What do you know? World Aids Day Quiz

So, you know December the 1st is World Aids Day and you’ve already got your red ribbon. You even know that the day is about promoting awareness, reducing discrimination and a worldwide opportunity to fight against HIV, but can you answer our World Aids Day quiz?

1. The first World Aids Day was in

a) 1988

b) 1986

c) 1990

 2. What is the specific theme for this year’s World Aids Day?

a) The developing world and HIV prevention

b) Shared responsibility, strengthened results

c) HIV and over 50s

 

3. What has been displayed from the White House every year since 2007 to commemorate World Aids Day?

a) A 28ft ribbon

b) A 50 ft rainbow flag

c) A 34ft tag line of this year’s theme

 

4. Who gives an annual speech for patients and doctors affected by HIV + AIDS?

a) The Queen

b) The US president

c) The Pope

 

5. Who has taken on responsibility for planning World Aids Day since 1996?

a) UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS)

b) WHO (World Health Organisation) 

c) Nobody – individual organisations and communities assume responsibility

Ever seen one this big? A giant condom on the Obelisco – Buenos Aires to mark World Aid Day 

6. The overall theme for 2011-2015 is:

a) No HIV in Africa

b) Youth, HIV and AIDS

c) Getting to zero

 

7) For the last few years which iconic London landmark has ‘gone red’ for World Aids Day?

a) Big Ben

b) London Eye

c) Houses of Parliament

 

8) Which of these are happening to mark World Aids Day 2013?

a) 5K red run – Victoria Park

b) 56 Dean St HIV testing at G-A-Y bar, Soho

c) GMI HIV testing at Joiner’s Arms,  Shoreditch

9) As of this World Aids Day what is the estimated number of people living with HIV and AIDS globally?

a) 13 million people

b) 27 million people

c) 35 million people

(See here for more info)

10) Which of the following was in the NIH’s (National Institute of Health) 2013 World Aids Day statement?

a) ‘We have reached the point when the thought of an HIV cure is not unrealistic’

b) ‘The thought of an HIV cure, while desirable, is likely to remain unobtainable’

c) ‘In the developed world and HIV cure is now finally possible’

Answers

1A, 2B – see here for info, 3A, 4C, 5A, 6C, 7B, 8A, B + C, 9C, 10A

How did you do? Some of the questions were tough so well done if you managed to get some of the answers right. How does your score compare to that of your friends? Share on Facebook and find out! Here’s this year’s UNAIDS video to mark World Aids Day it’s short, super and informative so take a look.

For World Aids Day we will be at the Joiner’s Arms, Shoreditch from 2-6pm on Sunday. So why not show your support, come along and get tested? Our health trainers are out and about at other locations across the city answering any sexual health questions you might have and providing HIV testing/working with clinics who are testing, just in case you can’t make it along on Sunday. Here’s the info on where we’ll be over the next few days and into next week:

Expectations   (HIV Rapid Testing Clinic) 75 Great Eastern St, London, EC2A 3RY	28 Nov			16:00 – 19:00
	Portsea   sauna and The City of Quebec pub* Marble Arch				16:30 – 20:00
	Chariots   (Shoreditch) Shoreditch				17:00 – 20:00
	Chariots   Vauxhall Vauxhall	29 Nov			17:00 – 20:00
	Chariots Waterloo				17:00 – 20:00
	Ku   Bar (Rapid HIV Testing Clinic) Frith Street, Soho	30 Nov			14:00 – 18:00
	Joiner’s   Arms Hackney, Road, Shoreditch	01 Dec			14:00 – 18:00
	CODE   Clinic 56 Dean Street	03 Dec			17:00 – 19:00
	West   6 Clinic West London Centre for Sexual Health, Charing Cross Hospital				17:30 – 19:30

 The London Eye ‘goes red’ for World Aids Day 

Popping up at a venue near you!

Pop-up seems to be the word of the moment. There are pop-up shops, pop-up cafes and even pop-up malls. So, why not pop-up HIV testing? Well, that’s exactly what we thought and that’s one of the reasons why we have a series of pop-up HIV clinics across London on different days of the week. As well as testing at one-off events such as pride and music festivals, we have set venues where we can do fee, rapid, HIV tests. The main fixed pop-up clinics are:

Ku Bar Frith St – every Saturday 2-6pm .

Expectations shop, Shoreditch – every Thursday 5-7pm (with Positive East).

Chariots Sauna Shoreditch – every Wednesday and Thursday 5-7.30pm (with St Bart’s clinic and THT).

GAY – every Wednesday 3.30-6.30pm, (with 56 Dean Street).

Other Chariots Saunas – every Friday rotating amongst: Vauxhall, Limehouse, Waterloo and Stretham.

In all venues we have a private confidential space where you can test with a healthrainer, who you can also ask any questions about HIV and STI transmission and risk. The test just involves a finger prick, so there are no big needles, like the ones involved in a full blood test, and you get the result within a couple of minutes, so what’s stopping you? We can meet you at the pop-up testing venues, or we can even take you there if you’d feel more comfortable.

Some of the other advantages of pop-up testing are:

• It’s convenient, you don’t even need to go to a clinic.
• It’s friendly and does not involve speaking to a doctor or nurse.
• It is non-judgemental, free and only takes a couple of minutes.

 

Our pop-up testing has been a huge success and in the last 6 months we have tested almost 500 gay and bisexual men across London. One of the big advantages of pop-up testing is that we are more likely to test men who are having riskier sex and men who are less likely to test than those that would come along to a sexual health clinic.

For World Aids Day we are going to run a testing afternoon on Saturday 23rd November, 1-6pm, at both of the Ku Bars (Soho and China town). The aim is going to be to get as many men as possible to test and our staff and volunteers will be out in the street around Soho/China town promoting the day, so say hi if you see us and come along if you can make it! There will be more information on the testing day nearer the time so keep your eyes peeled!

World Aids Day Success!

Hi everyone,

Just a quick update to say that the world record breaking HIV testing event that we assisted 56 Dean Street clinic with (and I wrote about last week), was a HUGE success! We didn’t just break the last world record of less than 500, but smashed it with 745 tests (including 6 that were positive).  We also talked to many men before and after getting tested – answering sexual health questions and directing them where support was required.

Here’s a photo of me and my colleague Ibrahim outside G-A-Y bar where all the action was happening.

Thanks you to everyone who came down on the day and for making it such a fun day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

World Aids Day – December 1st 2012

What’s it all about?

This Saturday, December 1^st, is World Aids Day. Its  aim is to bring people together from around the world to fight stigma, increase awareness, improve education and raise funds for HIV/AIDS research and support. This year the theme for World Aids Day (WAD) is ‘Working together for an AIDS Free Generation’.  This falls under the 2011-2015 wider theme of ‘Getting to zero’ which aims to reduce new infections, discrimination and AIDS related deaths and improve access to treatment. One of the goals is to reduce sexual transmission by half by 2015 – focusing on the overlapping groups of MSM (men who have sex with men), sex-workers and young people. The project also seeks to eliminate vertical (mother to child) transmission and transmission through drug use as well as removing punitive laws and practices related to HIV and AIDS. This might sound familiar, especially following the high profile support given to the ‘Getting to zero’ project by Hilary Clinton, but how about the facts below? How familiar are they?

Did you know?

• WAD was started on 1^st December 1988.
• There is no official WAD ribbon manufacturer and many charities and other organisations make their own (You can get yours online here )
• Approximately 34 million people are living with HIV around the world.
• 25 million people have died from AIDS since 1981.
• Getting to zero aims for universal access to antiretroviral therapy for people living with HIV who are eligible for treatment.
• A 2007 study showed 37% of over 18s had never had an HIV test. For UK testing locations see http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/ServiceSearchAdditional.aspx?ServiceType=SexualHealthService .

What’s happening in London?

