World AIDS Day & Red Ribbon Appeal
Show your support for ACON’s Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal by attending an event in the lead up to, and on, World AIDS Day. This year, a host of awareness-raising and fundraising events are being held in support of the appeal. We thank all organisations, businesses, promoters, corporations and community groups for the continued support. Make a difference and attend a Red Ribbon Appeal fundraiser.
SYDNEY
ENDING HIV RED RIBBON APPEAL
Fri 16 Nov – Sun 2 Dec | selected locations + online
In the lead up to, and including World AIDS Day, volunteers will be selling red ribbons ($3), wristbands ($5), enamel pins ($5) and diamante pins ($10) at selected locations throughout Sydney. The Red Ribbon Street Appeal will take place on Friday 30 November and Saturday 1 December. Red Ribbon merchandise can be purchased from businesses displaying Red Ribbon boxes, or donations can be made here.
RED RIBBON APPEAL AT FRIDAY NIGHT BEARS AT KINSELAS
Fri 16, 23, 30 Nov | Kinselas, Darlinghurst | 7pm – 10pm
Join the Harbour City Bears at their weekly Den Night at Kinselas and help raise funds for the Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal. The bears will be selling red ribbons ($3), wristbands ($5), enamel pins ($5) and diamante pins ($10) and taking donations. Support the Red Ribbon Appeal by purchasing merchandise from the Harbour City Bears at Kinselas.
RED RIBBON APPEAL WITH BEARS AT THE BANK
Sun 18, 25 Nov | Bank Hotel, Newtown | 4pm – 6pm
The Harbour City Bears will be hitting the Bank Hotel in Newtown to sell red ribbons ($3), wristbands ($5), enamel pins ($5) and diamante pins ($10) and taking donations. Support the Red Ribbon Appeal by purchasing merchandise from the Harbour City Bears at The Bank Hotel.
RED SUNDAY AT THE BERESFORD
Sun 25 Nov | Beresford Hotel, Surry Hills | 3pm – 8pm
Beresford Sundays will turn red to raise money for ACON’s Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal. There’ll be spot performances, games and raffles. Whether you make a donation or buy some of the Red Ribbon merchandise, you’ll be making a difference by helping ACON continue its work to end HIV transmission in NSW by 2020 and support people living with HIV.
THE RED PARTY
Fri 30 Nov | Stonewall Hotel, Darlinghurst | 9pm – late
Come out on World AIDS Day eve and wear red at Stonewall Hotel’s annual Red Party. Sydney’s leading drag performers will donate their time and talents in support of the Red Ribbon Appeal. Entry is $5 donation to ACON at the door. Red Ribbon merchandise will also be available for purchase.
‘FIRE IN THE BLOOD’ SCREENING AT MCA
Sat 1 Dec | Museum of Contemporary Art, Circular Quay | 11.30am – 1pm
See a screening of the powerful 2013 feature documentary Fire in the Blood, which tells the story of how Western pharmaceutical companies and governments blocked access to low-cost AIDS drugs for the countries of the global south in the years after 1996 – causing ten million or more unnecessary deaths – and the improbable group of people who decided to fight back. The screening coincides with World AIDS Day, raising awareness about ongoing issues surrounding HIV and AIDS, and ACON’s Red Ribbon Appeal. Details here
THE LARAMIE PROJECT
Sat 1 Dec | Seymour Centre, Chippendale | 2pm
See riveting new productions of the groundbreaking work The Laramie Project and The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later at the Seymour Centre on World AIDS Day and help raise funds for the Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal. The Laramie Project delves deep into the story of Matthew Shepard, the openly-gay University of Wyoming student brutally murdered in a hate crimes, as seen through the eyes of the resident of Laramie, Wyoming – the town where it happened. The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later revisits the town a decade after the event, exploring how much has changed since Matthew’s tragic death. Theatre Travels will be collecting donations throughout the season, which runs from 28 November to 8 December but a special Red Ribbon Appeal benefit performance will be held on World AIDS Day. Details here
THE POLLYS CLUB: UNDER THE MIRROR BALL
Sat 1 Dec | Marrickville Town Hall | 7pm
Join The Pollys Club at their next party ‘Under The Mirrorball’, to be held at Marrickville Town Hall on World AIDS Day (December 1). To mark the occasion, everyone is encouraged to wear red. There are raffles and prizes for best dressed. Featuring a stage extravaganza, which will celebrate how far we’ve come with HIV treatments, and a special guest from TV’s Altogether Now. The Polly Club will be raising funds for the Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal so come and show your support by buying/wearing a red ribbon and making a donation to the appeal. Doors open 7pm. Tickets $25/$20 from here
OXFORD HOTEL
Sat 1 Dec | Oxford Hotel, Darlinghurst | 9pm-late
Get your red ribbons from the Oxford Hotel in Darlinghurst on World AIDS Day. The gay hotspot will be raising funds for the Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal. Support the appeal by buying a red ribbon and making a donation.
