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SEXUAL HEALTH
Sex, drugs, PrEP and HIV testing
SEXUAL HEALTH

We know how feelings of loneliness, wanting to be loved, belonging, sexual performance and body image can cause a lot of pressure, fear and anxiety. Especially when you arrive in a new country where being lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) is safe and welcome. Adapting to this new freedom, the pressure and loneliness of not knowing many people can have negative effects, leading many to seek help in drugs and alcohol. 

As a result, many men end up at chemsex parties, often organised through dating apps. Ketamine, ecstasy, GHB and crystal meth are often used here. The drugs and alcohol may initially seem to help with anxiety, fear, sexual performance and so on, but it can quickly become problematic and change who you are and what you do, putting you at risk of SoA and HIV infections and the possibility of addiction.

In Choices, we hear about men who meet and hook up with men via Grindr, just for a place to stay outside the asylum centre. The result is that many asylum seekers do things out of fear of staying in the centre that they might not want to do. We call this 'survival sex'. Although it may seem like a good choice at first, sometimes you will have to do things that you may not feel comfortable with, which causes feelings of shame and guilt. When under the influence of GHB and/or other drugs, you run the risk of being raped, sexually abused or having an overdose. 

If you find that you feel the need to stay with people you meet on a dating app because of the fear of staying in the AZC, or you find that you go to too many parties, come and talk to us. We may not be able to change your living situation right away, but we can provide psychological counselling and help you to change your current situation. At Choices we can also get you started with PrEP and arrange an appointment for an STI or HIV test.

GGD Amsterdam helps Choices asylum seekers/newcomers members to start PrEP in a short time. If you have had unprotected - condomless - sex we can also arrange an STI and HIV test for you at the GGD. If you would like an HIV test today, Choices offers our members free HIV self-tests to take at home and with video support for taking the test.

Wet body. Men in the shower.
LGBT couple making selfie in bed. Togetherness concept.
Potrait,Or,Brazilian,Gay,Man,Smiling
Homosexual couple, gay people, same sex marriage between hispanic men. Man in bedroom holding condom for safe sex.
Young gay couple lying on bed in bedroom. Enjoying in morning. Wearing pajamas. Caucasian ethnicity, blond hair.
Skewers and romance. Sexual pair at the mirror.
Colour image depicting a young man in a crowd at the Pride in London Parade on Saturday July 6th, 2019 on Regent Street - which is in the city centre of London, UK The young man has a large rainbow coloured heart painted on his back. The rainbow colours are a symbol of the LGBTQ community. Regent Street is filled with people who are wearing colourful outfits, face and body paint, and the rainbow flag is prevalent.The young man has his back towards the camera, in the direction of the parade and appears to have his head slightly faced downwards.Pride in London is an annual LGBT pride festival and parade held each summer in London, the Capital of the United Kingdom.
Happy,Gay,Couple,Embraced,,Joking,And,Having,Fun,In,An
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To talk to us about your sex and drug use, register here.

 
Do you want to know more about PrEP?
PrEP means Pre-exposure Prophylaxis. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an HIV prevention strategy whereby HIV-negative people take anti-HIV medicines before coming into contact with HIV to reduce their risk of infection. The medications prevent HIV from infecting the body.
 
Want to know more about HIV testing and self-testing? 

Choices can refer you to get tested at the GGD, TransHealth clinic or AHF. If you are interested in self-testing, Choices can provide you with a free HIV oral self-test. For a free oral HIV self-test or an appointment to have PrEP, and HIV or STD testing at one of our partner organisations, please contact Louis Seghetto: louis@choicescenter.nl 

For more information on PrEP, testing and self-testing click on these links 
https://www.ggd.amsterdam.nl/infectieziekten/soa-hiv-sense/prep/
https://www.soapoli-online.nl/soa-en-soatesten
https://www.mantotman.nl 
https://www.prepnu.nl
 
Watch these videos on testing and self-testing 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I7jZFLXdaY 
https://www.soapoli-online.nl/#
 
Here are links for information on Chemsex and drug use 
https://youtu.be/zKwS3L2ooG8
https://youtu.be/HlFPm75JAug
https://mainline.nl/posts/show/11916/chemsex 

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Now that our help is needed more than ever, we are asking for YOUR help. Support Choices with a donation! Choices is an ANBI registered foundation, so donations are tax deductible.

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Choices Support Center

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info@choicescenter.nl
Weesperplein 4 b
1018 XA Amsterdam
Chamber of Commerce 69641005
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