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A new health crisis for gay men?There is increasing evidence that the behaviourof some gay men on the commercialscene is beginning to change as theybecome more prone to taking seriousrisks with recreational drugs and theirhealth.At present most of the limited evidence isfrom London but from previous experience,behaviour that starts in London canquickly spread to other parts of the country;and one can argue that if it’s a Londonproblem it’s a national problem - as somany gay men from around the countrygo to London to go clubbing and attendsex parties. So serious has the situation becomethat last month the National AidsTrust wrote to London councils calling foraction to address the recent and rapid risein the use of the drugs crystal meth (pictured),mephedrone and GHB on London’sscene particularly in the context ofhigh-risk sex.There is one specialist drugs agency in Londonthat works with the LGBT communityand they say that these three drugs accountfor 85% of all their service users. Thiscompares with 8% of presentations in2005. Most worryingly, the number of crystalmeth and mephedrone users injectingthe drug has increased from 20% in 2011to 80% in 2012 - a massive change in behaviourin a very short period of time.70% of those injecting reported sharingneedles and 70% of the men involved areHIV positive - and the vast majority reportedtaking these drugs to facilitate sex.There is now a direct correlation betweenunsafe drug-taking and unsafe sex. To illustratethis the LGBT drug agency now takes80% of its referrals from sexual health clinics.Their evidence is backed up by Soho’smain sexual health clinic and the Chelseaand Westminster Hospital club drug clinic.This is not just young, gay men who havenot heard the important health messages:many of the them are in their 30s, 40s and50s and very experienced on the sceneand have changed to these drugs fromother substances.Drug treatment, HIV prevention and sexualhealth services are now all managed by thepublic health section of local authorities, sothere’s opportunity to develop services thatrecognise the multiple health issues that aminority of gay men now have. Howeverdrug services will have to change the waythey work. They have traditionally workedwith opiate users and opiate use suppressesthe sex drive. Gay men have reporteddrug workers being embarrassed oruncomfortable at the overt sexualisation ofthis drug use.In a local twist last month two men weregiven substantial prison sentences for runninga crystal meth factory in Dewsbury.The police said that this was the first suchfactory in our region, and we have to askwho they were planning to manufacturethese drugs for.Meanwhile readers should remember thatthese drugs have a long term detrimentalimpact on your physical and mental healthand if you are HIV positive will impact onyour ability to maintain a healthy immunesystem. All the evidence suggests that takingthese drugs drastically increases thechances of people practising unsafe sex,and that sharing needles is as dangerousas not wearing a condom.John RossingtonThe free, fast, flexible, confidential andconvenient way for you to get an HIV testin Leeds, and coming soon to Bradford,Wakefield and North Yorkshire.Contact your local office for details.To arrange an HIV test orfor more information call:Leeds 0113 2444209Bradford 01274 395815Wakefield 01924 211116York 01904 6204006
Plenty of seamen in Wakefield!Well, writes Ross McCusker, what a nauticalnight!Saturday 25th May saw GayWakefield’ssecond S.O.S (Support Our Scene)cross-scene event.Following last year’s successful armythemednight, GW decided to stick withthe armed forces theme and go for anaval-orientated night. The LGBT communityof Wakefield didn’t disappoint,as they donned sea-faring garb and setsail to Wakefield’s themed venues.Much is often said about Wakefield andits gay scene and much of what is saidis not good. However it's <strong>events</strong> likethese, where all venues and organisations- like Yorkshire MESMAC and Pride- pull together to give the LGBT communitya magnificent treat, that provewrong those that had long since writtenthe smaller scenes off.What a fantabulosa night, with fancydress, seamen shots, stage games andDJs across the four seas of Wakefield -with Rear Admiral Bubbles La Belle, seawench Tina Cox, mermaid Nikoal andfisher woman Jo King.The Rainbow, The New Union, TheHarewood Arms, Odyssey, WakefieldMESMAC, gaywakefield.com, WaGGgroup, Wakefield Pride - and of coursethe Wakefield LGBT community - shouldbe proud they created this great nightand raised pieces of eight for WakefieldPride - on the second Sunday in August,August 11th.Sparkling in DoncasterAfter managing Crystals in Doncasterfor two years, Barry Dalby has finallytaken it over, and tells us: “We’ve havejust had a mini refurb and I have lotsof new exciting ideas in the pipeline.We open every night except Monday.On Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday andThursday - 8pm-2am. Friday - 8pm-3.30am and Saturday - 8pm-4.30am.It’s free entry every night - except Saturdaywhen there’s a £2.50 chargefrom 10.30pm. Saturday night iscabaret night with top drag acts live onstage at 11.30pm.”Friday night opens Crystal’s PrideWeekend with female vocalist DanielleWicks.On Saturday night they’re hosting theofficial Doncaster Pride After-Party,with Hell on Heels, a fantastic Birminghamdrag trio.Sunday night closes the weekend witha great male vocalist, Lucas Primme.Check out the advert on the back coverfor more info.Michael Douglas and Matt Damon butching it upSearching.... looking for LeedsOn Saturday 8th June, BlaydsBar in Leeds is holding an 80s“white party” in the courtyard -with DJ Ruby Loren and all-roundfavourite Hazell Dean (pictured).The event will be a Leeds Pridefundraiser with fun and entertainmentfrom 7pm untillate and the themeis “wear white” toget everyone inthe mood forgoing backto the 80s.It’s hostedby DaisyD u p o n t .Entry isfree.And laterin themonth -on Saturday15th - dragartiste Sandra makes anappearance at the bar. She’sknown for not holding back so if you areeasily offended it may be best if you stay in thebar! Take a look at www.blayds.co.uk for more.Behind the CandelabraBehind the Candelabra, a new film aboutthe life of extravagant entertainer Liberace,has received rave reviews, and thismonth you can see what the fuss is allabout at Sheffield’s Showroom theatre.Liberace - virtuoso pianist, outrageous entertainerand flamboyant star of stage andtelevision. A name synonymous withshowmanship and extravagance, Liberaceembraced a lifestyle of excess. In summer1977, handsome young stranger ScottThorson walked into his dressing roomand, despite their age difference andseemingly different worlds, the two embarkedon a secretive five-year love affair.It stars an almost unrecognisable MichaelDouglas, giving a stunning portrayal ofLiberace, and Matt Damon as Scott Thorson,Liberace’s secret love.Behind the Candelabra runs from Friday7th to Thursday 13th June.See www.showroomworkstation.org.ukfor more info and times.7
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