Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!samsung!usc!ucla-cs!Robbie.Bates@p1.f381.n634.z3.fidonet.org
From: Robbie.Bates@p1.f381.n634.z3.fidonet.org (Robbie Bates)
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
Subject: Australian AIDS News
Message-ID: <35744@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU>
Date: 28 May 90 08:57:22 GMT
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Note:	Copyright 1990 by Daniel R. Greening.  Permission granted for
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Archive-number: 2118

RADIO-CONTROLLED BEATS EDUCATION

Melbourne, Friday 18 May 1990

As part of a project to reach men at beats with appropriate AIDS
prevention education, a Beats Education Officer has been employed at the
Victorian AIDS Council and equipped with a car complete with car phone.

Gary Ferguson started work in late March and has been planning an
appropriate campaign in collaboration with the Education Project
Management Committee of the VAC. Gary has been a VAC volunteer for the
past two years and has facilitated several Peer Education Workshops,
including the first rural "Gay Now!" series at Ballarat.

"When my marriage of six years ended and I came out, I joined VAC to
meet other men who were proud to be gay," he said.

"As a member of the Education Program I made some close friendships. I
also became aware that little was known or discussed about beats."

The Beats Project will comprise mostly outreach work, including visits
to beats to distribute condoms and educational material and to talk to
men about safe sex.

Prior to such outreach, however, there will be discussions with those
already with experience of beat issues, a small "field study" of beats,
liaison with police and local councils and other activities aimed at
identifying beats as well as the training of volunteers to assist with
the project.

A workshop will be held at 7.30pm on June 13 at the St Kilda Community
Health Centre.

"I am very excited about the Beats Project and the challenge it
presents," said Gary. "I am looking forward to meeting men who enjoy
doing beats."

Participation and assistance with the Beats Project is as easy as
phoning Gary at the VAC on (61 3) 417 1759.

(C) 1990 Oz Media Limited, Melbourne, Australia. All Rights Reserved.
Reproduced By Permission.

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