letter

29 January 2008



Dear Friends,

It feels as if the New Year has just started and February is already making its presence known.

We have some exciting things to announce.

Several people living in quite remote or far away places in the North of Scotland have rung me at regular intervals asking me how they could get in contact with other LGBT people. I thought about this, made a few enquiries and I am happy to announce two initiatives.

Join the lgbtnorthscotland online community
I have created an online lgbt group for the north of Scotland. Lgbtnorthscotland is the online community for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender people in the North of Scotland. It offers lgbt people, in however a remote area they are living, the opportunity to get into contact with other lgbt people. This group is there for you: use it as a forum for discussion, to get to know other people, to make friends, to ask questions, to plan things, to announce LGBT events, etc. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lgbtnorthscotland, join the group, participate, and make it bubble.

Start of an LGBT group in Lochaber
On the 19th of March 2008, the first LgbtLochaber evening will take place at the Fusion Space, The Nevis Centre, An-Aird, Fort William, PH33 6AN. The evening will run from 6.30-9pm. So, LGBT people in Lochaber, what are you waiting for? We are looking forward to meeting you. LgbtLochaber will meet bi-monthly.


Apart from these new initiatives there are of course the monthly LGBT social gatherings and sexual health activities. Included you find the programme.

I hope that you are all well and look forward to seeing you or hearing from you: on the phone, via e-mail, letter or…via the lgbtnorthscotland online group. Nowadays, there is so much choice!

Best wishes


Agnes Boes
Health Promotion Specialist - Highland

Programme February 2008

Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland
Highland Programme February 2008

Social gatherings

Wednesday 13 7-9pm at THT T group
For those who identify as Transgender – in all its variety. Donna Barnett, MGPBT will give information on different hair removal methods.

Tuesday 19 12-2pm 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

Tuesday 26 5-7pm at THT Lesbian Movie ‘High Art’
Come and watch it together with your friends and meet new friends

Wednesday 27 6-9pm at THT HIV Support group
A group for HIV+ people, their partners and people who care for them

New! The online community for the LGBT Community in the North of Scotland. Join the group at

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lgbtnorthscotland. Every day of the month it offers the opportunity to
get in contact with other lgbt people, whether you live in a town or in a very remote area.

You can also find this info. and more on our blog http://thtscotland-highlandservices.blogspot.com

Sexual Health
Monday 04 12-2pm at THT Drop-in for sex workers (1)
Tuesday 05 5-7pm at THT Needle exchange (2)
5-7pm at THT Test clinic (3)
Thursday 07 9.30-11.30am at THT Needle exchange
Tuesday 12 5-7pm at THT Needle exchange
5-7pm at THT Test clinic
Thursday 14 9.30-11.30am at THT Needle exchange
Monday 18 12-2pm at THT Drop-in for sex workers
Tuesday 19 5-7pm at THT Needle exchange
5-7pm at THT Test clinic
Thursday 21 9.30-11.30am at THT Needle exchange
Tuesday 26 5-7pm at THT Needle exchange
5-7pm at THT Test clinic
Thursday 28 9.30-11.30am at THT Needle exchange

(1) 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)
(2) Needle exchange: Intravenous drug users can come in and exchange needles, find information about sexual health and be tested
(3) 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

film - book February 2008

Film Tuesday 26 February 2008 7pm


High Art

101 minutes, United States (1998), 18
Ambition, sacrifice, seduction and other career moves... a nuanced exploration of junk addiction, work trials and sapphic desire
When an ambitious magazine gofer (Mitchell) bumps into a junkie photographer (Sheedy), she detects a gilt-edged career development opportunity and persuades her editors to commission a piece from the artist. But while shepherding the sapphic snapper through her first commercial shoot in 10 years, the editor develops a strong desire for her new friend.

Reading Group March

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides.

As it is quite a big read, I thought it useful to announce it already now. It gives you plenty of time to read a great book. I look forward to hearing your views in March.

Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland
Highland Programme January 2008

Social gatherings

Wednesday 09 7-9pm at THT T group
For those who identify as Transgender – in all its variety

Tuesday 22 12-2pm 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 23 6-9pm at THT HIV Support group
A group for HIV+ people, their partners and people who care for them

Saturday 26 2-4pm at THT Reading group
L book: Calendar Girl by Stella Duffy

Tuesday 29 5-7pm at THT LGBT Youth movie
Summer Storm. Watch this movie together with your friends or meet new friends

Wednesday 30 5-6pm at THT Homophobic/Transphobic Remote Reporting
An opportunity to speak to a police officer in a private and confidential setting

Sexual Health

Monday 07 12-2pm at THT Drop-in for sex workers (1)

Tuesday 08 5-7pm at THT Needle exchange (2)

5-7pm at THT Test clinic (3)

Thursday 10 9.30-11.30am at THT Needle exchange

Tuesday 15 5-7pm at THT Needle exchange

5-7pm at THT Test clinic

Thursday 17 9.30-11.30am at THT Needle exchange

Monday 21 12-2pm at THT Drop-in for sex workers (1)

Tuesday 22 5-7pm at THT Needle exchange
5-7pm at THT Test clinic

Thursday 24 9.30-11.30am at THT Needle exchange

Tuesday 29 5-7pm at THT Needle exchange (2)
5-7pm at THT Test clinic (3)

