Monday, July 19, 2010

Safe and sound through the Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010

The Gay Games VIII and HIV/AIDS relief organizations count on personal encounters – more than 100 honorary prevention co-workers are on active service – Herzenslust / FAIRPLAY and “I KNOW WHAT I AM DOING” are partners of the Gay Games Cologne.

The organizers of Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010 provide an extensive offer for the prevention of HIV and other sexual transmittable diseases for the 10.000 participants and innumerable visitors.
“Our guest shouldn´t take home any unwanted souvenirs” Michael Lohaus accentuates. Therefore the organizers of the Gay Games named an HIV representative, who coordinates and steers the concepts and projects of the single responsible organizations.


Cooperation with HIV/AIDS – relief organizations

More than 100 honorary co-workers of the FAIRPLAY project of Herzenslust (AIDS relief NRW e.V. and Check UP/ AIDS relief Cologne e.V.) and of the “I KNOW WHAT I AM DOING” campaign of the German AIDS relief take care for guests from all over the world. Appropriate to the occasion they are dressed as referees and on the road during competitions, the opening ceremony, in the evening at the parties and in the bars.
“Of course we do distribute condoms, but that´s not all” accentuates the project leader of the FAIRPLAY team Felix Laue. “I KNOW WHAT I AM DOING” and “FAIRPLAY” stand for a responsible and passionate dealing with each other. So that you can enjoy sex without unpleasant consequences, teams offer help in estimating your own conducting towards risk. To be fair to yourself and your sex partner, this is the message.

Information and help

The German HIV/AIDS relief supports the campaign with 50.000 cruising packs (condoms and lube), produces information flyers and prevention TV spots for the Gay Games Cologne. The AIDS relief NRW e.V. provides manpower and other media for the campaigns. Involved are “Herzenslust” groups from all over NRW as well as prevention teams throughout Germany. An important part is the countrywide advice hotline 0049 (0) 180 33 19411 where trained co-workers answer the most important questions regarding HIV and AIDS. Help will be passed on in case of an acute infection with HIV is possible and an immediate PEP (morning-after) therapy might be necessary or in case visitors or participants with HIV have lost their HIV medication. “We cannot offer an all-inclusive free package, but we managed to build information- and help offer for all important areas” says Lohaus.

Solidarity with the affected

Integration and dealing in solidarity is important to the organizers of the Gay Games on all levels. “Be part of it also means that we have to set a sign towards the rights and discrimination of people with HIV in many countries of the world.” With a moment of memories during the opening ceremony commemorates the previous victims of AIDS. At the Rainbow Run and with a commemorative prayer service the AIDS relief Cologne reminds us that people affected by AIDS still need our solidarity as well as social and individual support.

At the link www.games-cologne.de/de/static/köln/gesundheit-hiv all important facts for the guest of the Gay Games are gathered. With it there is information about the general medical care in Cologne and in Germany, questions regarding insurances and the most important emergency call numbers.

More information about the campaigns and partners:
I KNOW WHAT I AM DOING – www.iwwit.de

“FAIRPLAY”/Herzenslust – www.herzenslust.de – www.checkup-koeln.de

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