THEGAYUK

Category: Wellness

  • What’s it like to give up everything and start again?

    What’s it like to give up everything and start again?

    Former Barrister Neil Seligman seemingly had it all, a successful career, a beautiful home, a loving boyfriend… but he felt stuck. Here’s his story.

    In the last months of my career as a Barrister there were signs telling me that something was off in my life. My relationship with my boyfriend was no longer bringing me joy, inspiration, or fun. (If I am honest, there was a voice in my head for quite a while telling me to jump ship on that one, long before I had the courage to do so). In addition, my scalp felt like it was pushing the hair on my head out with boiling daggers (a very bizarre and unpleasant feeling) and I was feeling less and less inspired by the content of my work, even though I still found the skills I was using, challenging and fun.

    I probably could have gone on like that for a long time but as history now has it, in quick succession, I left my partner and my job and embarked on a new chapter of discovery and transformation. I learned one or two things along the way, and now 10 years on, feel inspired to share some of them here, in case they may be useful on your journey.

    Acknowledge Where You Are

    “When misaligned, the body gives direct sensations as feedback to direct you towards new thoughts, actions, and behaviours”

    Back in 2008 as a successful Barrister, it was hard for me to acknowledge that I was unhappy. I had so many ways of spinning it to my friends, colleagues, and even myself – to convince myself all was well. Yet when I was alone and quiet, I knew deeply that something was off in my life.

    If this is you right now, breathe deep, and allow yourself to feel the imbalance, as this is important data. Where do you feel it? In your body, heart, emotions, anxious thoughts, or is it a full-body / full-being experience? Really notice what your symptoms are and where they are showing up.

    When misaligned, the body gives direct sensations as feedback to direct you towards new thoughts, actions, and behaviours. Become familiar with your symptoms of imbalance so you can allow them to propel you forward, and so you will feel the contrast when you find greater balance.  

    LaughingRaven / Pixabay

    Gather your Allies

    “choose your allies carefully and don’t expect everyone who you would hope to be there for you”

    Having a network around you that supports your shift is highly desirable, if not essential. Allies can be a team of friends, family members, and/or professional helpers. I was exceptionally lucky to find champions in my new partner, teacher, and a few key friends who knew what I was capable of, and could hold me in my new energy, rather than tethering me to my old identity. They could see who I was becoming and were not attached to an old idea of me.

    This was much more challenging for some other key players in my life who were more invested than me in my identity as Barrister – so choose your allies carefully and don’t expect everyone who you would hope to be there for you, to be able to. They perform a different function, stress-testing your resolve, and don’t worry, they will come around later.

    Assess the practicalities optimistically

    “Do not under-estimate your courage and your ability to make things work”

    When looking at the pre-leap practicalities with a harshly rational eye they often do not stack up well, but leap anyway. You are likely quite comfortable right now with finances and your future trajectory relatively predictable and safe, yet you are also probably paying a price in terms of waning wellbeing, creativity, and inspiration. Do not under-estimate your courage and your ability to make things work when you need to. You cannot foresee all the opportunities that will flow to you when you make this change. Scan the horizon optimistically, and expect to be tested but also delightfully surprised.

    Make Peace with Your Decision

    “Remember you are choosing the road less travelled”

    There are going to be many days ahead when you question what you did and why you did it, so now is the opportunity to get really clear on your intention and vision for your new life. This will be invaluable down the line to return to when the doubts creep in, or the going gets tough. Remember you are choosing the road less travelled, and whilst the rewards are great here, the price of passage in terms of uncomfortable personal growth and increased self-awareness can be high.

    Now is the time to complete the following sentences in your notes:

    I am leaving my current situation because:

    My intention is to create:

    In my vision of my future self I am:   

    In my vision of my future self I feel:   

    Leap and the Net will Appear

    “Don’t let anyone convince you for a second that you cannot fly”

    You will never feel that you have enough money in the bank, a good enough plan, a clear enough map, sufficient support, or courage, but at some point, you need to just leap anyway.

