Queer Radio Brisbane useful LGBTQ health Links

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Health / Sexual Health/ Medical Services

Anyone who has engaged in high-risk behaviour in the last 72 hours is eligible in Queensland for Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). PEP is a course of combination anti-HIV drugs that may decrease the chance of becoming HIV positive. It's not a morning after pill, but a minimum of two, usually three anti-HIV drugs prescribed for a month. All the difficulties associated with combination therapy apply. Always taking HIV drugs on time is imperative for it to be effective, and of course, there are the inevitable side effects of nausea, diarrhoea, headaches, lethargy etc - most of which can be controlled by taking other medications.

PEP is available from the accident and emergency section of major hospitals, sexual health or HIV clinics. (text from http://www.qahc.org.au/hiv )

Private Lives Report - A report on the health and wellbeing of GLBTI Australians

Published 12^th April 2006 by GAY AND LESBIAN HEALTH VICTORIA and THE AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH CENTRE IN SEX, HEALTH & SOCIETY

“The Private Lives study, carried out in early 2005, is one of the largest surveys of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (GLBTI) people ever conducted. It aimed to document aspects of the health and wellbeing of a large sample of GLBTI people in Australia, to explore the impact of factors such as homophobia, discrimination, family and community connection on health and wellbeing, and to investigate aspects of health service use. In all, 5476 people between 16 and 92 years of age (mean age 34) completed the on-line survey. This sample provides us with a detailed picture of the lives of GLBTI in Australia in all their diversity and complexity. Of the sample 63% were male and 35% were female; just over half (52%) identified as a “gay man”, 18% as “lesbian” and 10% as “bisexual”. There were 100 transgender and 18 intersex participants. There was a broadly representational spread of participants from all states and territories, and 22% lived outside major cities (34% in 2001 national census).”

For full details and a downloadable pdf file of the Report go to: http://www.glhv.org.au/?q=node/215

American Psychiatric Association - Answers to Your Questions About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality

Comprehensive, honest answers by an the most eminent organization of psychiatrists to the most frequently asked questions.

http://www.apa.org/pubinfo/answers.html

Attempts To Change Sexual Orientation – Reparative Therapies

University of California Psychology Dept, Davis. An excellent, concise and easily accessible summary of the facts, figures and procedures of various studies on whether sexuality can or ought to be changed. Valuable ammunition as a resource against the arguments of religious fundamentalists.

http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/rainbow/html/facts_changing.html

What about psychotherapy for GLBT people?

From the public health pages of the website of King County, Seattle, Washington USA. A very sensible grouping of straightforward common sense information presented with honesty and integrity.

http://www.metrokc.gov/health/glbt/psychotherapy.htm

"Gay Sex Now" (@Healthy Gay Scotland)

A brand new, comprehensive gay men's support site, with accurate, straightforward information on sex and sexual health. "Gay Sex Now" is just one section of this site.

http://www.hgscotland.org.uk (Healthy Gay Scotland index)

Queensland Association for Healthy Communities (formerly Queensland AIDS Council – name and focus changed June 2006)

The Queensland Association for Healthy Communities (QAHC) promotes the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Queensland. QAHC is engaged in the areas of LGBT Health, Sexual Health, Indigenous Health and fosters community capacity building and development.

www.qahc.org.au

I Stay Safe (Queensland Health’s official youth site)

After several years of being hetero-specific, this website has been amended (~October 2006) to clearly include same sex attracted youth – and in a very positive manner. The site has also been amended to include mention of anal intercourse – unprotected anal intercourse (anal sex without a condom) is one of the highest risk activities for HIV.

Current Queensland Criminal Law defines that even “protected” anal intercourse is a serious crime if any person (male or female) aged under 18 is involved, and is punishable with up to 14 years imprisonment.

Research has proven that most youth simply don’t even consider the law when they’re choosing to do sex, however for the sake of their own health and that of their partner they should always use a condom and water based lubricant when doing either vaginal or anal sex (or when sharing sex toys). Condoms are also recommended for oral sex because there is a very real, although significantly lower, risk of HIV transmission. Regular sexual health checks are important because having any other sexually transmitted infection will dramatically increase the likelihood of HIV transmission.

http://www.health.qld.gov.au/istaysafe/

Queensland Positive People (QPP)

Queensland Positive People (QPP) represents the interests of people living with HIV/AIDS (called PLWHA) in Queensland and is part of a national and international network. We help each other to take charge of our lives, care and destinies. Also involved are our partners, family, and friends who can join and support QPP as well. Our vision statement is "All people living with HIV/AIDS living a full life".

www.qpp.org.au

AIDS.com.au (multi-faceted information resource list)

This website has been set up to help bring to you an understanding of the continuing and devastating impact of AIDS throughout the world. We at Aids.com.au offer free access to a wide selection of information and education websites. This is your chance to make the most of available resources to help in the fight against this virus. At AIDS.com.au, with a choice of the options available from over 300 great websites

http://www.aids.com.au/ (associated site on general health: www.healthinformation.com.au)

Gay and homosexually active Aboriginal men in Sydney (a report)

A report on a 1996 study by the National Centre in HIV Social Research: "This small-scale study aimed to explore urban Aboriginals' views on male homosexual practice and identity, with the hope of finding a way forward for education and prevention initiatives for homosexually active Aboriginal men." A detailed and easy to use site with honest comments from contributors.

http://members.tripod.com/reconciliation/chapple.htm

Medical and Therapy Services:

(phone the GLWA help line 3891 7377 from 7-10pm each night for recommended GP’s and other services near you)

Gay and Lesbian Health Service / Gladstone Road Medical Centre

Medical care by and for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders.

Gladstone Road, Highgate Hill - at the corner of Prospect Terrace.

Ph: 3844 9599

Stonewall Medical Centre

Newmarket Road, Cnr. Swan Street, Windsor.

(Now owned and run by Dr Wendell Rosevear – with LGBT doctors as co-workers).

Ph: 3857 1222

Central Brunswick Medical Centre