There is a lot happening in London as part of WAD. Below is a list of outreach events organised by GMI and it’s partners. Come along, support us and show your solidarity for this important cause!

The London Eye lit up for World Aids Day

GMI – We are going to be with 56 Dean Street clinic on the testing bus outside G-A-Y bar, Old Compton street, Soho. There is going to be free testing, confidential sexual health advice and information and we’re trying to break the world record for the most people tested in one day!  For info see link.

Positive East

East End Weekender – 29th November – 1st December
Fundraising night in east London’s hottest gay pubs and clubs across the World AIDS Day weekend. Dalton Superstore is confirmed and more venues are lining up to show their support by generously donating their door money to Positive East for one night during the World AIDS Day weekend.

Jump for World AIDS Day – all weekends of the year
Positive East are always looking for people to raise money to support people living with HIV by taking part in a free skydive. This World AIDS Day is no different. If you’re a daredevil who want to fly from 10,000ft and make a difference, then sign up for your very own free sky dive today!
Simply send your details to: skydive@positiveeast.org.uk and they will contact you about the arrangements.

Big Red Sale – 6th December – Positive East, Stepney Green.
There will be a wonderful selection of books, CDs and DVDs, toys, and vintage clothing and gifts on sale. Whether you’re a bargain hunter, or a Christmas shopper, there’s bound to be something for you. Sale starts from 1pm until it’s all gone!

Pig’s Ear Beer Festival – 4th to 8th December – The Round Chapel, Hackney E5 OPU
Positive East will be collecting all week long at Hackney’s favourite beer and cider festival, as part of the Campaign for Real Ale. Pop along and say hello to our collectors, and enjoy lovely tipple of your favourite ale while you’re at it.

For more info see on the events above the Positive East’s Facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/PositiveEast

 

Metro Centre

Prowler Store – Soho – 29^th November: 1pm-10pm

Metro will be selling ribbons, distributing information about National Testing Week and letting you know more about all the services they offer.

Woolwich train station – 30^th  November: 11am-5pm

Come along to Metro’s red ribbon stall and support the cause by making a donation.

 Greenwich station – 30^th November: 7am-7pm

Metro will be at Greenwich station early to late handing out red ribbons and taking your generous donations.

Woolwich train station – 1^st  December 11am – 5pm

Come on over to Woolwich station to show your support and get your red ribbons.

 Prince of Greenwich (8.15-10.30) and George and Dragon (10.45-1.15am) – Greenwich – 1^st December

Metro will be selling red ribbons, giving information on Metro services and answering any sexual health questions you might have.

 

 WLGMP – West London Gay Men’s Project

Together with our community partners, West London Gay Men’s Project is encouraging people to Act HIV Aware this World AIDS Day, providing information and support to tackle HIV stigma, dispel myths, prevent HIV transmission, promote HIV testing, and advocate support for people living with HIV.

 28 November  4:30pm-6pm: Health Trainer Outreach at Portsea Sauna, W2 2BL

28 November 6:30pm-8pm: Health Trainer Outreach at The City of Quebec, W1H 7AF

29 November and 30 November 10am-5pm: Information stall at Hounslow Civic Centre, TW3 4DN

30 November  11am-2pm: Outreach and Awareness Raising at West Thames College, Isleworth, (closed event)

30 November 11am-2pm: HIV Testing and Outreach at Kingston University, Penrhyn Road Campus, KT1 2EE

1 December 11am-3pm: Community outreach at Hounslow ASDA, TW3 1JT, in partnership with Hounslow African Health Project

1 December 8pm-11pm: Health Trainer Outreach at Richmond Arms, W1H 7AF (Richmond Upon Thames LGBT Forum Event)

1 December 8pm-11pm: Outreach at West 5, Ealing, W5 4NT (OutWest Fundraising Event)

GMI provide free sexual health counselling, mentoring and advice for the gay/bi/trans community in London. For more infomation on GMI services contact Tony on tony@metrocentreonline.org