    Like the monkey travelling through the jungle on the vines, you have to let go of the last vine before grabbing hold of the next. In that moment between vines, the monkey is in freefall: suspended mid-air – the monkey is flying.

    Just like the monkey, you don’t have wings – but don’t let anyone convince you for a second that you cannot fly. You were born to soar joyfully through this life, and the helpers are all around.

    Leap and the net will appear.

     

    Neil offers Breakthrough Coaching and Soul Ignition Retreats to support clients through personal transformation. www.neilseligman.com

    Follow @mindfulneil on Instagram for inspiring daily posts and weekly videos on Instagram and YouTube.

  • Should you be taking Viagra and poppers together?

    Should you be taking Viagra and poppers together?

    “…a significant drop in the blood pressure that can lead to collapse and death”

    CREDIT: TheGayUK

    Those are the words of a doctor who is warning users that mixing Viagra and poppers together could cause some real damage to health, after a new study revealed that over half (55 percent) of people who use Viagra have also used poppers alongside them. Over half of those said they had no idea of the dangers of mixing.

    In the survey by AssuredPharmacy over 1400 people were questioned about their popper usage, 80 percent admitted to using poppers and over half admitted to using poppers regularly.

    Aside from a headache, potential skin burns and fainting, poppers are known to cause a drop in blood pressure, and mixing with Viagra according to one doctor, could be very dangerous.

    Speaking to THEGAYUK.com Dr. Roisin McHugh BSc, MBBS, MRCGP, DRCOG, DCH, DGM, DPD said, “Alkyl nitrites, commonly known as poppers, if taken in combination with sildenafil (Viagra) can have a dangerous effect. The combination will cause a drop in blood pressure, this can be a significant drop in the blood pressure that can lead to collapse and death”

    Are poppers safe?

    Many gay and bisexual men use poppers and don’t suffer any issues, however, their usage does come with warnings. For instance, they can cause death if swallowed. Also, people who have heart problems should stay away from using them – especially when combined with other medications, such as Viagra. They can cause a person’s blood pressure to drop incredibly low.

    Doctor McHugh also warned about skin burns, saying, “Poppers cause chemical burns if you get the liquid on your skin and don’t wash it off with water quickly enough. In rare cases, there are also some reports that poppers can cause impaired vision or sight loss, although this may be reversible if you stop using them. If you abuse them heavily you can experience crusty yellow facial skin lesions around the lips, nose and mouth”.

    In 2014 optometrists warned about vision loss in those who habitually use poppers. There have been reports of temporary and permanent vision loss. It is referred to as “poppers maculopathy”.

    If you experience any issues with your eyesight you should seek medical advice.

     

     

  • Can you catch syphilis from oral?

    Can you catch syphilis from oral?

    Syphilis can be spread through all manner of sexual encounters and oral sex is one of them.

    Can you catch syphilis from oral sex
    Bru-nO / Pixabay

    Startling statistics from 2016 show that gay and bisexual men make up 90 percent of new syphilis infections in London and that London’s rate is three times higher than the rest of England – so syphilis is clearly a very infectious disease.

    Syphilis can be spread by vaginal, oral and anal sex or genital contact with an infected person. Most cases of syphilis are treatable with antibiotics and it is preventable through safer sex practices which include using condoms, regularly being tested and avoiding overlapping sexual relationships.

    Speaking to THEGAYUK.com Doctor Rick Viney said, “It’s very easy to contract syphilis in this way (through oral) It will present with an obvious ulcer on a mucosal surface in the mouth but will be painless”.

    How do you know that you have syphilis?

    There are no specific symptoms for syphilis. There will be the presence of one or more painless but highly infectious sores (primary infection) which appear at the site of infection. These sores disappear within two to six weeks in the absence of treatment.

    Secondary symptoms may develop six weeks to six months after the initial sores. Later symptoms are highly variable, but may include a rash on the palms or soles.

