Mr Meridian

08/12/2022

Check that list twice! Meridian is hosting a MPOX (Monkeypox) Vaccination Clinic on Wednesday 14 December 10am – 6pm run by the lovely folks at Canberra S*xual Health Centre. Vaccines are free and Medicare cards are not required for this clinic. Prepare for the holidays, World Pride, and Mardi Gras with a MPOX (Monkeypox) vaccine. Get in quick, spots are limited! Call (02) 6257 2855 to book now. Current eligibility for vaccination includes:
- Gay, and bis*xual men and other men who have s*x with men (cis and trans) with multiple or casual s*xual partners, and
- Anyone who has s*x with these men, including women (cis and trans) and non-binary and gender diverse people.

For more information about MPOX (Monkeypox) visit https://pulse.ly/egy6254uj1

[Image description: A tile reading ‘MPOX (Monkeypox) Vaccine Clinic. 14 December 10am – 6pm. Call to book 02 6257 2855. Beside the text is a cartoon notebook with a checklist scribbled onto it with 2022 at the top. Some scribbles have ticks beside them, and the last one has an outline of a syringe.]

10/11/2022

Additional Monkeypox vaccines have arrived! Eligibility criteria has been updated (including second doses) which means more people can get a jab. Vaccines are free for eligible people. Check if you're eligible and where to find a vaccine here: https://pulse.ly/d1mz9k19jd

If you're outside the ACT, find your nearest vaccination clinic here: https://pulse.ly/5gnwbz8ey4

[Image description: an image of two guys sitting closely and intimately, one with their arms wrapped around the other. Text reads 'Monkeypox Vaccine. Eligibility has changed. Check to see if you're eligible.']

18/10/2022

Happy International Pronouns Day!

Meridian would like to acknowledge today, October 19, as a day that seeks to make respecting, sharing and education about personal pronouns commonplace.
Pronouns have been around for centuries. Referring to people by their correct pronouns is an important way of respecting their identity and dignity, which is a part of allyship.

Pronouns can be gendered (she/her, he/him), gender neutral (they/them), neo-pronouns (ze/zir). Some people may not use pronouns, and some people may use all pronouns! Normalising pronouns can look like; sharing your pronouns with people you trust, popping them in your email signature, or after your name in virtual meetings. Meridian also stocks pronoun badges thanks to the wonderful work of our amazing volunteers – pick up a badge at our next event!

[Image Description: A purple pronoun badge with yellow text reads ‘My Pronouns Are’, with a blank space underneath where one would write their pronouns. The pronoun badge is placed in the centre on a white background. A bold heading reads ‘PRONOUNS MATTER’ above the pronoun badge, and below it reads ‘Happy International Pronouns Day!’ with the Meridian Logo placed underneath. Circular pronoun badges in many colours border the top and bottom of the tile with various pronouns printed on the badges, including “She/They”, ‘’They/She”, “She/Her”, “They/Them”, “They/He”, “He/They”, “He/Him”, “Ze/Zir”, “It/Its”.]

17/10/2022

A reminder that NSW Health are running a monkeypox (MPXV) Vaccination Clinic in Queanbeyan on the 18th, 19th & 20th of October, 9am-4pm! Please call 1800 955 566 between 8 am and 4.30pm Monday - Friday to book. Walk Ins are available.

The Vaccination clinic will be held at Queanbeyan Community Health, Ground Floor, Queanbeyan Hospital, 107 Collett St, Queanbeyan 2620. All postcodes welcome!

More info at: https://pulse.ly/h56opht82w

[Image Description: The Text "Monkeypox (MPXV) Vaccine Clinic Queanbeyan" is printed on a mustard yellow box. The background graphics show the word 'monkeypox' in a repeating pattern on a contrasting yellow background. A speech bubble in the bottom left corner reads 'To Book, Call 1800 955 566. Clinic Dates: 9 am to 4 pm, October 18, 19, 20. Walk In's Available!' The bottom right corner shows a red location pin with the address of the clinic: Queanbeyan Community Health, Queanbeyan Hospital, 107 Collett St Queanbeyan 2620. The Meridian logo appears in the bottom left corner.]

15/10/2022

A reminder that NSW Health are running a monkeypox (MPXV) Vaccination Clinic in Queanbeyan on the 18th, 19th & 20th of October, 9am-4pm! Please call 1800 955 566 between 8 am and 4.30pm Monday - Friday to book. Walk Ins are available.

The Vaccination clinic will be held at Queanbeyan Community Health, Ground Floor, Queanbeyan Hospital, 107 Collett St, Queanbeyan 2620. All postcodes welcome!

