United for gay youth

United for gay youth

ACON and gay and lesbian youth service Twenty10 will pool research and resources to provide better services and health promotion material for young people.

The agreement solidifies an unspoken relationship between the two organisations that will assist both in promoting their efforts to reach young clients.

“We want to make sure young people everywhere know that services like Twenty10 and ACON exist, so when they need services the right support will be there,” Twenty10’s co-convenor Jude Page told Sydney Star Observer.

“Two services working together have more chance of getting the message out there.”

ACON president Mark Orr said reaching gay and lesbian youth was a vital part of the organisation’s future. “It is essential [to make connections with youth],” Orr said.

“The world is a changing place. HIV has a very  different face now. It is important for us to reach out to young people, to make sure they are aware of our message on safe sex, and know how they can protect their own and their partner’s health.

“It’s easy for older people in the community to get blase, but we always have to be thinking about what is happening for young people.

“ACON’s been doing work around young people and HIV and health promotion for a long time, and we’ve worked with Twenty10 throughout that. This will formalise that relationship and makes a statement from a board level that we see this as an important part of our work.”

For gay and lesbian youth in need of help, the strengthened relationship will lead to more options in services.
“It’s about making sure that people get the best options and right support,” Page said.

“If we’ve got existing clients and we can refer them to programs like Fun and Esteem, or strengthen their sexual health information, it can only be a good thing. And vice versa, ACON will be able to refer clients to us for services that may be helpful.”

Fellow co-convenor Dr Sean Gallagher said it was a win-win outcome for both organisations.

“This will help ensure that resources made available to both organisations by government, business and the community reach young people who are same-sex attracted or gender diverse, their communities and their families, so they get the support they need and the best possible outcomes,” he said.

info: For more on Twenty10 visit www.twenty10.org.au. For more on ACON visit www.acon.org.au

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2 responses to “United for gay youth”

  1. Look, i have to say with the benefit of hindsight that a community which is lead by any orgnisation whose version of history is written to reflect the obvious changing conditions of a so-called virulent virus which is virtually non-exstiant compared to the death rates reports of ten to twenty five years ago when a large amount of guinea pigs paid the absolute price for a coffin load of drugs? Today we also have a vast amount of people dependant on welfare when they should be out working? I haven”t said that litely, These factors also need to be taken into consideration when considering the benefits to young men of tomorrow! and, long after the black plague faded into the landscape.
    sorry if it comes over a little harsh

  2. I think of the dedication of the late Sr Carmen Getit, a tireless worker with the 2010 project and think more publicity for this organisation, particularly this year, should be paid by ACON.
    As we all know hiv/aids is no longer the disease du jour but our young people seem to be suffering an inordinate amount of ignorance & stress due to the recent complacency to the many young people living and affected by hiv’aids. I applaud any initiative taken by 2010 and ACON wich will highlight & benefit our youth.
    Love from Hell xo