    Late syphilis occurs four or more years after an untreated primary infection. Complications may occur in the mucocutaneous tissue, heart, respiratory tract or central nervous system.

    How is syphilis diagnosed?

    Syphilis can be diagnosed via a simple blood test, which can be provided at a sexual health clinic.

    How can you protect against syphilis?

    Syphilis is preventable with the use of condoms when having sex – vaginal, anal and oral. You can use dental dams for oral sex. Regular sexual health screening will also help combat the spread.

     

     

  • Is addiction really a problem in the gay community?

    Is addiction really a problem in the gay community?

    Leading Psychotherapist and Founder of Natural supplement brand Eudaemon Jane Barnfield Jukes reveals what you can do to step towards an addiction-free life.

    (C) BIGSTOCK

    The comedienne, Hannah Gadby in one of her sketches asks “Why is it that from birth men and women are assigned to opposing teams? Pink and blue.”

    The societal norms created around sexuality are simply not fit for purpose. If you don’t belong to either team, the path of discovery you find yourself on can be full of cracks and potholes. Tripping over these obstacles can result in feelings of deep insecurity, anxiety and conflict. People struggle with “not knowing.” Until society addresses and accepts the diversity inherent in the population, people will experience the suffering associated with “Who am I?” and “Where do I fit?” When caught in this struggle it can be quite tempting to turn to drugs and alcohol to help ease the strain.

    Over the years research has led to the creation of certain beliefs around substance misuse and addiction. Some believe that it plays a role in our “life script.” Others feel that is used as a crutch to numb the pain and anxiety they feel. More recently others state that it can be viewed as an attachment issue – we become attached to the substance as it can never leave and will always be there for us.

    Whatever the reasons they are certainly complex and are personal to each us.

    What we, as therapists, have noticed when working with members of the LGBT community is that aspects of this environment can present our clients with even more of a challenge on their road to recovery.

    Some say the LGBT community has a more hedonistic culture with less clearly defined boundaries. Less restraints may lead to more risk-taking behaviour in turn leading to shame and regret, often turning to substances to help alleviate the discord this conflict brings. Once addicted the prevalence of drugs and alcohol in the LGBT community can make kicking the habit very difficult. In addition, it can be hard to find the willpower to refrain from substance misuse as often the strongest attachments and bonds are with people who have the same exposure to this vibrant environment.

    Famous sociologist, Helen Fischer, suggests that some drugs mimic the same reaction in the brain as being in love – a strong attachment in and of itself. Some substances certainly take away our inhibitions and help us feel like we are more “ourselves.”

    A widely used term these days is self-medicating. A more positive view of this might be that people are merely searching, trying to help themselves find relief.

    (C) BIGSTOCK

    Here are some helpful tips to help you help yourself

    You might want to find an experienced therapist familiar with addiction issues who, in a non-judgemental environment, will help you work out what is going on with you, help you to take responsibility and encourage you to be honest with yourself. You may find your conscious mind may very much want to change your addictive behaviours, but your unconscious mind might have very different ideas. Psychologists call this the paradoxical injunction. Therapeutic intervention may help you place your conscious mind in the driver’s seat and enable you to take control.

    Set realistic goals for yourself defined by you and not society.

    Delegate to the page – keep a diary that way you can recognise triggers and helpful, as well as hindering, behaviours. You might find it helpful to keep and a detailed and honest drink diary.

    Try engaging in groups that refrain from substance misuse.

    Developing a bank of poems, mantras and mindfulness techniques that you can turn to in stressful times can be helpful.

    Find a substance abuse group.

    Engage in meaningful activities – make a difference.

    Most importantly when trying to abstain or cut down on substances should a slip or relapse occur be kind to yourself. Don’t engage in catastrophic thinking – we would encourage you to reframe it as a slip or bump in the road on your path to a healthier way of being.

