Wellington in New Zealand is about to get the 20 minute HIV test from 1 November but in Australia the situation remains that the test isn't available.
ACON in August in SSO said that the rapid test wasn't needed here as most gay men tested.
If the response in New Zealand is anything to go by then it would suggest the rapid test would be welcomed by men in Australia. One has to think there must be guys who live outside the major centres (and in the major centres) who would like to be able to tested in a major city and find it easier to test when visiting than having the test in a small rural town or trying to get back to get the test results.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Faster HIV Test for NZ but still none in OZ
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Time up for Homosexual Panic Defence
The New Zealand Law Commission is recommending the removal of the "Homosexual Panic Defence" in murder cases.
The murder of gay men has been happening for too long and it is time this ridiculous defence was removed.
In New Zealand the beat a queer and you will get it off was not helped by the 1964 murder of Aberhart.
Unfortunately their is still people who just want to bash/kill a queer as can be seen by the increased level of violence against gay men in Oxford St in Sydney recently.
Equal rights for gays
Australia is in the middle of the federal election campaign and what is interesting is how neither major party actually is going to do anything to fix up the unequal situation that gay and lesbian's find in Australia.
The following two youtube clips show the real difference that exists between New Zealand and Australia when it comes to gay rights. It is hard to believe that in the 70s women had to fly to Sydney for abortions but now gay and lesbian couples have to fly to New Zealand for a civil union.
Kevin Rudd ABC: Rudd raises eyebrows with gay marriage comments
John Howard of course has never supported gay marriage and unlike his National Party colleagues in New Zealand has never sent a letter of support to Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, unlike previous National Prime Ministers who have written letters of support to the equivalent Auckland Hero Festival event - including attending the Hero Parade.
John Howard Gay Marriage Scapegoat Kevin Rudd
NZ Prime Minister Helen Clark at the Big Gay Out 2007
NZ Prime Minister Helen Clark at the Big Gay Out 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
HIV Research Breakthrough
An interesting item on the ABC on HIV research in Australia.
The research at Alfred Hospital in Melbourne is focused on uncovering HIV and how it replicates and the implications of latent cells.
The director of infectious diseases at the Alfred, Professor Sharon Lewin, says one of the problems with HIV is that it hides from the immune system, but the team has found a new way of investigating this."[HIV] actually is quite clever in that in addition to actually infecting and killing a cell, it can also hide within a cell, and it does that because it's able to integrate, or enter into the person's DNA," she said.
"There's not many viruses that can do that. Once it's in the DNA of the cell, the cell can no longer spit it out, basically, and it will stay there for the life of the cell."
Professor Lewin says these "latent" cells, which carry the HIV code, are the reason HIV cannot be cured.
"The minute you stop the drugs, those cells that carry the pieces of HIV genetics in its own DNA can then in effect refuel the fire of HIV replication," she said.
"People initially thought that if you were on treatment long enough, you'd just wait until those infected cells die off, and then perhaps you could be on treatment for 10 years.
"But once we developed ways of measuring those latently infected cells, the calculations now are you'd need to be on treatment for 60 years, so effectively lifelong treatment, unless we develop ways to target those latently infected cells."
Read the whole article here.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Have to love the language
I just came across Lindsay Perigo's press release.
Nothing unusual about it but you have to love the language. Some select quotes:
- Homosexuals, once the victims of Nazism, are now among its foremost advocates.
- The gay movement is infested by faggot-maggots with totalitarian intent.
- All freedom-lovers, gay and straight, should unite in resistance to this 21st Century Hitlerism.
I noticed Christopher Biggin's comments, in comparison to Perigo's, were informative and contributed to the ongoing debate around hate speech laws.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
John Banks back
You would think Aucklander's would have learnt there lesson last time around.
Due to a low voter turnout John Banks has got back the Auckland mayoralty. He has promised he has changed from last time but somehow I don' t think this tiger has changed his stripes.
Expect more homophobic nonsense, general intolerance and other comments from this Mayor of Auckland.
It also looks like Lindsay Rea has just missed out on been Auckland City's first out lesbian councillor missing out by only a few votes in Western Bays. Final results are due by the middle of the week so hopefully some specials which might help push her over the line.