Thursday 31 9.30-11.30am at THT Needle exchange

(1) 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)
(2) Needle exchange: Intravenous drug users can come in and exchange needles, find information about sexual health and be tested
(3) 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

Film and book January 2008

Summer Storm Film Tuesday 29 January

Summer Storm is a multi award-winning, German coming-of-age film directed by Marco Kreuzpaintner. Released in 2004, the film stars Robert Stadlober, Kostja Ullmann, Alicja Bachleda-Curuś, and Marlon Kittel. The story is set to the background of a rowing regatta, which climaxes into a Summer Storm.
Teams from all across Germany descend on a quiet camping ground for a week of training leading up to a final rowing competition. The plot follows the members of the RSC rowing club from southern Germany as they train for the regatta.
The boys are excited by the prospects of camping with a female rowing team from Berlin. However, by a stroke of fate, the Berlin girls’ team cancels and is replaced by Queerschlag ("Queerstrokes"), a gay youth rowing team, and these boys are out proud and camp it up to their full potential.
Amidst the sometimes tense interactions between the members of his team and those of Queerschlag, Tobi (Stadlober) is himself forced to confront his long-time feelings for his friend and team-mate Achim (Ullmann), who is already romantically involved with his girlfriend Sandra (Miriam Morgenstern). Spurned by Achim, Tobi is devastated, but is partly consoled by his new friendship with Queerschlag member Leo (Kittel).
The tension between the members of the two teams culminates in a scene set to the backdrop of a summer storm, during which Leo confronts Tobi about his homosexuality in front of his fellow team-mates. Tobi denies being gay, and, in an attempt to defend him, one of his team-mates tells Tobi’s girlfriend Anke (Bachleda-Curuś) to tell the rest of his team-mates so. Anke, the only person to whom Tobi has confided his secret, remains silent.
Ultimately, Tobi comes out to his fellow team-mates, and his rowing team and Queerschlag go

on to compete in the final regatta.

Calendar Girl by Stella Duffy reading group Saturday 26 January

Stand-up comic Maggie has fallen for "the girl with the Kelly McGillis body", a mysterious woman who can't commit herself. Meanwhile South London detective Saz is hot on the trail of a woman known only as "September", who commutes between London and New York in a whirlwind of drug smuggling, gambling, and high-class prostitution. A murder brings Saz and Maggie and their respective mysteries together. Smart and sexy, Calendar Girl is a lesbian thriller high on attitude and eroticism..
Stella Duffy has written ten novels, the latest Mouths of Babes was published in July this year. State of Happiness (2004) was long listed for the 2004 Orange Prize, and is in development with Fiesta Productions. Stella was born in South London and grew up in New Zealand. She has lived inthe UK since 1986.

Letter December 2007

Dear Friend,


2008 is approaching very quickly but before you embark on holidays and festive activities, I hope that we can still tempt you to come to one of our events.

First of all, please come and visit us at the World Aids Day stall in the Eastgate Centre on 2 December 2008 from 10am-6pm. Support World Aids Day, wear a red ribbon and give a donation to support Terrence Higgins Trust in its fight against HIV and Aids.

Until Christmas, we have an exhibition of photographs by Martin Howard at Terrence Higgins Trust. Again part of the proceeds of the sale of these photographs is donated to support Terrence Higgins Trust in its fight against HIV and Aids. Martin Howard, a keen photographer for more than 30 years lives in the NW of the Highlands. His love for the stunning beauty of the nature of the Highlands inspires him. A keen traveller, he also likes to capture the light and warmth of colour he encounters in these far flung places. So, please do come and visit us at the office, enjoy the pictures while drinking a cup of tea or coffee…and buy one!

There are two important dates to pencil into your diary:

13 December: End of year celebration for the T-group. Transgender people and their partners are welcome at Terrence Higgins Trust from 7.00pm onwards.

18 December: And last but not least, the gay movie, Sordid Lives. Bring your friends and watch this hilarious movie together at Terrence Higgins Trust. Start at 7pm.

From the team here at the Terrence Higgins Trust, we would like to wish you all a glorious, healthy and joyful 2008.


Agnes Boes
Health Promotion Specialist

Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland
Highland Programme December 2007

Social gatherings

Saturday 01 World Aids Day
Tuesday 04 12-2pm 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.
Thursday 13 7pm-… at THT T group (1): End of year celebration. T-people and
partners welcome.
Tuesday 18 7-9pm at THT G Film: Sordid Lives
Wednesday 19 4-6pm at THT LGBT youth: social drop-in


Sexual Health

Monday 03 12-2pm at THT Drop-in for sex workers (2)

Tuesday 04 5-7pm at THT Needle exchange (3)

Thursday 06 9.30-11.30am at THT Needle exchange

Tuesday 11 5-7pm at THT Needle exchange

Thursday 13 9.30-11.30am at THT Needle exchange

Monday 17 12-2pm at THT Drop-in for sex workers

Tuesday 18 5-7pm at THT Needle exchange

Thursday 20 9.30-11.30am at THT Needle exchange

(1) T group: for those who identify as Transgender - in all its variety
(2) 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)
(3) Needle exchange: Intravenous drug users can come in and exchange needles, find information about sexual health and be tested.

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