    By Jane Barnfield Jukes from www.eudeamon.com and Daniel Avital, 
www.thepractice.co.uk

  • How to avoid toxic masculinity at the gym

    How to avoid toxic masculinity at the gym

    Don’t let toxic masc bros stop you from getting fit.

    CREDIT: bigstock-sorali

    The toxic masculinity mentality is so outdated it makes me want to puke. However, the gym is one of those places that both attracts bros and then further encourages bro-behaviour. So no matter where you train, from the plushest health club to the most bare-bones 24-hour gym, you’ll encounter these assholes at one point or another. Wearing their backwards caps and shouting at their bros to smash out another rep.

    It’s enough to deter any gay man, woman, or newcomer from ever daring to set foot in the free weights section. To that, we say FUCK NO! The time has come to take a stand against this crap, so here are a few things you can do to combat toxic masculinity in your gym.

    1. Be gay!

    via GIPHY

    Well done, you’ve already accomplished this one. So if you’re gay then don’t be afraid to act it. You don’t have to hide your camp-ness at home, with friends, or at work, and you shouldn’t suddenly have to in the gym.

    Listen to your Lady Gaga full volume, wear unicorn leggings, go to Jazzercise, and just be yourself. This isn’t high school gym class anymore.

    2. Train with a girl-friend

    via GIPHY

    Work to dispel the bullshit male/female divide in gyms and get training with your girl friends. Get them into the weights section and help them feel confident doing pull ups and bench pressing with barbells. Then hop on the elliptical with them and do your cardio. There are no “male exercises” and no “female exercises”, just different training goals.

    Women and men can both work to be stronger and fitter, side by side. #gayfitness [Tweet this if you agree!]

    3. Get strong

    CREDIT: Dean-Drobot-bigstock

    If there is a homophobic piece of shit in the gym, then the best way to show this toxic creep that he’s outdated and obsolete is to get strong. Focus on good form and consistency and you’ll progress in your training far quicker than a loud-mouthed bro who’s just looking to slam some weights around. Just watch him try and call you a sissy when you’re benching what he squats.

    1. Don’t become a jerk
    calibra / Pixabay

    When you do get stronger, don’t fall into the trap of becoming a bro yourself. Yes, you’re strong, you know what you’re doing, and you look great, but don’t start acting like the world owes something because you’re buff now.

    Take your training seriously, but don’t take yourself seriously.

    5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

    CREDIT: Flynt-bigstock

    Whether you’re new to this whole gym thing or you’ve been training for years, don’t ever be afraid to ask for help. If you need a spot or you’re unsure, ask someone for help. If they’re not busy or mid-set, then they’ll probably be happy to help.

    No one knows everything, and only toxic assholes act like they do.

  • ADVICE | If I can’t handle a finger, how will I manage a dick?

    ADVICE | If I can’t handle a finger, how will I manage a dick?

    A reader asks advice on whether he’ll ever be able to have anal sex, especially as he finds it uncomfortable fingering himself.

    (C) BIGSTOCK

    Dear TGUK

    I find it quite uncomfortable when fingering myself and i get sore from it. I actually want to try being a bottom but since I can’t handle fingering I don’t think I could do it with another person, what do you think I should do?

    Ty, 18

    Dear Ty

    Everyone’s ass is different and so is its ability to take various sized objects. Barring any medical reason, like anal fissures or piles it sounds as though you just need time and practice. As you’re quite young, the odds of you having fissures or piles is quite slim, but not impossible. If in any doubt you should definitely book to see your GP or visit to a sexual health clinic, who will be able to give you a sexual health check and you can discuss any issues you have.

    In your letter, you didn’t mention whether you use lubrication when you try and finger yourself. If not, you should invest in some lube – but if you’re not in a situation where you can buy lube there are alternatives. There are, however, some liquids you shouldn’t use as a lubricant – these include body lotions and shampoo as these will irritate and potentially make your insides feel like the gates of hell.

