Newsletter

Dear friends,
To celebrate LGBT History month a story telling event focusing on the lives of elderly lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people in Scotland was organised on the 26th February 2009 in
Inverness. It was a joined initiative of Help the Aged and THT. Twenty five LGBT people from Highland and Grampian attended the event. The moving and varied life stories were told by five lovely people, their age ranging from sixty one to mid seventies. They illustrated what it meant to grow up as an LGBT person in Scotland, highlighted the positive changes which have happened in recent times and honoured the groundbreaking lives they have all lead. 'High tea' was savoured and all participants commented on what an enjoyable night it had been.
Aged together with Terrence Higgins Trust hope that this event will be the start of a longer term project around LGBT issues of elderly people in Highland / Argyll & Bute. Get involved and come along on 9 April, 6.30 pm at the Dunbar Centre, 86 Church Street, Inverness.

Our counselling services
At THT we consider counselling an integral part of a good quality sexual health service. Individuals and couples are welcome to talk through any issues or concerns that may be impacting on their sexual health and wellbeing such as sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, sexual assault and rape, childhood sexual abuse, post termination, miscarriage, transgender, gender dysphoria and sexual offending. Our counselling services are strictly confidential and non judgemental. It is free of charge although donations are welcome. Available to people living in Highland and Argyll and Bute.
For appointments, please ring 01463 711 585

THT Scotland is consulting on a new version of our campaigning document HIV and Sexual Health: 20 things Government in Scotland can do. Between now and May 1st we are looking for suggestions. on the issues you think we should be prioritising. Any idea that would have an impact on the lives of people with HIV, or would improve Scotland's sexual health, is welcome.
Please send your ideas to catherine.murphy@tht.org.uk.
And look at http://www.tht.org.uk/informationresources/publications/policyreports/20thingsscotland803.pdf

Volunteers wanted
Are you interested in sexual health and LGBT issues? Do you have some free time and would you like to do some volunteering? If your answer is yes and yes again, then please do not
hesitate to contact us on 01463 711585 or email agnes.boes@tht.org.uk
for more information and to receive the application pack.

Complementary Care at THT
At Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland, it is our aim to provide our service users with an holistic sexual health service. This includes complementary care.
A group of qualified practitioners are offering acupuncture, dietary advice, massage, metamorphic technique, and osteopathy at THT, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness.
Sessions are available every day of the week. For more information please ring Agnes Boes. Sessions last up to one hour. For each session a donation of £10 is welcomed. Appointments can be made by phoning 01463 711585. Cancellations need to be notified 24 hours in advance

Contact us!
Agnes Boes
Health Promotion Specialist: Highland
Email: agnes.boes@tht.org.uk
34 Waterloo Place Inverness IV1 1NB
Tel: 01463 711 585

Katrina Mitchell
Health Promotion Specialist: Argyll & Bute
Email: katrina.mitchell@tht.org.uk
134 Douglas Street Glasgow G2 4HF
Tel: 0141 332 3838

Social Gatherings

T GROUP
For those who identify as Transgender - in all its variety.
8 April 7-9pm
THT, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness

LGBT CAITHNESS SOCIAL GROUP
All LGBT people welcome. Contact John on 07749 517826 for more information.
Thursday 9 April 7-9pm
Community Learning & Leisure Office, Princess Street, Thurso, Caithness

MEN EVENING
A social group for men who identify as gay, bisexual, queer..........
Wednesday 1 April and 6 May 7-9pm
THT, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness

HEP C POSITIVE SUPPORT GROUP
A group to meet other people who are HEP C+, whether on treatment or not.
Tuesday 7 April 5pm - 6.30pm
THT, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness

LGBT LOCHABER SOCIAL GROUP
Group meets every other month. Contact Agnes on 01463 711585 for further information
No activity in April

HIV POSITIVE SUPPORT GROUP
Friday 24 April 12 noon - 2pm
THT, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness

WOMEN EVENING: CHAI AND A CHAT
A social group for women who are lesbian, bisexual, queer..........
Tuesday 7 and 21 April 7pm - 9pm
THT. 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness

THE PINK CASTLE PHILOSOPHY CLUB
Discussion around question: 'Civil Partnerships - a chance to add to the problems made by marriage over millennia?'
Tuesday 14 April 7pm - 9pm
THT, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness
Walk and Talk: A 1 hour gentle walk followed by tea and talk around a 'philosophical question'
Sunday 10 May

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
Monday 6 April 2009 from 3.30pm – 5.00pm
Monday 20 April 2009 from 3.30pm – 5.00pm

Film

MOVIE EVENING: Third Man Out
Gay private detective Donald Strachey (Chad Allen) finds himself in over his head when he takes on a complicated case involving the 'outing' of politicians in this terrific, fast-paced adaptation of the popular mystery by Richard Stevenson. Sean Carey and Jack Wetherall co-star as Strachey's lover and client, and porn star Matthew Rush has a memorable cameo.
Wednesday 22 April 7-9 pm
THT, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness

March 2009

Dear Friends,

Let’s hope you have enjoyed the snow, the ice and the really cold weather and are ready for the month that announces spring, March.

The first women’s evening was a very
productive evening as it resulted in a new initiative: 'Chai and a chat'. With ‘Chai and a chat’ we want to offer women (however they identify themselves: lesbian, bisexual, queer…) a cosy space to meet other women, to have a cup of tea (chai) and a chat. This may lead to themed evening
discussions around topics, to evenings where a speaker is invited to give
information around a chosen subject, or just to an evening that gives women the opportunity to socialise with other women. What will happen is decided by the women themselves. Carrie, Eveline or Agnes will be facilitating the group which will meet
fortnightly, every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from 7-9pm at the Terrence Higgins Trust office in Inverness.

Volunteers wanted

Are you interested in sexual health and LGBT issues? Do you have some free time and would you like to do some
volunteering? If your answer is yes to both questions, then please do not
hesitate to contact us. We always
welcome volunteers.

In Highland we are particularly looking for people who would like to do reception and administration work, a coordinator for health promotion activities at this year’s festivals, and people who are
interested in outreach.

Please email agnes.boes@tht.org.uk
for more information and to receive the
application pack.

Free condoms by post!

If you’re interested in this free service, just get in touch and let us know what you need. And if you’re not exactly sure what to order, call us to discuss it, or just ask for a variety pack!

Social gatherings

T Group
For those who identify as Transgender
— in all its variety. 11 March 7-9pm
THT, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness

LGBT Caithness Social Group
All LGBT people welcome. Contact John on 07749 517826 for more information.
Thursday 12 March 7-9pm
Community Learning & Leisure office
Princess Street, Thurso Caithness

MEN EVENING A social group for men who identify as gay, bisexual, queer ... Wednesday 4 March 7-9pm
THT, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness

Hep C Positive Support Group
A group to meet other people who are HepC+, whether on treatment or not.
Tuesday 3 March 5pm-6.30pm
THT, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness

LGBT LOCHABER SOCIAL GROUP
Group meets every other month. Contact Agnes on 01463 711 585 for more
information No activity in March

HIV positive support group
Friday 27 March 12noon-2pm
THT, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness
WOMEN EVENING: Chai and a Chat
A social group for women who are
lesbian, bisexual, queer
Tuesdays 3 and 17 March, 7pm-9pm
THT, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness

THE PINK CASTLE PHILOSOPHY CLUB This month: Walk and talk
It's a walk for those terrified at the prospect of climbing a Munro. Sunday 8 March at 3pm meet at the Dores Beach car park and we do a 1 hours gentle walk around the Torr.
After the walk we talk while taking tea in the newly revamped Dores Inn. Question: 'What good comes from
being gay?' For people who might not have transport, please call 07745 930383. Lifts can be organised.

MOVIE EVENING: Fire
1996, Canada, Deepa Mehta
Powerful family drama and the first
Indian film to deal explicitly with
lesbianism. Despite generating a storm of controversy, it's actually an even-handed portrayal of two women's search for freedom in contemporary New Delhi
Wednesday 25 March 7-9 pm
THT, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness