Would-be bear Robinson is checked out by Urge bar co-owner Paul Heard HIV prevention outreach from the NZ AIDS Foundation to the nation's gay bears will be enhanced after the proceeds from the recent Bear Week have been passed to the Foundation. The second annual Get it On! Bear NZ Week attracted hundreds of bears, cubs and those who want to eat their picnics, from around New Zealand and further afield to Auckland for the week-long event. $1600 was collected during bear week, primarily at the Mr URGE New Zealand Bear 2011 event which was won by South Island’s Arfa Bear. NZAF Executive Director Shaun Robinson says the participants in Get it On! BearNZ Week have been "incredibly generous. It’s very humbling to work for a community that has people who are focussed on fun and fur, yet never miss the opportunity to be charitable. We’re delighted and amazed at their generosity.” Last year, the average age for gay and bisexual men who were diagnosed was 38 which shows that HIV prevention has to be relevant to older, highly sexualised men as well as younger ones. Get it On! BearNZ Week gave us an important opportunity to get alongside guys who are at risk of getting HIV and promote condoms and lube in the places where they’re meeting and hooking up.
Credit: Gaynz.com Daily News Staff
First published: Friday, 11th March 2011 - 2:07pm