Newsletter

I am writing this after having ploughed through 10cm of snow amongst the most astonishing white landscape on my drive to work… and it is only the end of October. I have been living in Scotland for 41/2 years now and it is the first time that there is snow –and this much- so early on. It really makes you think of winter evenings, sitting by the fire.., making walks through the snow, cosy and cold.
But before the end of the year, there is still a major event, WORLD AIDS DAY on 1 December 2008. Many people are living with HIV in the world but also closer to home, more than 90.000 in the UK, more than 5.000 in Scotland, more than 100 in Highland. THT’s vision is to contribute to a world where people with HIV live healthy lives free from prejudice and discrimination, and good sexual health is a right and a reality for all. Our testing services, health promotion activities, one to one and group support, counselling services, our lobbying and training… are all aimed to achieve just that. Together with all other organisations through out the whole world and together with all the people living with HIV we would like to ask you to stand still and consider this problem, to stand still and remember all the people who already died because of HIV related illnesses, to stand still and reflect on you own sexual health and responsibility and to act. On the back of the newsletter we mention a few things you can do on World Aids Day: raise awareness, remember and donate. It is only with your help, with the help of everyone that progress can be made. Come and visit our stall at the Eastgate centre on 1st December. We look forward to meeting you. Further I would like to announce already two end of the year activities. During the year we meet, discuss and socialise. The end of the year is a good time to celebrate. The T group and Swans will have a meal together on Wednesday 10 December in Inverness. And the day after, Thursday 11 December LGBT Caithness is having their end of the year meal in ‘The Old Schoolhouse’ in John O’Groats. More details for both events in the next newsletter. Have a good month and see you soon,
Agnes and Katrina

World Aids Day: December 1st
Respect and Protect

World Aids Day is almost here, so what can you do to support it? Why not...
Raise awareness! Wear a red ribbon or organise a ‘red’ day and encourage your friends and colleagues to do the same. Put up a poster. Knowledge! Find out the facts about HIV and share them. Check out tht.org.uk. Raise funds for HIV support and prevention services in Scotland (THT!) Organise a cake or dvd party; sell something you don’t want any more in an Ebay auction; get people to sponsor you to do something you don’t normally attempt - set up an online sponsor form at justgiving.org
Campaign with us! Check out tht.org.uk/campaign
We can help out by providing red ribbons, World Aids Day posters, leaflets, bookmarks, HIV information or THT collection boxes. Just let us know what you need!


Online groups
We have increased our online peer social / support services with groups for people living with HIV and / or Hepatitis C and for the Transgender community. Join these groups and reap the benefits: create contacts, communicate, share your concerns. These groups are here for you:

People living with HIV http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HighlandHIVpos

People living with Hepatitis C http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HighlandHepCpos

Transgender community http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HighlandTransgender

LGBT community http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lgbtnorthscotland

Information blog http://thtscotland-highlandservices.blogspot.com

Sexual Health

Free, anonymous and confidential testing:
STI Screening: Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis
Hep B and Hep C Testing: with direct referral to Hep C Clinic
Hep B Immunisation
HIV Testing: Lab test or Point of Care Testing
Family Planning advice, prescribing of oral contraception
Pregnancy Testing
Emergency Contraception

Drop In: Monday – Friday from 1.30pm - 4.00pm
Every Tuesday from 5 - 7pm

Appointments can be arranged by calling 01463 711585

Needle Exchange
Monday – Friday from 1.30pm - 4.00pm

Drop-In for sex workers
Tuesday 11th November from 12noon – 2pm

Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland
34 Waterloo Place
Inverness
IV1 1NB
Telephone: 01463 711585
Email: info.highland@tht.org.uk

Social Gatherings

LGBT Drop-in lunch
Tuesday 11 November12-2pm at THT

T group
Wednesday 12 November 7-9pm at THT
For those who identify as Transgender - in all its variety

LGBT CAITHNESS Social Group
Thursday 13 November 6.30-9pm - Thurso .
All lgbt people welcome at the ‘Yard’ The Shore, Wick, Thurso.
Contact Jon on 07749 517826 for more information.

HepC positive Support Group
Tuesday 18 November 6-8pm at THT
A group to meet other people who are HepC+, whether on treatment or not.

Lochaber LGBT Lochaber Social Group
Wednesday 19 November 6.30-7.30pm
All LGBT people welcome. Contact Agnes on 01463 711585 for further information.

Movie Evening: Torch Song Trilogy
Wednesday 26 November 7-9pm at THT

HIV positive support group
Friday 28 November 12-2pm at THT

Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lgbtnorthscotland and join the online community for LGBT people in the North of Scotland. You can also find this info. and more on our blog http://thtscotland-highlandservices.blogspot.com

THT: Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness IV1 1NB
Tel: 01463 711 585

Film

Harvey Fierstein recreates his role as the unsinkable Arnold Beckoff in this film adaptation of the smash Broadway play. Both funny and poignant. Torch Song Trilogy chronicles a New Yorker's search for love, respect and tradition in a world that seems not especially made for him. Armed with a keenly developed sense of humour and piercing wit. Arnold tests commonly accepted terms of endearment, and confirms that happiness is well worth carrying a torch for.