hiv today. a young person’s view · hiv memorial quilts from the north west and lgbt history from...
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NEWS & INFORMATION FOR LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL & TRANS PEOPLE IN CHESHIRE 234 DECEMBER 2018/JANUARY 2019
CheshireCheesecheshirecheese.org.uk
Pride in Cheshire 2018
Growing up, I never really knew anything about HIV. Nothing was said in schools or by family members. My parents grew up in the 80s, so whenever they talked about HIV, it was always with a heavily negative image. I can remember these words being said to me: “HIV is a disease only homosexual men can get” and this didn’t help being in an environment, where homosexuality and being different in general, was heavily frowned upon- even though it was in the era of 2000s.
Due to the lack of information regarding HIV, the only place I could learn anything was from the internet - which has its pros and cons. I saw adverts online, and I even saw TV adverts that were shown in the 80s. I can understand why the general public were frightened. The adverts were very fear inducing, as in that era, HIV was a death sentence. The use of language, the big and bold lettering looked frightful! I don’t know how people living with HIV must of felt when seeing these adverts. I imagine a lot of people were living in fear of HIV. I remember when I was younger being confused by the information regarding HIV on medical sites, as I couldn’t really understand at the
time, and wished there was information about HIV for teenagers.
I have a cousin, who is openly gay. He came out when I was around eleven years of age and, if I am going to be highly honest, I was wary being around him as I believed that, if he was gay, he must have HIV (which he doesn’t). I was wary of accidently touching him if I walked past him, thinking I could contract HIV. I wondered how anyone else in the room could be comfortable; as I was convinced he had HIV. I never spoke to my parents or anyone else in the family, in fear that it would be reported back to him, and it would cause a family uproar, which was normal in my family. I didn’t want the burden of causing more hostility.
Obviously, I don’t think like this now, but I feel so stupid and ignorant for ever thinking like that. If only someone had had a conversation with me, I would have never had to feel that way. But, if people I knew around me didn’t have an idea, how could I expect them to cure my ignorant mind regarding HIV?
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HIV Today. A Young Person’s View
You can get an HIV test from Body Positive by dropping into our base in
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There is still a stigma attached to people w i th HIV, and I t h ink younger homosexual and bisexual men in particular would still be ashamed if they were to contract HIV, as their parents may still have the same mind-set about HIV, from seeing those adverts when they were younger. The horror that if anyone found out that they had HIV- they may feel their life was over. We know this is not the case, as there is now medication to help control HIV from progressing ever further, but there is still a cloud of judgement surrounding
many people who open out. You can see that some people still have this mind-set, as their body language gives it away when they are being told that they know someone with HIV. In my experience, I have seen people roll their eyes, or put their heads down and shake their head in disappointment. This would probably cause some more guilt, if they could see these people’s reactions.
The younger generation are not really taught about HIV, so in sex education classes, which are compulsory from 2019, I really hope that young people are informed, and will help de-stigmatise HIV. This will give the younger generation not just a rounded view of sexual health, but to understand what you can do, if you were to contract HIV. Know that there is support and it is not a death sentence anymore. You can carry on and have an extraordinary life!
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If you’re aged 18yrs+ and want to give rugby a try this and every Wednesday at 6.00pm get full details of how you can get involved at centurionsrufc.co.uk
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is currently
consulting on our draft IRMP, or draft action plan.
This plan is about improving public safety, reducing
the number of emergency incidents and saving
lives.
The plan provides information on the risks facing
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and details how the
organisation is structured and operates to mitigate
these risks. It also details how Cheshire Fire Authority
is funded.
We are consulting on the plan up to Friday 4th January
2019. As always, we are keen to make sure this
consultation reaches Cheshire’s diverse communities,
especially our LGBT community, so that we can be sure
responses reflect the views and needs of all groups.
Cheshire Fire is proud of its LGBT inclusion work, and
is currently the 4th best performing employer on
Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index, and we want to
continue this good work with our communities. As
such, we would be very grateful if you could kindly
respond to the consultation via the link below.
Full details of the draft plan, together with the
consultation questionnaire, are available at :
www.cheshirefire.gov.uk/home/have-your-say-on-
our-draft-plans-for-20192020
If you have any questions, or would like a copy of
the consultation in a different format, please
contact [email protected]
Have Your Say
CheshireSocialGroups
Gay and Bi Women’s Social Group (7-9pm)Bridgewater House, Crewe CW2 7EHFirst and third Thursday of the month
Gay and Bi Men’s Social Group (7-9pm)Bridgewater House, Crewe CW2 7EHMonday 10th DecemberMonday 17th DecemberMonday 7th JanuaryMonday 21st January
Just Drop-in, Macclesfield Sk11 6URMonday 3rd DecemberJanuary date to be confirmed
TransPositive Trans Social Group (7-9pm)Bridgewater House, Crewe CW2 7EHTuesday 8th January
Visit for updatesbpcnw.co.uk/whats-on
A few snaps taken during the recent Silver Rainbows From Prejudice to Pride touring exhibition in West Cheshire libraries. If you’re 50 years of age or older and would like to get involved with future Silver Rainbows events and social groups visit silverrainbows.com 01270 or call Colin on 653150.