And for more bad news expect homophobe David Hay back as Deputy Mayor.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
What really happens in Aussie changing rooms
In today's Daily Telegraph Manly winger Michael Robertson says he is "embarrassed" that footage of him naked appeared on Fox Sports after the Sea Eagles lost the grand final.
While Manly's Steve Menzies is interviewed by a Fox Sports journalist after the NRL decider on September 30, Robertson can clearly be seen in the background swirling his genitalia.
The video and more on the story here.
Interesting they are running a poll on "Who should cop the blame for Robertson's shame?" Maybe it is time we stopped getting so worried about sight of naked man and he certainly doesn't have anything to be embarrassed or ashamed of.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
uniQ newsletter Otago
The Queerest Tea Party “Country Fair Bakeoff” Next week!!
University lawn, Thursday the 11th October 12-2PM
Come and enter you country goodness baking in the bent bakeoff comp #2. Hoe down on fruit pies, campy cakes and varieties of vegan delights. Entries on the day, bring your baking goods to the OUSA Student Support Centre before 12 to be in.
The judging and eating (with refreshments provided) will take place from 12-2pm where there will also be…
~The uniQ Annual General Meeting (QAGM) held during the Queerest Tea Party!!!
For uniQ to make any changes we need you to approve them (note voting only open to polytech and uni students) and/or make suggestions of improvements that can be made.
Agenda
uniQ Report -uniQ activities through the year from last AGM
New directions and proposed changes:
uniQ name change so that name reflects polytech members as well etc – email your suggestions!!!
eg QTS (Queer Tertiary Students), out@otago, Camp as us etc
Elect the Queer n’ friendly Exec (peps that organise the queer students group)
Amendments to uniQ constitution
Plans for Next Year: Hosting national uniQ conference, Orientation gig – Traffic light party
your suggestions?
~Scarfie.com correction
In scarfie.com it said that there was a uniQ party on the 13th of October@12 below. This has been scrapped due to Queerest Tea Party and QAGM commitments - but remember the traffic light party @ uni orientation 08!!!!!
~Pride Week
Check out the gaynz.com and the express magazine for glamour shots from this years pride week
~Queer Friendly Flat
Post Grad Student is looking for a flat from November when they arrive from the
~DCC, ORC and ODHB elections
Remember when voting you need to have posted your completed voting papers by the 11th of October (so that the electoral people get it on time for the 13th). If you haven’t got your voting papers by now you can… obtain special voting papers by calling 477 4000 or A special voting booth will be available in the DCC Customer Services Agency, Civic Centre in the Octagon during ordinary business hours (8.30 am – 5.00 pm) from Friday, 21 September to Friday, 12 October. It will also be open on the morning of Saturday, 13 October from 8.30 am to 12.00 noon.
~
uniQ regular goings on and contact details…
Slice of Fruit-join your hosts Nicky, Dougal and Cory for your ‘slice of fruit’. Queer news, reviews, music and the latest and greatest Queer and Queer friendly what’s on in
Every Tuesday 11:15am Radio 1, 91FM
Remember to email in queer bands and DJs to play on air!
To contact uniQ
Queer Support – OUSA Student Support Centre
The uniQ resource Library-Free to hire Queer DVDS, videos, books and magazines @ the Student Support Centre. Come on in and have a browse!
Queer Peer Support- Peer Support is available for anyone who is questioning their sexuality or gender. It runs prioritising discreetness (if students are not out), safety and support. We have a team of 12 of Queer students who are there to listen and support you.
This team of trained peer support volunteers come from different cross sections of the queer community and have experienced coming to terms, coming out, questioning, wondering, being scared, and have had lots of questions about our own non heterosexual or non gender specific selves. They are able to meet with people on or off campus, private or public-whatever suits.
DOC- lunch time meet and greet for Queer and Questioning Male identified folks is starting 2008
Posse- lunch time meet and greet for Queer and Questioning Female identified peps is starting 2008
To contact Queer Support
E: q.support@ousa.org.nz
P: 479 5445
or pop into the Student Support Centre, in the Cumberland Street Archway, just up from Student Job Search
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