Dear Editor,
While reading the feedback from the recent questionnaire concerning the proposed re-development of the Hanley Centre, we were interested to read that many people wanted, ‘Children’s space with a “NO-GO” area for gay men'. As no other men or women straight or bi-sexual were included in this restriction it’s obvious only “gay men” have been singled out. Maybe the supporters of the “NO-GO” area would also approve of the following. (This could be done even before we move!)

As the Hanley Centre has a front and a back door, how about letting the straight men and women use the front entrance while the “gay men”, some of whom are service users, some volunteers and some staff, use the back entrance.

Once inside however confusion could arise as to “who was who”.Maybe all the “gay men” should be required to wear a pink triangle to make them easier to spot should they wander into the “NO GAY MEN” area. Or perhaps better still, instead of having a “NO-GO” area for the “gay men”, how about going all the way and have a tent erected in the backyard? All the gay men could camp out together. The canvas would keep us dry should it rain, although cold weather could pose a problem.

Another solution would be to clear out of the centre all “gay men’s” books, magazines, papers etc., tie them up in bundles and put them outside the back door. The ousted gay men could then make a campfire and keep warm by burning the offending literature. Of course if and when the centre does move, we would want to go “up-market” and have something a bit better.
How about a shed?

Dennis, Matthew & Stuart

Gay men say no to “No Go”

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Dennis, Matthew and Stuart for helping to promote a debate that has been a long time in the waiting.

Staffordshire Buddies has an established track record in providing services for people living with the virus for over the past 10 years. However times change and so has the illness. The community of people living with HIV in Staffordshire is no longer just gay men living with the virus. 40% are heterosexual or bisexual (approx). This does not mean that gay men have to be forgotten or marginalized, the services we have today would not exist if it were not for the pressure gay men (HIV+ and negative) have applied to get their issue on the agenda for debate.

The Hanley Redevelopment Questionnaire was a tool to find out what those who use the centre wanted if we are to move as a result of the shopping development. Any request or comment that came from more that one person was included within the questionnaire feedback that we mailed out in August. Some requested obvious things such as having sufficient parking space, others wanted improved facilities for quiet one to one work, others (and here is where the debate comes) wanted “children’s space with a no go area for gay men”.

What I hope that means is that there should be a children’s play area that is free from literature of any sort such as Pink Paper, HIV treatment updates and other such material that identifies our service as an HIV service. If it means that gay men should be kept away from children I will not even grant the argument space on the page.

With hindsight maybe I was naïve in including the exact phrase verbatim, but I think a positive outcome can be progressed from this “heated debate” (as Mrs Merton would say), as it has started folk talking in drop in, within BP meetings and it will mean that more positive people will have a voice as to the shape of the services which YOU want, whether they are for services we provide or for new services YOU want.

If you want a voice, use Positive Lives, the suggestions box in the Hanley Centre, your Direct Service User Representatives, send us a note anonymously if you wish or better still call Neil and Rosie up. We are here to listen and to respond. It is only through dialogue that we can start to promote quality of life with HIV/AIDS.

Thanks for taking the time to read this

Janine Director.

We have had email from a local correspondent with helpful suggestions on DIY, making clearer requests for help, where to find bargains, how to go about advertising and a great deal more.

Thank you cwtv emailer, sorry we can’t include more but we thought our readers would appreciate the sentiments in your poem and the idea about email buddies so here are the extracts:

May the sun bring you new energies by day.
May the moon softly restore you by night.
May the rain wash away any worries you may have.
May gentle breezes refresh your soul and may tomorrow find you feeling better than the day before.

…Noted from Maurice’s column.... phone calls and e-mails... this is something that I have wanted to do for a long time so if you ever want to start up a phone or e-mail buddy scheme then I would be interested. Sometimes it’s just good to talk and if you don’t know the person at the other end then you can sometimes confide more.

To all problems there is a solution and if I don’t know an answer then I will find someone who has. …

(Name and email address given)