The Ending HIV Bus is returning to Broken Hill for all the glamour and glitter of the Broken Heel Festival. ACON, NSW’s leading HIV prevention, HIV support and LGBTI health organisation, will have trained peers on-site offering free and confidential HIV and STI screening for those wanting to test or chat about sexual health.
Running from 8 – 10 September, the Broken Heel Festival takes place in the shining silver city of Broken Hill in the state’s far west, and showcases all of the town’s favourite haunts from the iconic 1994 film Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
Ann Ryan, Manager of HIV and Related Programs for Far West Local Health District, said the pop up service is all about making testing more accessible and less threatening.
“About 10 per cent of HIV infections in NSW are undiagnosed so knowing your HIV status is important as it means you can take control of your health,” said Ms Ryan. “Today HIV is a chronic manageable condition, there is a huge amount of support and treatments are effective. Reducing stress and angst around the testing process is key to keeping testing rates high.
ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill said the Broken Heel Festival provides a great opportunity for HIV and STI testing within a community setting, and to reach people living in regional NSW. “Offering services to community in non-clinical settings is all about making sexual health testing more accessible and drag performers have always held a special place in the fight to end HIV,” said Mr Parkhill.
“This year the team will offer the choice of either a rapid HIV test that sees results within 30 minutes or the new Dry Blood Spot test with results available the Festival. ACON is here for the health and wellbeing of our communities’ right across NSW – and we have been proud to be a community partner of the Broken Heel Festival for the last three years.”
As well as the pop up site, ACON will be hosting a special This Is Oz photo booth, distributing hundreds of safe sex packs and providing resources and information at the festival in partnership with the Far West local sexual health team.
“We love partnering with ACON and the Far West Local Health District for the Broken Heel Festival,” said Festival Director Esther La Rovere. “Their work actively reduces HIV and STI stigma, normalises testing and celebrates all of us living proud in the outback. The Silver City is excited to again welcome the diversity of festival-goers to the homeland of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.”
The Ending HIV Bus will operate within the Festival from 7.00pm on Friday at the Opening Night Party, from 2.00 – 4.00pm on Saturday, where anyone (18+) can grab a test at the Sulphide St entrance of the Festival near the Hyundai dealership, and again for the Glitterbomb Party on Saturday night and finally on Sunday morning 9.00 – 11.00am.
For more information about ACON and the Ending HIV initiative, visit: www.acon.org.au For more information about the Broken Heel Festival, visit: www.bhfestival.com for details.
Image: courtesy of ACON