U=U improves sense of self with many believing it will reduce HIV-related stigma

Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) messaging makes some HIV-positive men feel better about their HIV status, with many believing that it also lessens the stigma associated with living with HIV, according to the research published in the journal of AIDS Patient Care and STDs.

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Pronouns In Email Signatures – Why Are Staff Doing This?

Over the past 3 years George House Trust has been working towards becoming a more inclusive and welcoming organisation for Trans people.  Staff members set up a Trans Inclusion Working Group to look at all the ways we could achieve this aim and some encouraging progress has been made in a number of areas.  The group believes that adding pronouns to our staff’s email signatures is the next logical step in becoming a more trans inclusive organisation, and that it aligns with the goals of the Trans Inclusion Statement which was approved by the Board of Trustees in 2019.  A copy of the statement can be found here.

We recognise that this topic might be quite new to many people so we thought it would be helpful to provide some brief explanations.

What do you mean by ‘Transgender’ or ‘Trans’?

Trans is an umbrella term to describe people whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth.

Some trans people identify as neither male or female, or as a combination of both male and female.  They may use terms such as gender non-conforming, non-binary or genderqueer to describe their gender identity.

If you would like more info Stonewall have produced this in depth guide ‘The Truth about Trans’.

What are pronouns?

You may not know the word “pronoun,” but you use them every day!  Pronouns are used instead of a proper noun (like a person’s name).  We use pronouns regularly when mentioning someone without using their name.

Example: Have you seen Julia?  She hasn’t texted me back all day.  She is the pronoun.

Many non-binary people prefer to use gender neutral pronouns such as they and them.

Why is it important to add pronouns to our email signatures?

In English, our most commonly used pronouns (he/she) specifically refer to a person’s gender.  For gender non-conforming, non-binary, and transgender people, these pronouns may not fit, can create discomfort, and can cause stress and anxiety.

Adding pronouns to an email signature has the practical benefit of making clear how you would like to be referred to, while also signalling to the person receiving the email that you will respect their gender identity and their choice of pronouns.  It is an effective way of normalising discussions about gender and creating a more inclusive environment for transgender and non-binary staff, volunteers and service users.

As an organisation we recognise that our work towards becoming more inclusive and welcoming to trans and non-binary people is never done.  Including pronouns on our email signatures is a small but important step on that journey.

Two-thirds of people living with HIV would like to try injectable treatment

Two-thirds of people on HIV treatment would like to switch to a long-acting injectable regimen, according to a four-country survey presented to the virtual HIV Glasgow conference this week. Healthcare professionals answering the same survey thought fewer people – a quarter – would end up switching.

The survey was run on behalf of ViiV Healthcare, who make injectable cabotegravir/rilpivirine, so it might be expected to come up with a favourable result. However, an independently run Italian survey found an even greater level of interest, with 89% of respondents being interested in injectables.

Read more here

Queens Award Ceremony

On Wednesday the 30th of September George House Trust volunteers were joined by the Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Anna Reeves for a fabulous evening of festivities to celebrate being awarded the prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. 

There were so many jolly faces present, all adorned in hats of varying shapes and sizes, creating a carnivalesque atmosphere. Pride emanated through the screen when Anna kindly read her citation and summed up our work by saying,

“This ground-breaking transformational organisation is changing lives and challenging attitudes towards people living with HIV.”

Kind words were shared by staff members, commissioners and our patron Russell T Davies, highlighting the incredible contribution of George House Trust volunteers, and how we really couldn’t do it without them.

Rachel Purvis

Volunteer Co-ordinator