Sense Project

Head & Hands is hosting its first rapid HIV testing clinic TODAY, World AIDS day, December 1st, 2010 between 5 and 8pm. This free service is available for youth aged 12 to 25.

Rapid testing allows people to get results in approximately 10 minutes. This is in contrast to conventional HIV testing which typically involves approximately a 2 week lag between getting tested and receiving results. Limited spaces available, so try to come early.

À deux mains offrira pour la première fois sa clinique de dépistage rapide du VIH durant la Journée Mondiale du SIDA, le 1er décembre 2010, entre 17h et 20h. Le service sera offert gratuitement pour les jeunes âgés entre 12 et 25 ans.

Le dépistage rapide permet d’obtenir les résultats en approximativement 10 minutes, alors que les tests de dépistage conventionnels impliquent une attente de 2 semaines entre la réalisation du test et la réception des résultats.

And in honour of World AIDS Day, here’s an awesome article about the importance of talking about sexual health, rather than placing blame: I am HIV Positive and I Don’t Blame Anybody- Including Myself.

The author, Kirk Grisham, believes that rather than pointing fingers at individuals or groups (especially marginalized groups like queer people and people of colour that our society loves to target), we should be focusing our energy on ourselves, and more importantly, on communication.

“Having a conversation is paramount—negotiating whether and how you want to use protection, talking about the last time you were tested and asking the same of your partner.”

From this article we can take a few ideas- Think about your own sexual health. Think about systems of oppression like poverty, racism, and homophobia and how those affect peoples’ sexual health. Get tested. Talk to your partner. While you’re at it, talk to your families, your friends, and your community about sexual health and why these discussions are so important.

If you want to read more, check it out: http://colorlines.com/archives/2010/11/i_am_hiv_positive_and_i_own_my_sexual_health_do_you.html