    If you can’t get hold of proper lube, it’s best to use a natural, unperfumed oily liquid. When you’re just by yourself there are a number of lube substitutes around the home that you can use, like olive oil, coconut oil, vaseline and aloe vera gel – none of these are good to use during sex with a condom. They will destroy the integrity of the condom. Always use a lube designed for condom usage.

    Also, make sure you cut your nails and smooth them off. It’s important not to have jagged nails as you could catch your insides and cause a tear or rip internally.

    Time is your friend

    The trick with taking anything larger than a finger is time and patience and you should communicate that with anyone you have sex with. Don’t feel rushed into taking the D before you’re ready.

    A word to the wise, it probably will hurt the first time you bottom for someone – and the chances are that you won’t be able to take it for very long either, but with time and practice (either by yourself or with a partner) you will be able to take it for longer and longer.

    Most guys can’t bottom for that long – even though porn can make it seem that they’re taking dick for hours at a time. It’s just one of those unrealistic expectations that gay porn has given us! Most guys cum within minutes of starting penetrative sex, a study found that men can last anywhere from 1 minute to 10 minutes, so you don’t need to be an ass athlete. You can always ask your topper to stop as well. Your body your rules.

    Practice Makes Perfect

    By yourself, after one finger, there are two fingers. Some people may want to try experimenting with various fruits and vegs, but there are some issues with using anything that doesn’t have a flared end. Without the splayed bottom it could disappear up inside you and that’s where problems can really begin. Ideally, you should try and buy a dildo or butt plug designed for ass play.

    Take your time

    There’s no rush – and when it comes to the actual sex take your time. If you’ve got time to prepare, you might want to douche (where you use water to get rid of poop in your anal canal and rectum) and lots of foreplay. Yes, get your guy to rim you and play and finger your butt.

    The advice listed above is not intended to replace or take the place of that of your own doctor, GP or medical professional who knows your full medical history. If in any doubt make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

    Have you got a sexual or emotional dilemma you’d like us to answer? Click here to send us a message.

  • 6 things you need to pack to stay fit while travelling

    6 things you need to pack to stay fit while travelling

    The quest for the beach body doesn’t need to stop once you actually get to the beach.

    (C) BIGSTOCK

    Once you’ve worked your butt off to get trim and sexy(er) for your beach body holiday, it can be tempting to ditch your workout routine the second you clear customs. I’m on holiday, forget the diet.

    And while I wholeheartedly support that (you’ve worked hard, you deserve a break), should you wish to keep up even a small part of your regime whilst away, there are a few things you should pack that can help you.

    1. Trainers

    Duh, I hear you say. But let’s cover the obvious one first. Don’t assume you can do a worthwhile workout in flip-flops, or barefoot. Take a good pair of gym shoes with you for your workouts that could even double up for those long walks around through the city or mountain hikes that you may or may not be inclined to do while away. Pack them in a shoe locker to protect the rest of your bag from dirt and workout odour.

    2. Extra headphones

    I don’t think anyone goes anywhere these days without headphones (well apart from my mother who likes to eavesdrop on the plane). But if you’re looking to workout while abroad, pack an extra set specifically for working out. That way you always have a backup and don’t have to get your travelling headphones sweaty when you’re working out.

    I like to take my Brainwavz Delta Noise Isolating earphones for the plane and my Avanca D1 Bluetooth headphones for working out.

    3. Fitness tracker

    A fitness tracker is a great idea in order to assuage any holiday laziness guilt by keeping track of just how active you are while away. If you’re on a city break or any kind of excursion you could be racking up the steps and burning calories you wouldn’t normally burn sitting at your desk.

    I love my Fitbit Flex 2 as the battery lasts for days and it’s fairly inconspicuous, or if you want something a little more detailed you could grab a Ticwatch S for just £177.99 and download maps and walking tours directly to your watch. Two birds, one stone. Check out our full review of the TicWatch S.

    4. Resistance bands

    Image source: Amazon.co.uk

    Resistance bands are the ultimate on-the-go training tool, extremely portable and endlessly versatile, you can keep up your strength and flexibility training wherever you are in the world.

