World Aids Day letter

20 November 2007



Dear Friend,


During the week from 26 – 2 December 2007 colleges, businesses, artists and organisations in the Highlands are all collaborating to raise awareness of HIV and Aids here and worldwide. Included you find the list of all the events and we are very happy that people in the Highlands recognise the importance of it and engage with it. Please support their efforts: buy some wonderful chocolates from Cocoa Mountain, buy Kita’s lovely cards, have a meal at the Trawler, Go to bar Pivo, come and visit our stall at the Eastgate centre on 2 December…. Wear a red ribbon and donate a small or a bigger amount to support the continuing work of the Terrence Higgins Trust for people infected with HIV . Thank you very much.


Social gatherings at Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland : Change of date

Due to another commitment, the showing of the film ‘Sordid Lives’ will take place on Tuesday 18 December from 7-9pm at Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness IV1 1NB and not on 11 December as previously announced. We look forward to welcoming you.


Best wishes


Agnes Boes
Health Promotion Specialist - Highland

World Aids Day 2007

Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland
World Aids Day 2007


Kita’s Cards
Terrence Higgins Trust, Highland Services are fundraising through sales of Christmas cards designed for World Aids Day by local artist Kita Mackintosh. 50% of the sale of these cards goes to Terrence Higgins Trust. These cards will be for sale at most of the events.

26th November – 1st December 2007. The North Highland College, Alness is raising awareness around HIV and fundraising activities are being organised by the students throughout the week.

29th November 2007. The North Highland College, Thurso are having a ‘Raising Awareness Day’ around HIV. This will involve 3 talks to students about what it means to be HIV positive in the UK, the West and Worldwide by Agnes Boes, Health Promotion Specialist of Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland, Highland Services.

30th November 2007. Inverness College, Longman Road, Inverness are having a St Andrews/Tartan/Aids Awareness Day at the college. Fundraising activities are being organised by the students. The Terrence Higgins Trust is also going to have a stall at the college at noon.

26th November – 1st December 2007. Highland Council, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness. The staff will be encouraged to wear a red ribbon and the Highland Council have said they will make a donation.

1st December – 2nd December 2007. Cocoa Mountain, Balnakeil Craft Village, Durness IV27 4PT. Cocoa Mountain are makers of wonderful chocolate. They are going to make a donation to Terrence Higgins Trust based on the sales in their shop in Durness and on the Farmers’ market in Inverness on 1st December 2007 and at the THT stall in the Eastgate Centre on 2nd December 2007. 26th November 2007 – 1 December 2007. Blythswood, Deephaven Industrial Estate, Evanton has agreed to do a collection. Donation boxes will be issued to all Blythswood shops in Highland and Grampian.

30th November 2007 11.00am – Midnight. Fundraising event Bar Pivo, 38-40 Academy Street, Inverness, IV1 1JT throughout the day customers at Bar Pivo will be offered a condom and a red ribbon to show their support for World Aids Day. Information will also be available to raise awareness of HIV and reduce stigma, whilst raising money for the Terrence Higgins Trust.

26th November 2007 – 1st December 2007. Terrence Higgins Trust, Highland Services are fundraising through sales of photographs exhibited at the office, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness IV1 1NB. Open every day from 9.30am – 5.30pm.

19th November – 9th January 2008. The Village Green, Fairtrade Shop, Sea View, Lochinver is fundraising by selling Kita’s Christmas cards and is displaying collection tins.

26th November 2007 – 1st December 2007. Trawler Restaurant, Main Street, Golspie, Sutherland is raising money and awareness through the sale of Kita’s Christmas cards, distributing red ribbons and displaying collection tins.

2nd December 2007. THT Scotland Highland Services, stall at Eastgate Shopping Centre. Information and fundraising through red ribbons and sales of chocolates, Kita’s Christmas cards and photographs.

If you have a fundraising idea, please contact us.
We can supply you with red ribbons, collection boxes and posters

Would you like to make a donation towards World Aids Day?
You can send us a cheque made payable to Terrence Higgins Trust
or come to the office at 34 Waterloo Place, Inveness IV1 1NB

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

gay websites

Collaboration Highland Library services and Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland:

Unfiltered access to gay websites in libraries.

At THT several service users who have no access to the internet at home and who often live in very remote areas complained that when using the internet facilities at their local library, they couldn’t access gay websites due to filters placed on them. The internet often being the only way to find information about gay-related issues, they felt very disappointed and even more isolated. The successful collaboration between Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland and Highland Library Services resulted in unfiltered access to a whole range of gay websites. Included you find a list of all the websites that are now filter-free.

For young LGBT people (under 16 years of age)

http://www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/
This website is a forum for young LGBT people and focuses on Scotland. Please could you make access to this website available to people under 16 years of age.

http://www.ygm.org.uk/
Terrence Higgins Trust website for young gay men. Please could you make access to this website available to people under 16 years of age.


