RAPID

Do you want to lead one of Australia’s most innovative peer-led community-based HIV and STI point of care testing services and a passionate team of peer testers who help people make informed decisions about their s*xual health?

We are looking for a Program Manager for Queensland Positive People - QPP's RAPID HIV and STI Testing Program.

For the full details, position description, and how to apply visit www.qpp.org.au/about/employment/

Applications close: 5pm Monday 22nd July 2024.

There have been a small number of recent Mpox cases across Queensland. Know what to look for, and better yet, get vaccinated to protect yourself and others if you haven't already.

Mpox - Queensland Positive People Mpox is rare is Queensland, but this could change rapidly. Vaccination is easy and the best way to protect against Mpox.

Today RAPID & QPP acknowledges, and celebrates IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

Since its inception in 2005, IDAHOBIT has been shining a light on the violence, discrimination, and repression of LGBTIQ+ communities worldwide experience. This, in turn provides an opportunity to take action and engage society to create change.

Use today to show your own awareness, and create change in your own community.

RAPID will be closed this Tuesday 07/05/24 for staff training

We will reopen at 2:30pm, Wednesday 08/05/24

If you need testing while we are closed, or if you are experiencing any STI related symptoms, please see your local doctor or s*xual health clinic for assessment, testing, and treatment.
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/.../services/hiv-clinic-search

Some of our RAPID team are away this week due to illness, so we might be a little busier than usual. Please be patient with us until we get back to our full strength.

As always, if you have STI related symptoms, please see your doctor or local s*xual health clinic for assessment, testing and treatment. Helpful links to other services can be found at www.rapid.org.au/friends

RAPID will be closed this week for staff training
Tuesday 19/03 - Saturday 23/03.

We will reopen at 2:30pm, Tuesday 26/03.

If you need testing while we are closed, or if you are experiencing any STI related symptoms, please see your local doctor or s*xual health clinic for assessment, testing, and treatment.
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/.../services/hiv-clinic-search

RAPID will be closed for staff training the week of Tuesday 19/03 - Saturday 23/03.

We will reopen at 2:30pm, Tuesday 26/03.

If you need testing while we are closed, or if you are experiencing any STI related symptoms, please see your local doctor or s*xual health clinic for assessment, testing, and treatment.
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/.../services/hiv-clinic-search

We are currently recruiting for two part time HIV/STI Test Facilitator positions (12 hrs per week) to work at our Fortitude Valley clinic, and at outreach sites within South East Queensland.

Applications are due Tuesday the 27th of February 2024 by 5 PM

For more information, selection criteria, position description, and details on how to apply visit www.qpp.org.au/about/employment

RAPID will be closed this coming Friday (26/01/2024) for the public holiday. We will be open as usual until then, and then back open on the Saturday following (27/01/2024) from 11:30am.

A reminder, as our team are not doctors or nurses, that if you are experiencing any STI related symptoms, please see your local doctor or s*xual health clinic for assessment, testing, and treatment.

https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/s*x-health/services/hiv-clinic-search

RAPID is now closed for holidays.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟮:𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟵𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰.

If you require testing while we are closed, or are experiencing symptoms, please see your local GP or s*xual health service for assessment and testing. You can find a option near you here: https://emen8.com.au/find-a-service/

We'd like to thank our the nurses, doctors, researchers, and other health professionals that worked with us through the year, the wonderful folks at Wet Spa & Sauna that we visit each week, and of course, our clients for their continued support.

We wish everyone a safe and joyful holiday season, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon see us.

We are currently recruitingfor a part time HIV/STI Test Facilitator with Spanish and/or Portuguese as their first language, and is also fluent in English.

To find out more visit www.qpp.org.au/about/employment

Applications close midnight Monday 15th Jan 2024

RAPID will soon be closing for a holiday break.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝟮:𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟯𝗿𝗱 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟮:𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟵𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰.

If you require testing while we are closed, or are experiencing symptoms, please see your local GP or s*xual health service for assessment and testing. You can find a option near you here: https://emen8.com.au/find-a-service/

We'd like to thank our the nurses, doctors, researchers, and other health professionals that worked with us through the year, the wonderful folks at Wet Spa & Sauna that we visit each week, and of course, our clients for their continued support.

We wish everyone a safe and joyful holiday season, and we look forward to welcoming you back next year to see us.

HIV testing and treatment is now FREE for everyone in Australia, including people without Medicare.

You can get tested at our RAPID clinic, or order a free HIV self test from us at www.rapid.org.au/home-testing or from https://hivtest.au/ Find out how to get treatment without Medicare at https://rb.gy/f9zscm



Produced by NAPWHA and supported by Queensland Positive People - QPP

HIV testing and treatment is now FREE for everyone in Australia, including people without Medicare.

You can get tested at our RAPID clinic, or order a free HIV self test from us at www.rapid.org.au/home-testing or from https://hivtest.au/ Find out how to get treatment without Medicare at https://rb.gy/f9zscm


Produced by NAPWHA and supported by Queensland Positive People - QPP

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝘀𝘁, 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗔𝗜𝗗𝗦 𝗗𝗮𝘆. 𝙒𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧.

To support World AIDS Day, today: wear a Red Ribbon, attend an event or vigil near you if you can, and have a conversation or share a story about World AIDS Day with others, and what it means to you.

There are numerous events and remembrance vigils throughout Queensland. All the details can be found at www.qldworldaidsday.org.au

This year's national theme is “Inclusion, Equity, Respect”. People living with HIV in Queensland can and do live healthy, vibrant, positive lives, but still today, as far as we have come in over 40 years, many people living with HIV are treated differently by others in the community, in the workplace, and in healthcare settings.

We want everyone, regardless of their HIV status, gender, s*xuality or culture, to live their own bold, positive lives, in good health and free from discrimination. To learn more about how to change HIV stigma, visit www.qpp.org.au/hi

Produced by Queensland Positive People - QPP and supported by Queensland Council for LGBTI Health - QC, 2 Spirits, and ECCQ - Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland

Last night, at the closing ceremony of IAS 2023, the 12th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science, held this year in Brisbane, Queensland Minister for Health, Mental Health, and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman announced:

The removal of co-payments for HIV antiretroviral therapy for people with HIV, regardless of their Medicare eligibility.

This is incredible news for those living with HIV in Queensland, especially for those where cost of medication may be a barrier to maintaining their treatment, and ensuring their health and wellbeing. The removal of co-payments is slated to take effect from October 2023.

The Honourable Shannon Fentiman stated in her address:

"As Queensland’s Health Minister, I want to see us end HIV transmission by 2030 and have zero HIV stigma and discrimination.

“Of the estimated 5,919 people living with HIV in Queensland, 91 per cent know their HIV status.

“Our more vulnerable groups in society, whether by age, gender or socio-economic status are the ones who have their health service access most compromised by co-payments.

“By removing cost barriers, we can increase treatment adherence and reduce HIV transmission risk within the community.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to providing everyone with equitable access to safe and affordable healthcare.”

In December last year, Queensland joined the Fast Track Cities network, with a commitment to the virtual elimination of HIV by 2030. The announcement yesterday made by the Queensland Government, affirms their commitment to Fast Track Cities ideals, and should be celebrated.

Mark Counter, QPP's Board President said in response to the announcement:

“Today’s generous announcement means that soon all people living with HIV in Queensland, including the most vulnerable, will be able to achieve an undetectable viral load, making it impossible for them to transmit HIV to others.

“Not just a fantastic outcome for public health but a major step forward in reducing the stigma felt by all people living with HIV across Queensland.”

We hope all States and Territories in Australia join Queensland in providing free and equitable access to HIV medications to all people living with HIV, regardless of Medicare status.

The RAPID clinic (including Tuesday testing at Wet Spa and Sauna) is currently closed so our team can attend the IAS - International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science in Brisbane.

We reopen at 2:30pm Wednesday 2 August.

If you require testing while we are closed, please see your local GP or Sexual Health Service. To find an option near you visit https://emen8.com.au/find-a-service/

We appreciate your understanding.

The day was first celebrated in 2012 on a date was chosen for being precisely between International Men's Day and International Women's Day.

Non-binary is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity doesn’t sit comfortably with ‘man’ or ‘woman’. Non-binary identities are varied and can include people who identify with some aspects of binary identities, while others reject them entirely. Non-binary people can feel that their gender identity and gender experience involves being both a man and a woman, or that it is fluid, in between, or completely outside of that binary.

Today RAPID & QPP acknowledges and celebrates International Non-Binary People’s Day and are encouraging the use of gender neutral pronouns. They are a small but important step in recognising that gender is a spectrum.

The RAPID team will be attending the upcoming IAS - International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science in Brisbane. Our clinic (including Tuesday testing at Wet Spa and Sauna) will be closed during this time.

We will close at 7pm Friday 21 July and will reopen at 2:30pm Wednesday 2 August.

