It’s outrageous that, in 2020 in Aotearoa, our LGBTQI+ communities have worse health outcomes than their straight peers. Stigma and discrimination lead to higher rates of mental health issues and even suicide. And then there are the physical illnesses – STIs like syphilis and HIV are disproportionately affecting our community. Our gay and bi guys […]
A Facebook post that promises a $10 phone credit is causing havoc for the New Zealand AIDS Foundation. The post, which encourages users to call an 0800 number to receive the credit, has resulted in hundreds of calls to an NZAF helpline over the past 24 hours – creating extra work for staff, and blocking […]
A petition to change New Zealand Blood Bank policy has been organised by Troy Mihaka, co-founder of Integrity New Zealand; and Luke Redward, queer rights advocate. Both are based in Wellington, New Zealand. The background to the petition is below with the petition and more details on the petition website. To treat heterosexual blood as […]
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is a time for all of us to remember the many lives lost to AIDS. It is an opportunity to honour those who dedicated their lives to helping people living with and affected by HIV and continue to mobilise our communities in solidarity. This year the Memorial will be marked […]
The New Zealand Blood Service recently pleaded for Kiwis to continue donating blood during the Covid-19 lockdown to ensure supplies do not run out. As a medical doctor, I have seen firsthand the absolute necessity of a secure supply of blood donations to keep us, the New Zealand public, alive when we fall ill. Despite […]
As the country moves to alert level 4, NZAF warns against breaking the requirements of the lockdown to engage in casual or anonymous sex. “The lockdown is in place to keep transmissions of COVID-19 as low as possible and to protect vulnerable members of our communities,” says NZAF CEO Dr Jason Myers. “People should not […]
Body Positive Inc. are looking for a Peer Program Coordinator The Peer Program Coordinator is responsible for providing a range of information, education and peer support strategies for people living with HIV (PLHIV). Working in collaboration within the Peer Outreach Team and with other Body Positive Staff and Volunteers, other agencies, service providers and health […]
After 16 years, Karen Ritchie, the founder of the Cartier trust, announced that the Cartier trust would be closed. She explained to Express “Fortunately, today not many people are dying from HIV and as a result, the need for the Cartier Trust is reducing.” The trust was established in the memory of much-loved drag artist […]
Listen to the Radio NZ Saturday Morning Interview with Marama Mullen. Marama Mullen (Ngatiawa ki Kapiti) contracted HIV from Peter Mwai in 1993. She was part of the case against him and had a long road to recovery in the wake of the trial and her diagnosis. Mullen co-founded INA – the Maori, Indigenous & […]
Evolve Education, an early childhood education company, told parents of children the daycare manager was HIV-positive to dispel any “fear” they might have over possible “danger” to their children. Evolve Education chief executive Mike Finlay was reported as saying this was so the parents were “fully informed of the absolute situation and, if anything, the […]