ARQ SYDNEY
Sat 1 Dec | ARQ SYDNEY, Darlinghurst | 9pm-late
Popular gay nightclub Arq will be supporting the Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal by selling red ribbon merchandise throughout the venue. Support the appeal by buying a ribbon and making a donation.
GAYLE SESSIONS AT IMPERIAL HOTEL
Sun 2 Dec | Imperial Hotel, Erskineville | 3pm – 9pm
Leading gay-owned and operated boutique cider and beer company Gayle presents this riveting performance showcase featuring two of Australia’s leading comedy and cabaret performers: Trevor Ashley and Denise Hanlon. Revel in an intimate show that will have you singing, laughing and even dancing. Red Ribbon merchandise will be on sale with proceeds going to ACON’s Red Ribbon Appeal. Details here
HEAVEN SOCIAL DANCE – RED PARTY #7
Sat 8 Dec | Mounties Bowling Club, Cnr Ulverstone St & Lawson St, Fairfield | 6pm-12am
Heaven Social Dance will mark World AIDS Day and support the Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal at their annual Red Party on Saturday 8 December at the Mounties Bowling Club in Fairfield. All patrons are encourage to show their support and wear red. There are prizes for best dressed. Coordinated by LayDee KinMee with shows at 8pm, 9pm and 10pm. Featuring music by DJ Shaft. All proceeds from the night will support ACON’s Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal. Entry $15 at the door. For more info, visit the website here
NORTHERN RIVERS
ENDING HIV RED RIBBON APPEAL
Fri 23 Nov – Sat 1 Dec | selected locations + online
Red Ribbons will be available throughout the week from ACON Northern Rivers at 27 Uralba Street Lismore as well as at selected countertops, markets and community events in Nimbin, Casino, Kyogle, Lismore, Ballina, Byron Bay, Brunswick Heads and Mullumbimby. On Wednesday 28 November volunteers will be selling Red Ribbons at the Lismore Shopping Square, and on Thursday 29 November in Lismore CDB and Nimbin. Donations can also be made online here
TREATMENTS BY THE SEA
Sat 24 Nov | Far North Coast location | 11am – 4.30pm
A FREE workshop for people living with HIV with a specific look at Quality of Life (QoL) for People living with HIV. Participants will hear from keynote speaker Dr Jennifer Power, Principal Researcher, HIV Futures, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, who will explore what factors contribute to good QoL. Join in the discussion and bring all those questions you’ve always had about living with HIV. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided. Numbers for the workshop are limited, to register call (02) 6622 1555 or Free Call 1800 633 637.
