Drag queens from across the UK were invited to speak about the importance of HIV testing at a Merseyside charity last week.
Sahir House offers practical and emotional support to the LGBTQ+ community, people living with HIV, and LGBTQ+ people seeking asylum.
As part of National HIV Testing Week, the charity held their first ever press event at The Navy Social. The event championed HIV testing, as well as Shahir’s broader portfolio of vital LGBTQ+ support services.
Beyond the glitz and glamour of the stage, drag queens are fierce advocates for self-expression, equality, social justice and empowerment.
Luey Crucifix spoke about the importance of regular testing and said: “Testing is important because people need to know their status. HIV can turn into AID’s and AID’s still kills people.
“People must know their status in order to make sure that they’re receiving the correct treatment and to prevent further transmission”.
As it currently stands in the UK, asylum seekers must go through extensive interviews to prove that they are part of the LGBTQ+ community.
LGBTQ+ asylum seekers face discrimination and harassment in detention centres. Sahir House wants to offer those experiencing difficulties a helping hand.
Mark Christopherson, a volunteer at Sahir, said: “We want to spread the word about HIV testing and focus on vulnerable groups of people.”
HIV doesn’t discriminate
Last year it was revealed that the number of HIV transmissions were higher in the heterosexual population than it was in the LGBTQ+ population.
Kathleen Charters, the Wirral HIV lead for Sahir House, said: “HIV doesn’t discriminate, it affects the heterosexual population, and this is a gap in knowledge that we hope to address, so that people are understanding that HIV can affect anybody”.
Listen to Molly Graff’s audio report here:
The introduction of rapid testing revolutionised the landscape of HIV testing. Oral tests can be performed at home following a straightforward process. It involves collecting a sample of oral fluid using a swab, and results can be obtained in as little as 20 minutes.
As Sahir continue to promote regular HIV testing through their charitable work, hopes for the future are to eliminate the transmission of the virus by 2030.
National HIV Testing Week is a national campaign that serves as an important opportunity to promote HIV testing, reduce stigma and encourage individuals to take charge of their sexual health.
Featured image (c) Lois Adeshile
