Townsville has a thriving scene of community-based social groups, Members and organisers are always keen to welcome new members or visitors, so contact the group(s) of your choice from the list below or check out what they’re doing in the next few days/ weeks from the What’s On  page and get involved in your community.

Grrlzone
Is an independent women’s and lesbian’s collective providing safe, fun and diverse women’s entertainment events in Townsville and Thuringowa. They run the GrrlSpot women’s dance on the first Friday of the month at Molley Malones’s (Flinders Street East, Townsville)
Contact them at info@grrlzone.org.au
Or check out: www.grrlzone.org.au

ROSA’s
Is a recreational, outdoors, social activities group for gay women in Townsville and surrounding districts.
Contact them at madhouse33@hotmail.com
Or check out: www.rosastownsville.com

If you know of any other LGBT social groups in or around Townsville, please email us about them and we’ll try to include them.

Hot Tip Spot

STIs and HIV

Did you know that having a sexually transmissible infection (STI) increases your chances of contracting or passing on HIV by up to ten times? It’s true!

This is the case for a number of reasons but there are two main ones; increased immune cells at the sites of infection and sores. HIV replicates in CD4 cells in your blood. These cells are an important part of your immune system and are also the natural ‘home’ of HIV. When you have an STI the concentration of these cells at the site of infection increases as your body tries to fight the infection. Unfortunately this also provides many more targets for HIV to get a hold in your system should you be exposed to it, increasing your chance of becoming HIV positive. STIs also usually cause some damage to skin or mucus membranes in or around the genitals. This damage can provide a route for HIV to enter your bloodstream if you are exposed to it.

To reduce your risk of picking up or passing on HIV always use condoms and lube for anal sex, and get into the routine of having a thorough sexual health check-up at least every six months (or more often if you have a lot of sex partners). Look after yourself and your mates!

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