Body Positive launches a new trans social and support group on Tuesday 8th January at their base in Bridgewater House in Crewe. TransPositive is being run with the help of The Unique Trangender Network and will take place on the first Tuesday of each month from 7 - 9pm. Call 01270 653150 or email [email protected] for more details.
Proud Bees, the LGBT social group are organising a service and candlelighting ceremony at St Lawrence's Church, Church Road, Frodsham WA6 7DU to commorate World AIDS Day. The ceremony takes place on Saturday 1st December at 1.30pm.
If you missed out on the From Prejudice to Pride touring exhibition highlighted above you may want to put the 2nd of February 2019 in your diary. It’s the first day of the next exhibition for LGBT History Month at Weaver Hall Museum in Northwich. This new exhibition will feature HIV Memorial Quilts from the North West and LGBT History from the 1980s, 90s and 2000s, oral histories and archives. There will be a number of film showings (titles yet to be confirmed) one of which will be Landline, a film featuring the Cheshire Gay Farmers helpline. There’ll also be a Silent Disco with bar and refreshments, talks from people who have lived through the AIDS crisis and you’ll have the opportunity to help create a Memorial Quilt for Cheshire.
There’ll be more information about the festival and exhibition on the Cheshire Cheese website nearer the time and if you’re already on, or would like to subscribe to our email bulletin we’ll be sending out updates as we have them. To subscribe contact [email protected]
Film Festival and Exhibition 2nd February - 8th March 2019
Tra
nsP
osi
tive Proud Bees
World AIDSDay Service
Donate to Body PositiveHere a couple of ways you can help raise money for Body Positive over the next month (every penny counts).
Team Kelly and Kellie are jumpin out of an aircrift to raise money for Body Positive. Why not sponsor them by visiting and bpcnw.co.ukclicking on the donation banner.
Festive frolics at Hanky Panky Pancakes in Chester who are staging their own panto with the option to donate to Body Positive when booking your ticket. If you want to solve the Mystery of the Flowery Knob (and who wouldn’t) head over to ticketsource.co.uk/event/FKMKGK for all the details and to book now.
Phoenix LGBT+ Youth Northgate Locks Resource Centre, Canal Street, CH1 4EJ 0790 068 0725Sally Carr [email protected] young people aged 13-19 years who identify as LGBT+. 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month 6.30 – 8.30pm
Utopia01260 290000For LGBT+ youth aged 16 -21 years. Tuesdays 5.30-7.30pm
UtopiaEmail: [email protected] LGBT+youth up to 19 years. Wednesday 6.30pm - 9.00pm
Phoenix LGBT+ Youth Whitby Hall, Stanney Lane, CH65 9AE0790 068 0725Sally Carr [email protected] young people aged 13-19 years who identify as LGBT+. 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month 6.30 – 8.30pm
GLOWCRMZ, Kingsway, Widnes, WA8 7QEContact Young Addaction: 0151 257 2520Email: [email protected] weekly at CRMZ, Tuesdays 7-9pm. For young people aged 13 -19 in Halton who identify as LGBT
Utopia33 Great King Street, Macclesfield Jennifer Duggan: 0779 443 [email protected] LGBT+ people up to 25 years. Monday 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Phoenix LGBT+ Youth0790 068 0752Northwich & District Youth Centre, Winnington Lane, Northwich CW8 4DEFor young people, 13-19 (up to 25 with additional needs) who identify as LGBT+. 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month 6-8pm
GLYSS (Gay & Lesbian Youth Support Service)Call/ text us at 07747 473 829We are a weekly youth group for LGBT that meets every Wednesday 6.30pm - 9.30pm, we also offer one-to-one support and can help with issues in schools and colleges
Phoenix LGBT+ Youth0790 068 0752Winsford Community Fire Station, Sadler Road, Winsford, CW7 2BNFor young people, 13-19 (up to 25 with additional needs) who identify as LGBT+. 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month 6-8pm
Youth Groups
CHESTER
CONGLETON
ELLESMERE PORT
ELLESMERE PORT
MACCLESFIELD
NORTHWICH
WARRINGTON
WINSFORD
Cheshire LGBT Helpline01270 653150 (Mon 5.00pm - 9.30pm)
Chester Sexual Abuse Support Service07583 879464Email: [email protected] counselling and telephone support for men and women 18+ who have experienced sexual abuse or violence
Gay Farmer Helpline07837 931894 (Telephone calls can be expensive so we will call you back)Email: [email protected]: www.gayfarmer.co.ukGay Farmer? Need to talk? Need information? Talk with someone who understands. Complete confidentiality assured.
