Counsellor Lyndon Moore The New Zealand AIDS Foundation is hoping to normalise testing by offering free rapid HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis C tests in South Auckland each week. Every Thursday counsellor Lyndon Moore sets up shop at Youthline Manukau Centre in Papatoetoe offering the service. The NZAF wants to normalise and make testing more accessible gay and bi men. While testing is available through GPs, sexual health centres and other public health organisations, NZAF’s rapid testing is unique because it allows people to get the results on the same day, at the end of the appointment. The educational component of the test is as important as the test itself, allowing people to make an informed decision about sex, based on facts. The NZAF says South Auckland can be quite a dispersed community, particularly for men who have sex with men. Pacific Community Engagement Co-ordinator Tanu Gago says that, while many venues are "queer friendly", there are no specifically gay clubs or bars, so it’s hard to get the word out. Rapid HIV testing is available every Thursday from 8.30am to 4.30pm at Youthline Manukau Centre, 145 St Georges St, Papatoetoe. Bookings can be made by emailing contact.burnett@nzaf.org.nz or by calling 09 309 5560 or 0800 802 437.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 9th August 2014 - 9:28am