ABORIGINAL HIV AWARENESS WEEK EVENT
Wed 6 Dec | University Centre for Rural Health, Lismore
An Aboriginal HIV Awareness week event will be held at University Centre for Rural Health in Lismore on Friday 30 November with stalls, speakers, giveaways and a free lunch for community and local service workers. This event is collaboration between Bulgarr Ngaru, ACON Northern Rivers and HARP North Coast. The event will raise awareness of the changing landscape of HIV epidemiology in aboriginal peoples, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care for aboriginal communities. Dr James Ward who leads the Infectious Diseases Research: Aboriginal Health research group at South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) is keynote speaker. University Centre for Rural Health is located at 61 Uralba St, Lismore. Please contact ACON Northern Rivers for more information on (02) 6622 1555 or Free Call 1800 633 637.
To keep up to date with all the latest news and Red Ribbon Appeal events in the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast regions this World AIDS Day, follow the ACON Northern Rivers Facebook page here
HUNTER
ENDING HIV RED RIBBON APPEAL
Fri 23 Nov – Sat 1 Dec | various locations
Red Ribbon merchandise will be available at ACON’s office at 129 Maitland Rd Islington and at selected businesses, community organisations and shopping centres throughout Newcastle in the lead up to and on World AIDS Day. If your organisation is interested in selling red ribbons at your workplace, call us on 4962 7700, call in to 129 Maitland Road, Islington, or email hunter@acon.org.au. Donations can also be made online at here
WORLD AIDS DAY MORNING TEA
Wed 28 Nov | Suspension Espresso, 3 Beaumont St, Islington | 10am – 11.15am
World AIDS Day aims to encourage Australians to take action to reduce the transmission of HIV by promoting prevention, and to ensure that people living with HIV live free from stigma and discrimination. Come and have a cup of coffee, meet ACON Hunter staff, connect with other HIV support services in the region and learn more about what we do for people living with HIV in the Hunter region. For more info, contact ACON Hunter on (02) 4962 7700.
To keep up to date with the latest news and Red Ribbon Appeal events in the Hunter and New England region this World AIDS Day, follow the ACON Hunter Facebook page here
SOUTHERN & FAR WEST NSW
ENDING HIV RED RIBBON APPEAL
Fri 23 Nov – Sat 1 Dec | Various locations
Red Ribbon merchandise will be available at selected locations across the southern and far west regions of NSW. Look out for red ribbon merchandise at selected business and community organisations in Katoomba, Wollongong, Wagga Wagga, Griffith, Bateman’s Bay, Bega, Broken Hill and Albury-Wodong. If your organisation is interested in selling red ribbons at your workplace, call us on 1800 063 060 or email regionaloutreach@acon.org.au. Donations can also be made online here
KATOOMBA
WORLD AIDS DAYS FILM SCREENING BPM
Thu 29 Nov | Baroque Room – Carrington Hotel, Katoomba | 6.30pm – 9pm
Support the Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal at the screening of the international award winning film BPM. This incredible film showcases the story of ACT UP in Paris, whose members embraced the battle for those affected by HIV/AIDS by taking on sluggish government agencies and major pharmaceutical companies in bold, invasive actions. More info: Facebook event page
WAGGA WAGGA
WORLD AIDS DAYS FILM SCREENING BPM
Fri 30 Nov | Wagga Wagga City Library | 6pm-8.30pm
Support the Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal at the screening of the international award winning film BPM. This incredible film showcases the story of ACT UP in Paris, whose members embraced the battle for those affected by HIV/AIDS by taking on sluggish government agencies and major pharmaceutical companies in bold, invasive actions. More info: Facebook event page
BATEMANS BAY
WALAWAANI – WE HOPE YOU HAVE A SAFE JOURNEY
Fri 30 Nov | Village Centre, Batemans Bay
Come along to the Village Centre in Batemans Bay where you will find our caravan pop-up stall to commemorate World AIDS Day and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV Awareness Week. There will be Dried Blood Spot testing kits available for people to use to test for HIV, as well as information and resources about Ending HIV and Red Ribbons for sale.
