THE magazine is available in print in selected outlets across Dublin, online at www.themagazine.ie and on air on the first Saturday of every motht on Newstalk 106-108 FM, 7-9pm.

THE HIV workshops at the George are being organised as part of THE magazine's HIV prevention campaign which was launched at The George on Irish AIDS Day. The workshops will run on the first Saturday of every month.


The one hour workshops which will focus on HIV transmission routes and there will also be discussion on HIV education in the gay community today and how we should be approaching this issue. The workshops will be hosted by Derek Byrne, editor of THE magazine and lecturer in HIV Transmission and Treatment Options*. THE magazine HIV prevention campaign is an independent initiative.


The Campaign will focus on the issues of Proximity and Responsibility with the clear message that gay men need to be aware of the presence of HIV in the gay community and take responsibility for their own sexual health choices. We believe that a new approach to HIV prevention in the gay community is needed especially at a time when the latest figures show an alarming increase in the numbers of diagnoses amongst gay men and MSM. It is also our intention to invite other speakers and professionals in this area to get involved.


In relation to after care support. We will be encouraging people to avail of the excellent services that already exist but as a trained professional in this area, Derek will be able to deal with any situations which may arise at the workshops.


If you need any further clarification on the workshops, please feel free to contact Derek on 087-621 2491.

The first workshop will focus on HIV transmission and the discussion will ask the question "Is HIV an important issue for young gay men today or does it belong in the past?"


*Derek Byrne is a lecturer in HIV Transmission and Treatment Options on a number of Social Science courses, mainly for NUI Maynooth and UCD. He works as Education Co-ordinator for an organisation called Community Response, a community development programme which aims to help the South Inner City Area deal with problem drug use through empowering the local community. He was also Education Officer with Dublin AIDS Alliance between 2002 and 2003 and a former member of the Gay Health Network.