    5. Therapy balls

    Image source: Amazon.co.uk

    Giggle, balls. Joking aside, a good pair of balls could be a lifesaver on your next trip, even if you don’t plan of working out. A compact alternative to a foam roller, therapy balls can help release tight shoulders, sore feet, or anything else that aches. They nix tightness and keep our muscles feeling good wherever we go.

    6. Packable yoga mat

    Image source: Amazon.co.uk

    These are great even if you have no intention of doing a single sun salutation. The simple act of laying out your mat creates a specific workout space in your hotel room, and the constant visual will remind you that you could spend a few minutes working out or stretching or planking.

    The eKO SuperLite Travel Mat from Manduka is lightweight, has great grip, and is designed to be folded, not rolled.

     

  • The chances of passing HIV to a partner is ZERO when you have an undetectable load

    The chances of passing HIV to a partner is ZERO when you have an undetectable load

    “We’re as confident now that undetectable gay men pose no risk of HIV transmission as we already were for heterosexuals,” researchers say.

    The PARTNER 2 study results found no cases of HIV transmission between men when one partner had HIV but was on effective treatment. This finding offers further confirmation that an undetectable viral load prevents sexual transmission of HIV. This understanding is frequently expressed as Undetectable equals Untransmittable, or U=U.

    CREIT: © garyphoto Depositphotos

    PARTNER 2 is an extension of the PARTNER study, which in 2014 indicated that people with an undetectable viral load do not transmit HIV. Gay and bisexual men were included in the previous study, but PARTNER 2 was added on to the earlier study to ensure that this finding was at least as certain for gay men as it was for heterosexuals.

    It had been speculated that because HIV is transmitted more easily via anal than vaginal sex, the results might not hold for gay men. PARTNER 2 now tells us that U=U holds just as strongly for gay men (and for anal sex) as for heterosexuals.

    No transmission of HIV in nearly 77,000 acts of bareback sex

    (C) BIGSTOCK

    The 14-country study found no transmissions between gay couples where the HIV-positive partner had a viral load under 200 – even though there were nearly 77,000 acts of condomless sex between them.

    A detailed analysis of the research findings is available on NAM’s website, www.aidsmap.com

    PARTNER, together with another study, Opposites Attract, have between them not found a single case of HIV transmission in 126,000 acts of condomless anal sex between partners of differing HIV status.

    This new data adds further strength to the U=U Campaign, whose consensus statement has been signed by NAM and hundreds of other organisations around the world, including the International AIDS Society, which runs the International AIDS Conferences.

    Dr Pietro Vernazza, author of the 2008 Swiss Statement, which first affirmed that viral suppression meant that HIV could not be passed on, commented at an earlier conference session, “Those who say that HIV can be transmitted should be able to provide evidence of it.” No study has identified a case of sexual transmission from someone who is virally suppressed on treatment.

    NAM’s Executive Director, Matthew Hodson, commented, “This is the moment when science trumps stigma. This is the moment when facts must conquer fear. The knowledge that when we are undetectable we can’t pass the virus on to our sexual partners has the power to encourage people to test and to remain adherent to their treatment. Just as importantly it can have an impact on the way that people with HIV think about themselves, removing some of the stress and fear that many in our communities experience.”

    Matthew Hodson continued, “The preventative impact of effective HIV treatment underlines the importance of expanding access to treatment and of improving treatment uptake and adherence for all people living with HIV worldwide.”

  • This guy just destroyed gay toxic masculinity in the best way

    This guy just destroyed gay toxic masculinity in the best way

    What is it with toxic masculinity and shaming effeminate men from within our own community?

    CREDIT: Dean-Drobot-bigstock

    We are so tired of fat and body shaming.