Switchboard - the LGBT+ Helpline0300 330 0630 (National rate even from mobiles)Instant messaging via www.switchboard.lgbtEmail: [email protected](10am - 10pm 7 days a week)
Domestic ViolenceNational: 0808 2000 247Specialist Men's Helpline: 0808 801 0327Arch 01782 744533National Helpline: 0800 999 5428Cheshire East Team: 01244 613531Cheshire West Team: 01244 614234Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre: 01925 221546
National AIDS Helpline0800 567 123 (24 Hours)
Samaritans08457 90 90 90 (24 Hours)Confidential, emotional support
“Genderblender”@Rosies12-14 Northgate Street, CH1 2HA01244 372 141Every Tuesday @ Reflex, Chester, 10pm - 3am
Liverpool Arms (The LA)79 Northgate Street, CH1 2HQWebsite: www.liverpool-arms.com
The Old Queens Head97 Foregate Street, CH1 1HE
Ruby Rooms1 Boughton, CH3 5EA
Northwich SaunaWinnington Lane, CW8 4GX01606 784881Website: northwichsauna.co.uk
Switchboards & Helplines
LESBIAN, GAY & BISEXUAL
CheeseBoard
OTHER HELPLINES
Pub & Clubs etc.
CHESTER
NORTHWICH
CREWE
Gay Outdoor Club08448 770462 (National number)Website: www.goc.org.ukwalking/climbing/swimming/cycling/and lots more
Silver Rainbows0789 451 5857 (Colin Avery)[email protected] network for older lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people in Cheshire
Sole Sisters Walking GroupEmail: [email protected] group for Gay Women who walk in Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales on Sundays.
Pride in P3P3,1 York Street, Chester, CH1 3LR15 Whitby Road, Ellesmere Port CH65 8AA01244 405930 (Ch) 0151 356 2277 (EP)Email: [email protected] social group providing a safe friendly atmosphere for mature LBGT to meet new friends, take part in events and activities organised by the group.
Out in CongE-mail: [email protected]: www.facebook.com/outincongClosed Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/outincongTwitter: www.twitter.com/OutInCongWeekly meet-up for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, intersex, asexual, queer and non-binary folk in and around Congleton. Every Tuesday at The Young Pretender, Lawton Street, Congleton, from 8.30pm
Cheshire Gay & Bi Men’s Group01270 653150www.bpcnw.co.ukGay & Bisexual men’s drop in. 7pm-9pmEvery other Monday
For Women01270 653150www.bpcnw.co.ukLesbian & Bisexual women’s drop in. 7pm-9pm 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month
TransPositive01270 653150Website: www.bpcnw.co.ukTrans social group meets first Tuesday of the month, 7pm-9pm. First group starting 8th January.
©2018 Body Positive Cheshire & North Wales Registered Charity 1009850 BODYPOSITIVEDISCLAIMER: The inclusion of any service agency or individual in the Cheshire
Cheese Newsletter does not indicate a recommendation.
Cheshire Cheese Bridgewater House230 Edleston RoadCrewe CW2 7EH
Telephone01270 653150Fax01270 653158
Editorial ContactChris FlewittDeadline 23524 January 2019
Proud BeesLorraine 0773 164 1752Michael 0798 968 4007Email: [email protected] group for LGBT people and their friends (18+). Meets monthly for friendship,support and occasional fundraisers.
Lesbian Badminton Group07810 788040 Play every other Friday between 7 - 8pm. Call/Text for details
FFLAG WarringtonEmail: mardigrasfoundation@outlook.comwww.MardiGrasFoundation.org.ukMeets 2nd Tuesday of each month 6pm - 8pm and is a fellowship for friends/family of LGBT people. We support our straight allies in dealing with the coming out process
Body Positive Bridgewater House, 230 Edleston Road, Crewe, CW2 7EH 01270 653150E mail: [email protected]: www.bpcnw.co.ukSupport, information and advice for people with sexual health/sexuality issues (including LGBT people) and people living with or affected by HIV
Chester Sexual Abuse Support Service01244307499www.csass.org.uk FB/Twitter CSASServiceFree Counselling,Telephone Support,Creative and Campaign group. For all survivors of Sexual Abuse. Age18+. LGBT Friendly.
Citizens Advice03444 772 121 (Adviceline)Chester in the Bluecoat Building (CH1 4EE)Ellesmere Port at 1, Whitby Road (CH65 8AA)Northwich at Meadow Court (CW9 5FP) Winsford at Wyvern House (CW7 1AU)Drop-in 9am - 4pm, Monday to Friday. See www.citizensadvice.org.uk for details
Trans-Staffordshire07470 485425Website: trans-staffordshire.org.ukTransgender social and support group
Free confidential advice and treatment on sexually transmitted infections/HIV testing
Chester/Crewe/Macclesfield 0300 323 1300Runcorn 01928 753101 Warrington 01925 644202 Option 1
Social Groups
ALL CHESHIRE
CHESTER & ELLESMERE PORT
CONGLETON
CREWE
ALL CHESHIRE
NESTON
WARRINGTON
Support & Advice
Sexual Health Clinics