For adults and young people

http://www.tht.org.uk/:
website of Terrence Higgins Trust, chairty for sexual health and HIV

http://www.healthygayscotland.com/
promotes the sexual health and well being of gay and bisexual men living in Scotland.

http://www.chapsonline.org.uk/
partnership of community-based organisations, co-ordinated by THT. HIV and health promotion.

http://www.gmfa.org.uk/
gay men’s health charity

http://www.deafqueer.org/
The Deaf Queer Resource Center (DQRC) is a national nonprofit resource and information center for, by and about the Deaf Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Intersex and Questioning communities (hereafter referred to as the "Deaf Queer community"). This is "the place" to find the most comprehensive and accurate information about this unique community.

http://www.regard.org.uk/
National organisation of Disabled Lesbians, Gay Men, Bisexuals and Transgendered People
They have an email group or 'e-group' called Regard Online, where people can share regular news and views, and another e-group called Regard Chat, where members can talk about whatever they want. They also publish a regular newsletter and have this website

Website for older gay men (Accessible for people over 16)

http://www.caffmoscommunity.com/

Other social networking gay websites (accessible for people over 16)

http://www.outeverywhere.com/
gay social networking

http://www.jaketm.com/
Jake is a social network. We encourage members to get as much professional benefit out of the community as possible at no cost. Advertise your company/services on your profile, apply for jobs, use the forums, or just use Jake to meet new people. It is a tool for people looking for a slightly more sophisticated approach to personal and professional interaction. or pewfessional interaction and we are constantly adding new features to make meeting people easier and more fun.
http://www.circa-club.com/
gay professional network

http://www.ukblackout.com/
To provide a space to disseminate information and for black LGBT people to interact and discuss issues that are relevant to them

http://www.whispers4u.com/
We are providing a disabled dating and disabled chat site in order to provide a service for persons with and without disabilities regardless of their status or sexual orientation to meet disabled persons from around the world for friendship, penpals, dating, long term relationships, disabled chat or just for fun and new friends.
You will be in good company as everyone here either has a disability, disabled in a wheelchair or is open to having a differently - abled person for friendship - penpals – disabld dating or relationships. So be yourself and make some new friends today!

Gay dating websites: Registration is only possible for people over 18 years of age.

http://www.gaydar.co.uk/

http://www.mand8.com/

http://www.bent.com/

http://www.fitlads.net/

Report homophobic/transphobic incidents

New Initiative

Collaboration Northern Constabulary - Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland

Police Drop-in at Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland

`Your opportunity to discuss/report incidents.

Is there an issue that you would like to discuss with the police?

Do you feel intimidated or afraid to walk into a police station?

Do you encounter homophobia, transphobia and would you like to report it?

Is there an incident that you would like to report?

From now on you can talk to the police safely and discretely at Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland. In collaboration with the Northern Constabulary we organise a bi-monthly police drop-in. During the drop-in hours you can phone in, meet and talk about or report any incident or safety worry you have with them. A member of staff of Terrence Higgins Trust can be present if you would like this support.

Reporting incidents is important, even if you do not want to take it any further. Only in this way the police can know what is going on in different areas of the city and the Highlands.

Police drop-in schedule:

Last Wednesday of every other month starting November 2007, alternating at noon or early evening. No appointment necessary.

November 2007 28/11 1-2pm

January 2008 30/01 5-6pm

March 26/03 1-2pm

May 28/05 5-6pm

Where? At Terrence Higgins Trust, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness. Tel: 01463 711 585

Programme November 2007

Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland
Highland Programme November 2007

Social gatherings

Tuesday 06 12-2 pm at THT LGBT lunch drop-in. Come and have your lunch at THT with your friends or meet some new ones. Browse through the brochures, ask us questions. Tea, coffee and soup provided by THT

Wednesday 14 7-9pm at THT T group (1) Make-up session with professional make-up artist Ronald Flint

Tuesday 20 International Transgender Awareness Day

Wednesday 21 4-6pm at THT LGBT youth: social drop-in

Tuesday 27 7-9pm at THT Lesbian Film: When Night is Falling

Sexual Health Programme

Thursday 01 9.30-11.30am at THT Needle exchange (2)

Monday 05 12-2pm at THT Drop-in for sex workers (3)

Tuesday 06 5-7pm at THT Needle exchange
5-7pm at THT Test clinic (4)