GRIFFITH
GRIFFITH COMMUNITY PICNIC
Sat 1 Dec | Memorial Park, Griffith | 6.30pm – 8.30pm
The Griffith community will come together for a special community picnic event at Memorial Park in Griffith on Saturday 1 December to commemorate World AIDS Day. A collaboration between the Griffith Community Centre, Murrumbidgee Local Health District, and ACON, the event will feature music, speakers, community BBQ, and information and health resources. More info: Facebook event page
BEGA
WORLD AIDS DAY FILM SCREENING BPM
Sat 1 Dec | Funhouse Studio, Hill St, Bega | 3pm-8pm
Support the Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal at the screening of the international award winning film BPM. This incredible film showcases the story of ACT UP in Paris, whose members embraced the battle for those affected by HIV/AIDS by taking on sluggish government agencies and major pharmaceutical companies in bold, invasive actions. More info: Facebook event page
BROKEN HILL
WORLD AIDS DAY FILM SCREENING: BPM
Sat 8 Dec | Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery, Broken Hill | 6pm – 9pm
Support the Ending HIV Red Ribbon Appeal at the screening of the international award winning film BPM. This incredible film showcases the story of ACT UP in Paris, whose members embraced the battle for those affected by HIV/AIDS by taking on sluggish government agencies and major pharmaceutical companies in bold, invasive actions.
ALBURY WODONGA
STIGMA
Sat 8 Dec | HotHouse Theatre, Wodonga | 6.30pm – 10.30pm
STIGMA is a production from Devize Co and written by Darren Vizer, that incorporates theatre, dance and physical encounters. A dynamic theatre and movement performance, examining the prejudices, discrimination and stigma experienced by people living with HIV . More info: Facebook event page
To keep up-to-date with all the latest news and Red Ribbon Appeal event in the Southern and Western regions of NSW this World AIDS Day, follow the ACON Southern & Far West Facebook page here
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT THE RED RIBBON APPEAL
Sell Red Ribbons
Join our army of Red Ribbon volunteers and sell merchandise on the street on Friday 30 November and Saturday 1 December (World AIDS Day). There are a variety of shifts and locations available in Sydney and regional and rural NSW. For more on volunteering, https://www.redribbonappeal.org.au/volunteerclick here
Buy Red Ribbons or Make a Donation
You can buy red ribbons online, on the street, or in participating shops and businesses. Or you can make a cash donation online. To buy merchandise or to donate, click here
Visit the Red Ribbon Appeal website here
Big Bingay: Annual Christmas Special
BIG BINGAY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL – 14 DECEMBER 2018
Big Bingay returns to its Paddo RSL home this December for one night only for our annual Christmas special!
Celebrate the arrival of the silly season at Sydney’s campest Christmas party! Our annual Big Bingay Christmas Special is the ultimate gay holiday gathering, packed with more games, more prizes, more surprises and more goodies. We’ll be transforming Paddo RSL into a Christmas wonderland, and our wonderful Bingay volunteers will be serving up plenty of sweets and treats. Our divine hosts Charisma Belle and Naomi Palmer will delight and enthrall as they pull naughty calls, cheeky banter and hilarious stories out of their Christmas stockings!
Now in its 18th big year, Bingay is a much-loved Gay Sydney institution that raises funds for ACON, NSW’s leading LGBTI health organisation. All funds raised go to programs and services that support the health and wellbeing of LGBTI people and people living with HIV in NSW.
Last year’s Big Bingay Christmas Special was a sell-out so be sure to secure your place. Book early for the best seats – group bookings welcome.
- Extra games!
- More prizes!
- Heaps of party food!
- Drag spot numbers!
- Decor galore!
Book early for the best seats.
Group bookings welcome.
Date: Friday 14 December 2018
Time: 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Location: Paddo RSL, 232 Oxford St, Paddington
Tickets: $30 all games, all night with all proceeds to ACON
BOOK here
About Bingay
Bingay is gay bingo which means there’s classic disco tunes, weird rules and penalties, outrageous antics, hilarious repartee, deliciously lewd bingo calls, and prizes that range from the silly and camp to great theatre tickets and restaurant vouchers.
