and helping to reduce the discrimination faced by GLBTI populations.

To read the full article and find out more about beyondblue CLICK HERE:

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