Thursday 08 9.30-11.30am at THT Needle exchange

Tuesday 13 5-7pm at THT Needle exchange
5-7pm at THT Test clinic

Thursday 15 9.30-11.30am at THT Needle exchange

Monday 19 12-2pm at THT Drop-in for sex workers

Tuesday 20 5-7pm at THT Needle exchange
5-7pm at THT Test clinic

Thursday 22 9.30-11.30am at THT Needle exchange

Tuesday 27 5-7pm at THT Needle exchange
5-7pm at THT Test clinic

Thursday 29 9.30-11.30am at THT Needle exchange

(1) T group: for those who identify as Transgender - in all its variety
(2) Needle exchange: Intravenous drug users can come in and exchange needles, find information about sexual health and be tested.
(3) Drop-in for sex workers: Off or on street sex workers can come to THT for a chat, to relax and talk with other sex workers, to have a cup of tea, to get information concerning sexual health (including testing and needle exchange)
(4) Test clinic: free and confidential testing, HIV, HepatitisB, HepatitisC and Chlamydia
THT: Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness IV1 1NB Tel: 01463 711 585

Movies November - December 2007

Social gatherings with movies in November and December

Tuesday 27 November 7pm at THT

When Night is Falling

Camille and Martin are in love and teachers at a christian college; they get the opportunity to get a better job, but they would have to marry for that. But when Camille's dog dies, she recognizes that her love for Martin is not even as big as the love for her dog. After that, Camille gets to know Petra, and Petra falls in love with Camille. They meet again, but Camille is very unsure about her feelings. When Martin is away for a weekend, Camille and Petra meet in the Circus where Petra is working as an acrobat. They spend the night together, but Martin finds out about it and is shocked. He has an argument with Camille, and she goes burying her dog in the snow, and falls asleep...

Tuesday 11 December 7pm at THT

Sordid Lives

Del Shores' feature film debut is a hilarious trip into the lives of a Southern "redneck" family with a star-studded cast. Olivia Newton-John plays a honky-tonk lesbian singer named Bitsy Mae. Delta Burke plays Noleta Nethercott who gets revenge from her cheating husband G.W. (Beau Bridges). G.W. had killed Grandma Peggy after a sudden accident with his wooden leg tripping her in the bathroom sink. Grandma Peggy is survived by her daughters Latrelle (Bonnie Bedelia) and LaVonda (Ann Walker) and drag-queen son Earl "Brother Boy" (Leslie Jordan). Brother Boy had been sent to an institution to get him "de-homosexualized" by a bitch of a psychiatrist, Dr. Eve Bolinger (Rosemary Alexander). All Brother Boy wants to do is dress up as Tammy Wynette and continue her legend. It's not enough to have a gay brother, but Latrelle is also in denial about her closeted son Ty (Kirk Geiger). Add to the cast Beth Grant who plays Sissy, the neighbor who fails miserably trying to quit smoking. Leave your PC card out the door and enjoy this hilarious movie.

newsletter November 2007

Dear Friend,



I am very happy to provide you with our programme for November and December. Apart from the social drop-in, we try every month to bring something different for a specific strand of the LGBT community. In November there is a lesbian and in December a gay movie. The trans movie last month was a great success: many people watched it and enjoyed this very beautiful film.

I also have some new things to announce:

Collaboration Highland Library services and Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland: Unfiltered access to gay websites in libraries.
At THT several service users who have no access to the internet at home and who often live in very remote areas complained that when using the internet facilities at their local library, they couldn’t access gay websites due to filters placed on them. The internet often being the only way to find information about gay-related issues, they felt very disappointed and even more isolated. The successful collaboration between Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland and Highland Library Services resulted in unfiltered access to a whole range of gay websites. Included you find a list of all the websites that are now filter-free.

Ninth Annual Transgender day of Remembrance
20th November 2007
The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to commemorate those who were killed as a result of hatred or prejudice directed towards transgendered people. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, whose murder on November 28th, 1998 kicked off the “Remembering Our Dead” web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved. The “Remembering Our Dead” site currently lists 350 victims of violence.
Why not set aside a few minutes on Sunday, 20th November to remember victims of transphobic murders?

Collaboration Northern Constabulary - Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland

Police Drop-in at Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland
`Your opportunity to discuss/report incidents.

Is there an issue that you would like to discuss with the police?
Do you feel intimidated or afraid to walk into a police station?
Do you encounter homophobia, transphobia and would you like to report it?
Is there an incident that you would like to report?

From now on you can talk to the police safely and discretely at Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland. In collaboration with the Northern Constabulary we organise a bi-monthly police drop-in. During the drop-in hours you can meet and talk about or report any incident or safety worry you have with them. A member of staff of Terrence Higgins Trust can be present if you would like this support. Reporting incidents is important, even if you do not want to take it any further. Only in this way the police can know what is going on in different areas of the city and the highlands.

Police drop-in schedule:

Last Wednesday of every other month starting November 2007, alternating at noon or early evening. No appointment necessary.

November 28/11 1-2pm
January 30/01 5-6pm
March 26/03 1-2pm
May 28/05 5-6pm

Where? At Terrence Higgins Trust, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness. Tel: 01463 711 585


I hope that you will have a nice November month and I look forward to seeing you at one of our activities


Best wishes




Agnes Boes
Health Promotion Specialist - Highland