Bingay hostess Charisma Belle oversees the madcap proceedings and Bingay’s long time barrel babe Naomi Palmer spins the balls and sings up a storm.
Bingay takes over the upstairs bar of The Beresford Darlinghurst on the second Thursday of every month, with each monthly event having a fabulously flamboyant theme.
Bingay’s balls first dropped in 1999, making it one of Sydney’s longest running LGBTI community events + it raises money for our HIV and LGBTI health services.
So whether you’re a regular or a novice, or a local or visitor to Sydney, if you’re up for a wonderfully camp mid-week entertainment experience, then you can’t go wrong with Bingay.
LOVElines: Share some creative and social time with our older LGBTIQ communities
ACON’ s LOVE Project invites you to share some creative and social time with our older LGBTIQ communities
Ever wanted to sketch that perfect portrait or discover some creative skills you never knew you had? Ready to make new friends? Now’s your chance!
Release your inner creativity at LOVElines, a fortnightly drawing group unlike any other! Hosted by the award winning artist Guy James Whitworth, special guest models and imaginative activities will help you break through those creative blocks and social barriers.
The LOVE Project supports the health and wellbeing of older LGBTIQ people and for the first time is bringing together LGBTIQ people of all ages, gender identities, backgrounds and cultures for a fun, social, activities-based gathering. LOVElines will be a safe, respectful space where acceptance, compassion, creativity and intergenerational conversations will be thoroughly encouraged.
All materials will be supplied or bring your own if preferred.
All skills levels welcome. Don’t be shy!
Entry by donation.
Location: ACON Café 414 Elizabeth Street Surry Hills
Time: 9.30 am to 12.00 pm every other Saturday morning:
Dates:
- 6 Oct
- 20 Oct
- 3 Nov
- 17 Nov (field trip to be confirmed)
- 3 Dec
- 15 Dec
To register your interest, please contact Russ
t: 02 9206 2017
Rainbow Buzz: LGBTI Inclusive Practice Training
ACON, with the support of Central & Eastern Sydney PHN, is providing free and essential one day training, for workers who support clients experiencing issues with alcohol and/or other drugs (AOD).
Strengthen your understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people and communities to deliver more inclusive, informed and appropriate care.
Refreshments will be included.
Locations: Registration will commence as dates and venues are confirmed.
Click below for specific training locations, dates and times.
LGBTI Awareness Training
Strengthen your understanding of LGBTI people and communities to deliver more inclusive, informed and appropriate care. Session includes activities, open discussion and take home resources.
Canterbury Bankstown – LGBTI Awareness Training – Greater Sydney
When: Wednesday, 24 October, 09:30am – 2.00pm
Where: Campsie Library & Knowledge Centre, 14-28 Amy St, Campsie NSW 2194
Cost: Free
Working Group Recruitment – Asian Guys Who Like Guys
ACON is looking for guys who like guys from all Asian backgrounds to help us develop a new workshop to be held in early 2019. These workshops will be inclusive of trans guys who like guys. Our aim is to work with community members to develop a workshop that actually speaks to the issue that you care about. It could be anything from relationships, HIV and sexual health, mental health, migration, culture, identity, drugs and alcohol or even what the LGBTQI+ community looks like in Sydney. We will be holding small groups to discuss these ideas.
If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please fill out our quick survey in the form below and don’t hesitate to get in touch for more information. (All information will remain confidential).
Group discussions will be held at ACON Health Sydney Head Office.
When: 6.30pm – 8.00pm, Wednesday 5 December 2018
Where: Level 3, 414 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
If you have any questions, please feel free to send me an email to LNguyen@acon.org.au or call me on 02 9206 2188 between Wednesday and Friday.
Registration Form
