Who's it for?: Gay men who've been diagnosed with HIV within the last two years

Duration: One weekend

This workshop is designed to help you make sense of the range of issues confronting you after diagnosis. It also provides you with an opportunity to meet other guys in the same situation as yourself. This happens in a totally safe, confidential and supportive environment.

Genesis gives you the opportunity to:

• Explore HIV and its impact on your life expectations
• Uderstand how HIV and your immune system work
• Get an overview of current and future treatments
• Understand HIV and its impact on your health, sex life and relationships
• Work out who to tell about your status and when to tell them
• Plan for the future
• Access services in the community

Genesis is a collaboration between ACON and Positive Life NSW.

What's Genesis like?

"Having become ill with a mystery illness in mid October 2008, after a week in hospital I was confirmed and diagnosed HIV positive. Most of November I spent in either dread or denial. At the suggestion of two friends, each of different backgrounds I heard about Genesis. I was lost and confused and had many issues that I needed to deal with. I needed to do something and quickly! I didn't want AA or some sort of group hug flag waving session. After a private consultation and a great listening ear, I thought I would give Genesis a go. Though that three day weekend was difficult to get to because of the other issues I was dealing with at the time, I made sure I got there. Amid a lot of laughs and a few tears, we learnt so much. We learnt that other guys were going through the same emotional turmoil. We were enlightened with medical information, and by Sunday afternoon I came away a lot stronger, soothed and educated.

Thanks to a caring, sensitive and fun program that nurtured me through a very difficult time. It is now 7 months since I did the Genesis program and I still cannot stop spreading the word of what a great and important help it was to myself and the other newly diagnosed guys. I have passed printed information about Genesis to my GP and to HIV and other health care workers. To those who are newly diagnosed, I can only say that I could now not imagine not having done Genesis. It helped me see a clear path to the rest of my life LIVING! With H.I.V."    

"Paul" - July 2009

What? When? Where?

What: Genesis workshop
When: The next Genesis workshop is taking place 19 to 21 March 2010
Where: ACON's Positive Living Centre 

Find out more

Web: En Otro Idioma / In Another Language

More info

Contact: ACON’s HIV Men's Health Promotion Team

Tel: (02) 9699 8756

Email: srodriguez@acon.org.au