The Informer

We speak to equality advocate Riley Briese who Premier Daniel Andrews named Volunteer of the year for his work supporting young transgender people in regional Victoria.

Equality Advocate Riley Briese has been honoured by being named Premier Daniel Andrews Volunteer of the year, for his work supporting young transgender people in regional Victoria.

Dean Arcuri spoke to Riley about what this meant to him, and found out exactly how he has helped to improve and change the lives of trangender people across regional Victoria.

 

This interview originally aired in 13 February 2018 on JOY 94.9

On tonight’s show, we head to Geelong where Dean Arcuri covers the inaugural Geelong Pride March as a part of the Geelong Rainbow Festival. It that saw religious protesters drowned out by LGBTIQ celebration, proving that if you stand tall with pride, nothing can stop you.

This weekend, 75 kilometres south of Melbourne, Geelong exploded with colour and pride as they held the first Geelong Rainbow Pride Festival, that brought the communities LGBTIQ and Allied community together.

It also saw the first Pride March for the town, and while the weekend was filled with community pride, the march saw protesters try to rain on Geelong’s Parade.

This interview originally aired in 13 February 2018 on JOY 94.9.

Darcy Meeham , and find out where Australia ranks, and where we can improve in creating a more supportive environment for our gender diverse and trans communities.

A global study examined social studies towards trangender people, and found that 2 in 5 Australians purposely misgender trans people.

We took a look at this data to find out how inclusive Australia is when it comes to global tran attitudes.

What do we need to change and where should we begin?

This interview originally aired in 13 February 2018 on JOY 94.9

 

On tonight’s show, we head to Geelong’s first pride march, that saw religious protesters drowned out by LGBTIQ celebration, proving that if you stand tall with pride, nothing can stop you.

We speak to equality advocate Riley Briese who Premier Daniel Andrews named Volunteer of the year for his work supporting young transgender people in regional Victoria.

And we look at a recent survey that looked at how we treat transgender people globally, and find out where Australia ranks, and where we can improve in creating a more supportive environment for our gender diverse and trans communities.

Also, a reminder that Wednesday the 14th of February is the final day for online submissions for Phillip Ruddocks Religious Freedom Review.

With evidence taken in private sessions, it is more important than ever that we make sure our voices are heard. Religious organizations do not need protection from our community, and preventive laws are not the way forward.

It is in our hands how this will play out, you can send a submission to [email protected]

This episode of The Informer was hosted by Ruby Susan  aired on 13th February 2018 on JOY 94.9.

On this episode of The Informer, we look further into Fridays announcement that the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee has recommended that pre-exposure prophylaxis, better known as PrEP, will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, making this game changing tool for HIV prevention accessible across Australia.

How will the new cost of PrEP affect the community that currently get it for free or discounted through a trial?

Are our general practitioners ready for conversations around sexual health prevention, treatment as prevention and more?

And how do we move the conversation past men who have sex with men, for protection across the nation and combat the stigma that still exists surrounding HIV?

This show was hosted by Lara Dickinson and aired in 12 February 2018 on JOY 94.9.

Victoria’s PrEPX Study had the fastest response that any Prep trial had worldwide, with over 4000 Victorians currently accessing PrEP thanks to the trial.

It was something we discussed a lot here on JOY. The Informers Dean and Dan often said it was something that they were going to do, but never crossed the line to become one of the participants.

What were the barriers for them?

Last Thursday before PBACs decision, they sat down and discussed what had held them back from simply taking one pill a day to help stop prevent the spread of HIV.

This interview originally aired in 12 February 2018 on JOY 94.9.

Today, the Andrews Labor Government announced that they will fund an extension to the game-changing PrEPX study to continue protecting Victorians at risk of HIV exposure.

With the study set to conclude at the end of March, Victorians participating the study will now receive an extension till the end of June, until they can transition to accessing PrEP through their GPs.

This interview originally aired in 12 February 2018 on JOY 94.9.

If PrEP is on the PBS, it is estimated that the cost of the HIV prevention drug per month will only be $39.95, a significant reduction. However the reality is that that monthly cost is still something many cannot afford.

Although it looks like continuing to import PrEP will still be the cheapest way to access the drug, Dean Arcuri sat down with Micheal Whealan from PrEP Access Now to find out where people go from here.

PrEP Access Now is a not-for-profit that aims to lead the way in Australia in contributing to the end of HIV, by improving access to PrEP for those who need it, by providing their own service to support people who cannot afford PrEP.

This interview originally aired in 12 February 2018 on JOY 94.9.

 

Globally, PrEP has proved to be highly effective at preventing the acquisition of HIV, but now the challenge is making it accessible and affordable.

PrEP is one of the most effective HIV prevention tools available. When taken daily, it can reduce the risk of HIV transmission by up to 99 per cent.

Together with condoms, frequent and regular sexual health screening and effective treatments for people living with HIV, Australians have more tools than ever to prevent HIV.

After Fridays decision that the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee has recommended that pre-exposure prophylaxis, better known as PrEP, will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme , Dean Arcuri spoke to Australian Federation of AIDS chief executive, Darryl O’Donnell about the future of Australian HIV prevention.

This interview originally aired in 12 February 2018 on JOY 94.9.

On Friday the 9th of February we will find out whether pre-exposure prophylaxis will be approved for federal subsidy. This would bring the price of the daily preventative drug that reduces the risk of HIV infection down to an affordable cost of many Australians.

 

Although the decision is announced on Friday, on Wednesday evening, Fairfax Media reported that that a positive decision was ‘almost certain’.

Grass Roots action has been pivotal in mobilising communication and education about PREP in Victoria. Dean Arcuri spoke to Michael Whealan from PREP ACCESS NOW and Chris Williams from PREP’d for CHANGE about why this has occurred, and what comes next if PREP is subsidised.

This segment of The Informer aired on  JOY 94.9 on 8th February 2018.