More info at: https://pulse.ly/z5ljt7snv4

[Image Description: The Text "Monkeypox (MPXV) Vaccine Clinic Queanbeyan" is printed on a mustard yellow box. The background graphics show the word 'monkeypox' in a repeating pattern on a contrasting yellow background. A speech bubble in the bottom left corner reads 'To Book, Call 1800 955 566. Clinic Dates: 9 am to 4 pm, October 18, 19, 20. Walk In's Available!' The bottom right corner shows a red location pin with the address of the clinic: Queanbeyan Community Health, Queanbeyan Hospital, 107 Collett St Queanbeyan 2620. The Meridian logo appears in the bottom left corner.]

12/10/2022

In response to the current global monkeypox (MPXV) outbreak, NSW Health are running a Vaccination Clinic in Queanbeyan on the 18th, 19th & 20th of October, 9am-4pm!

Please call 1800 955 566 between 8 am and 4.30pm Monday - Friday to book. Walk Ins are available.

The Vaccination clinic will be held at Queanbeyan Community Health, Ground Floor, Queanbeyan Hospital, 107 Collett St, Queanbeyan 2620. All postcodes welcome!

More info at: https://pulse.ly/1u1eeq4j56

[Image Description: The Text "Monkeypox (MPXV) Vaccine Clinic Queanbeyan" is printed on a hot pink box. The background graphics show the word 'monkeypox' in a repeating pattern on a contrasting light pink background. A speech bubble in the bottom left corner reads 'To Book, Call 1800 955 566. Clinic Dates: 9 am to 4 pm, October 18, 19, 20. Walk In's Available!' The bottom right corner shows a red location pin with the address of the clinic: Queanbeyan Community Health, Queanbeyan Hospital, 107 Collett St Queanbeyan 2620. The Meridian logo appears in the bottom left corner.]

29/09/2022

Do you have questions about monkeypox and how to protect yourself? Join the National Monkeypox Community Forum on Monday, 10 Oct 2022, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm AEDT.

Hear from experts about monkeypox, Australia’s response, national trends and current prevention options such as vaccination. Virtual attendance is free.

Register via link https://events.humanitix.com/national-monkeypox-community-forum

NAPWHA ACON Queensland Council for LGBTI Health - QC Northern Territory AIDS & Hepatitis Council WAAC SAMESH Thorne Harbour Health TasCAHRD Meridian ACT Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League - AIVL Scarlet Alliance - Australian S*x Workers Association

25/08/2022

Researchers at UNSW Sydney are conducting a survey of gay and bis*xual men in Australia to understand knowledge and concern about monkeypox, and willingness to get vaccinated/change behaviour. Help us improve the response to monkeypox! Access the confidential survey here: https://pulse.ly/379u98t6zd

18/08/2022

The next STRIP Clinic is August 22nd 4:30pm - 7pm! Free and confidential STI testing and PrEP consultations for LGBTIQA+ communities.

Friendly and professional nurses and doctors from the Canberra S*xual Health Centre and Capital Health Network will be in attendance and your results will be available over the phone or via text message.

Bookings are required and appointments will take 20 to 30 minutes. Contact our office during business hours by phone on 02 6257 2855 to make a booking or to find out more visit https://pulse.ly/qvmx8rp13n

[Image description: A white background with a circle graphic entering the tile from the right. The circle has all the colours of the Progress Pride Flag. Headline text reads "STRIP CLINIC - Free and confidential STI testing for LGBTIQA+ communities. - Clinic operating every month, PrEP prescriptions available, no Medicare required. - Havelock House (Gould St entrance) 85 Northbourne Avenue Turner ACT 2612 (02) 6257 2855". The Meridian brand mark features to the right.]

11/06/2022

'Are you a guy who‘s into other guys (and maybe girls too)? Are you looking for a non-judgmental doctor you can talk to honestly about your s*x life?'

Looking for LGBTQ friendly doctors? Our guide to finding a gay friendly GP, what to expect and how to find one in your area.

07/06/2022

'LGBTQ festivals and events are a chance to celebrate the community, support LGBTQ artists, performers and musicians, and — well — to let your hair down and have some fun!'

Looking for pride-filled events and gay festivals around Australia? Add these annual Australian LGBTQ festivals & events to your calendar every year!

03/06/2022

If you’re q***r, you’ve probably heard of a drug called poppers. But do you know what they are? This article from Them tells us a little more about poppers in the US.

Harm reduction specialists told us what these tiny bottles contain – and what to be wary of when using them.