If you require testing during this period, please see your local GP or Sexual Health Service. To find an option near you visit https://emen8.com.au/find-a-service/

We appreciate your understanding.

Are you interested in helping The University of Queensland & University of Southern Queensland - Australia researchers to to develop an AI-assisted mobile app to reduce barriers to STI testing for men that have s*x with men.

For more info, and to register for the next workshop on June 28 at https://www.qpp.org.au/app-research/
and the researchers will be in contact with more details. Spaces are limited.

Workshop participants will receive a $100 gift card to compensate them for their time.

The project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and has been approved by the USQ Human Research Ethics Committee: HREC21REA253.

Today, Monday June 5, is HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day (HLTSAD).

RAPID & QPP joins the world in recognising people living with HIV long term. This day is to commemorate and celebrate the lives, courage, and advocacy of those who pioneered the HIV response.

Those who have been living with the pandemic for forty years have paved the way for research, medical advancements, and policy change. We respect and honour them, knowing the impact on their lives has been significant.

Mark S King, wrote in his piece "A Complete History of HIV/AIDS Will Depend on You" encourages all affected by HIV that their history, and their own experience is important to document, reflect but most of all never be forgotten. On such a important day, this sentiment seems ever more meaningful.

𝘼𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙏𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙩 𝙄𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣.

Mabo Day is marked annually on 3 June, commemorating Mer Island man Eddie Koiki Mabo and his successful efforts to overturn the legal fiction of terra nullius, or ‘land belonging to no-one’ and also marks the end of Reconciliation Week 2023.

Following the Mabo decision, Australia’s Federal Parliament passed the Native Title Act 1993 which established a legal framework for native title claims throughout Australia by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Reconciliation is a journey for us all – as individuals, families, communities, organisations and as a nation. At the heart of this journey are relationships and we all have a role to play in collectively building relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their histories, their cultures and their futures.

Today is the fourth annual LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Day.

We encourage everyone to start a conversation about what they can do to ensure all people, including our LGBTQ+ communities, are supported if they experience domestic or family violence.

For more information on how to help or get help go to https://www.dvafoundation.org/

On this solemn day, RAPID & QPP recognises and supports the stolen generations and First Nations peoples.

It is 25 years since the very first National Sorry Day, remembering and commemorating the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families. It is an integral part of our ongoing national reconciliation, to apologise and show our respect to all of the families who were affected by these terrible actions. We offer our solemn reflection of past injustices, during today, and everyday, as all Australians move together towards a better future.

Read more about National Reconciliation Week at https://nrw.reconciliation.org.au/about-nrw/

Today, May 24th, RAPID & QPP celebrates Pans*xual Visibility Day — a day for our community to uplift, elevate and celebrate those who identify as pans*xual.

Pans*xual Visibility Day is an opportunity to bring to light the stories and experiences of Pans*xual people in society and look at how we can work to improve inclusivity for pans*xual people.

Pan means ‘all’, and is related to words like panorama. Pans*xual people aren’t attracted to all other people, but they are attracted to people of all genders. Just like with other s*xualities, pans*xuals experience attraction to specific people and not others.

Are you interested in helping UQ & USQ researchers to to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted, interactive, mobile app to reduce barriers to testing for STIs, link users to other social and health services matched to their particular needs, while preserving their absolute privacy?

Your involvement could include participation in one or more of the following activities:

• Actively participate in stakeholder engagement workshops
• Work in partnership to develop and pilot test the mobile app prototype
• Collaborate to develop strategies that may reduce barriers to STI testing

The first workshop is scheduled for Saturday, May 27th from 4-6pm (in Brisbane, address to be confirmed upon registration). Light catering provided.

If you are interested in participating in the project, contact Dylan at Queensland Council for LGBTI Health - QC on 0431371278 and they let you know about next steps. Spaces are limited.

The project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and has been approved by the USQ Human Research Ethics Committee (No. HREC21REA253).

Today RAPID acknowledges, and celebrates IDAHOBIT, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

Since its inception in 2005, IDAHOBIT has been shining a light on the violence, discrimination, and repression of LGBTIQ+ communities worldwide experience. This, in turn provides an opportunity to take action and engage society to create change.

Use today to show your own awareness, and create change in your own community.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning.
𝐖𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦.

RAPID and Queensland Positive People - QPP are closed this Anzac Day. We will be open tomorrow at our usual opening times. Visit http://www.qpp.org.au/resources/emergency-support/ for support options while we are closed.