    This RealJock user has set one such tox guy in the most glorious way. When user, Neal, told Nicolas to “be a man and shut up” after raising the issue of how toxic gym spaces could be for LGBT+ users he was told,

    “The only thing toxic to men is the increased feminity among them. I’ve seen your pics, maybe if you looked better you wouldn’t feel so insecure, but that’s your issue”.

    U OK Hun?

    But it was Nicolas’s response that set our hearts racing.

    He responded,

    “Wow! It’s statements like this that are damaging our community from within rather than building it up. But all you’ve done is prove my point and show how muscled-up gym bros like yourself can make the gym a really hateful place. You seem completely unaccepting of gay guys who you consider weak or effeminate, but how are they suppose to get stronger if they have to wade through your toxic bull$%^t just to get to the squat rack”

    via GIPHY

    Can we get an amen?

  • Grindr user destroys body shamer in the most glorious way

    Here’s a lesson on how to deal with haters.

    CREDIT: ©-livrakv-Depositphotos

    Body shaming can be so harmful, especially when a message with someone criticising your looks or your size lands in you inbox. This one Grindr user, however, managed to put one teen in his place in the most loving, yet sassy way possible after receiving a message which told him that if he “worked out” he’d be really attractive.

    Here’s a lesson on how to deal with haters.

    “I really don’t care”, starts the message, “what a closeted teenager thinks of my looks

    “But I hope you realise that lots of your fellow queer folks struggle with body image issues and eating disorders of all types and it’s messages like this that compound those issues.

    “With this attitude, you’re going to actively harm people in our beautiful community.

    “Think about that next time you send something like this.

    “Also, I can probably deadlift four of you”.

    We salute you oh sage one.

     

  • New support for LGBT people affected by cancer in Merseyside

    A new project to improve services and support for people in the LGBT community who are affected by cancer has been launched on Merseyside.

    The Macmillan LGBT Cancer Project aims to ensure that the needs of LGBT people affected by cancer in the Liverpool City Region are acknowledged and addressed in the provision of services, information and support.

    A key part of the project, which is funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and hosted by Sahir House, is the Merseyside LGBT Health Survey 2018.

    The survey will help the team build a picture of the health of LGBT people, and identify where any gaps are, and tailor resources and services to meet the specific needs of LGBT communities in Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral.

    Richard Hunt, Partnership Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, who helped set up a similar successful scheme in Manchester, said, “LGBT people with cancer can often face disadvantage, inequality and discrimination. That’s why we have set up the Macmillan LGBT Cancer Project, and launched the Merseyside LGBT Health Survey, to get a greater understanding of the health of LGBT people across Merseyside.

    “If you are an LGBT person affected by cancer, or have cared for someone from the LGBT community who has experienced cancer, then we want to hear from you. We currently have a national picture of the challenges faced by the LGBT community, when they are affected by cancer, but not a local one. We need to understand the issues and experiences faced by the LGBT community across Merseyside, so we can work together to tackle inequalities, address any unmet needs and bridge any gaps in service provision, and to help improve outcomes for people affected by cancer.”

    Clare Carter and James Huyton have been appointed as the new Macmillan LGBT Cancer Programme Co-ordinators at Sahir House, which has been providing HIV support, prevention, information and training across Merseyside since 1985.

    Clare joins from the Terrence Higgins Trust, where she was involved in training, development and partnership work, while James joins from the LGBT Foundation and has a background in health promotion.

    Over the next 12 months, the pair will host various events and campaigns to engage with LGBT communities looking at issues relating to cancer, reducing isolation and increasing awareness, information and wellbeing. They will also be engaging with professionals, and providing training and support, to help them meet the specific needs of LGBT communities.

    Tessa Willow, Chief Executive of Sahir House, added: “Sahir House is excited to be working in partnership with Macmillan on this project, bringing this organisation’s extensive experience of engaging people from marginalised communities, including people from all parts of the LGBT spectrum. Sahir House is aware of the powerful affect discrimination can have on peoples’ abilities to access services on an equitable basis and the health inequalities that result from such discrimination.”