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staying sexually healthy
One of the issues that people talk about most often
when accessing Mesmac’s 1 hour HIV testing service
is a worry about their risk from other sexually
transmitted infections (STI’s).
Although Mesmac only test for HIV,
they do offer information about
local sexual health clinics that
provide a full range of services
- including STI testing. In fact, the
second most consistently popular
page on their website is the sexual
health clinics page.
This suggests that either there
are a lot of people out there who
are at some sort of risk, or a lot
of people who are keen to keep
in good sexual health and are
simply looking into getting tested
regularly.
The latter of course would be fantastic
news as Mesmac recommends
testing with every change
of regular partner - and encourages
both partners to be tested at
the same time.
STI’s can be treated when they
are detected but if left, they can
seriously damage your health - so
regular checkups are important.
The sexual health clinic page on
Mesmac’s site has addresses,
contact numbers, opening times
and photographs of each clinic to
make them easier to find.
Many clinics now operate a dropin
service so you don’t always
need to make an appointment. But
it’s always best to check first as
some operate a queue and wait,
first come first served system.
6
Examinations are always done in
a dignified manner. Any examinations
and sample collections
are done in much less invasive
ways than they were in the past
- or than you may have heard
rumours about. Some tests can
even be done using a urine sample
or from your own swabs.
Clinics can also prescribe and
advise about treatments, give
Hepatitis B vaccinations and offer
condoms - all free of charge.
And test results can be sent to
service users by text message
for convenience.
For those worried about privacy,
Mesmac offer confidentiality across
all their services. Policies at clinics
are also extremely strict.
For more information on gay and
bisexual men’s sexual health visit
www.mesmacnortheast.com
For lesbian and bisexual women’s
sexual health information visit
www.lesbisexyandhealthy.co.uk
If you don’t have internet access,
call Mesmac on 0191 233 1333, or
drop in to their offices in central
Newcastle where you can pick up
leaflets or talk to one of the workers.
They can also post leaflets if
you have transport issues. n
northeast / issue 29 / outnortheast.com
‘power talking’ for men
Do you want to improve your communication skills -
including negotiating the sex you want? GMFA’s ‘Power
Talking’ course returns to Newcastle to give gay men
communication skills for life.
GMFA, the gay men’s health
charity, has just announced the
return of their popular workshop,
‘Power Talking’. It will be delivered
early next year by GMFA’s CHAPS
partners in 11 cities across the UK.
This two-day course will give you
the skills to communicate with
clarity and confidence. It will help
you talk to people about all areas
of your life, including your sex life.
It will give you the power to ask
for what you want and say ‘no’ to
things you don’t.
The course gives hundreds
of gay men the opportunity to
become happier, more confident
communicators. One participant
told GMFA, “I feel more selfconfident
and my self-esteem has
gone a couple of notches higher”.
The course takes a look
at the different ways that
communication skills can affect
our lives. In a relaxed and friendly
group setting, you’ll learn about
building your skills in effective
communication in a variety of
situations - with friends, at work
and with sexual partners.
Matthew Hodson, Head of
Programmes at GMFA, said “Not
everyone has the confidence to
ask for what they want, and many
people struggle to say no, for fear
of offending people. Often these
difficulties are exacerbated when
it comes to sex. Good communication
skills can have a huge impact
on our lives. Men with the ability
and confidence to communicate
effectively are more likely to successfully
negotiate the sex they
want. Lacking the confidence to
say ‘no’ to the sex we don’t want
can lead to men putting themselves
or their sexual partners
at risk. This course gives men
the skills to voice their needs and
desires in all areas of their lives.”
In February 2012, the ‘Power
Talking’ course will be run by
trainers from local gay charities
and healthcare services across
England. GMFA’s CHAPs partner
in Newcastle is Mesmac North
East, which is where the regional
workshops will be held.
The ‘Power Talking’ course takes
place on two consecutive Saturdays
- 18 and 25 February 2012
- from 10:30am to 5:30pm. BSL
interpreters can be arranged prior
to the course, so make sure you
ask if you need one.
All of GMFA’s courses and
workshops are free of charge,
but places are limited and must
be booked in advance. To book a
place, go to www.gmfa.org.uk/
national or call 020 7738 3712. n