Information and support
Websites and contacts if you want to know more about:
- kink/SM/rough sex
- HIV and sexual health
- HIV treatments
- sexual health clinics
- hepatitis
- herpes
- drugs and alcohol
- help with sexual problems.
General kink/SM/rough sex web sites
Check out the end of each HardCell Playroom section for links to sites about specific sex acts. The following sites cover a wide range of kink activity:
- www.informedconsent.co.uk includes an A to Z 'Encyclopervia' of kink
- www.bmezine.com has everything you could want to know about body mods, piercing, tats and more extreme sex
- www.wipipedia.org is a fetish and BDSM info site modelled on - and sharing a lot of content with - the famous online encyclopaedia Wikipedia.
Other sites include:
SM Gays
London-based social and educational group that also organises regular themed SM events.
GMFA
London-based gay men's health organisation. Also organises bondage and SM workshops.
Telephone: 020 7738 3712
Email: workshops@gmfa.org.uk
Spanner Trust
Learn how the law in the UK has been used against those into SM and what we can do about it at www.spannertrust.org
Safer barebacking
Advice for men who want to bareback with less risk. www.barebackjack.com
HIV and sexual health
Terrence Higgins Trust
The UK's leading HIV and sexual health charity. Has information on services provided by Terrence Higgins Trust, including counselling and HIV testing.
THT Direct
Anonymous and confidential helpline for all your questions about HIV and sexual health.
Telephone: 0845 12 21 200 (Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm, weekends noon to 6pm)
Email: info@tht.org.uk
More on what THT Direct offers is at: www.tht.org.uk/howwecanhelpyou/
Chapsonline
The CHAPS website for gay and bisexual men. These sections may be particularly useful:
- www.chapsonline.org.uk/pep has facts about Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), a treatment that can stop someone getting HIV if taken soon enough after unsafe sex.
- www.chapsonline.org.uk/together is for gay and bi men in a relationship where one has HIV and the other doesn't.
- www.chapsonline.org.uk/getiton is all about condoms, lube and how best to use them.
- www.chapsonline.org.uk/infections has facts on common sexually transmitted infections and using genito urinary medicine (GUM) clinics.
- www.chapsonline.org.uk/biology has facts about HIV and the biology of transmission, and how research has shown how poppers can affect this.
Your rights
This site has information on your rights (confidentiality, making complaints, dealing with discrimination and so on) when using the Health Service, including GPs, dentists, sexual health/HIV clinics and other hospital departments:
www.tht.org.uk/healthcarerights
HIV, sex and the law
This site has important information about recent prosecutions for infecting others with HIV: www.tht.org.uk/prosecutions
HIV treatments
As well as Terrence Higgins Trust, these organisations have detailed information about HIV treatments:
NAM
HIV i-Base
Treatments helpline: 0808 800 6013 (Monday to Wednesday 12pm to 4pm)
Sexual health clinics
For details of all sexual health/GUM clinics in the UK check out:
HIV testing
For details of one hour HIV testing services provided across the country:
- www.tht.org.uk/fastest (Terrence Higgins Trust testing centres)
- www.youchoose.org.uk (includes other services; click on 'testing centres')
Hepatitis
For information on hepatitis there's:
- www.hepinfo.org has more detailed information on hepatitis A,B and C
- www.hivandhepatitis.com
- www.aidsmap.com (search for 'hepatitis', then click on 'patient information')
For specific info on hepatitis C look at the www.hcvadvocate.org website or contact:
Hepatitis C Trust
Helpline: 0845 223 4424 (for times see website)
NHS Hepatitis C information
Information line: 0800 451 451 (7am to 11pm every day)
Herpes
Herpes Viruses Association
Helpline: 0845 12 32 305 (4pm to 8pm weekdays)
Or check out these websites:
Drugs and alcohol
Check out the end of each separate HardCell Lab section for links to sites about specific drugs. The following sites and organisations cover drug use in general.
Drugfucked
Information about the reactions between recreational drugs and HIV medications www.tht.org.uk/drugfucked
Talk To Frank
Information and support around drug use
Helpline: 0800 77 66 00 (24 hours a day)
Email: via the web site
Antidote
London service including one-to-one counselling and support groups for lesbian, gay and bisexual, and transgender people concerned about their drug use
Telephone: 020 7437 3523
www.thehungerford.org/antidote.asp
Urban75
Website and messageboard with a 'bullshit free' drugs information section.
Erowid
Expansive site dedicated to drug use, including users posting their experiences of various substances.
Release
Help and information about drugs and the law.
Questions can be sent to ask@release.org.uk.
Narcotics Anonymous
Helpline: 0845 373 3366 (24 hours a day)
Terrence Higgins Trust
In London Terrence Higgins Trust has specialist help for gay and bisexual men around their drug and alcohol use. Call either THT Direct on 0845 12 21 200 or phone 020 7812 1777.
Help with sexual problems
You can get free treatment on the NHS with a referral from your doctor or a GUM clinic. You can also see a sex or relationship counsellor/therapist at:
Terrence Higgins Trust
Centres around the UK.
For local details call THT Direct on 0845 12 21 200.
Callers in London can also call 020 7812 1777.
PACE
Free or low cost counselling for gay and bisexual men in London
Telephone: 020 7700 1323
British Association for Sexual and Relationship Therapy
Private, (paid for) counselling.
Pink Therapy
Private (paid for) counselling service.
Your local gay men's health project will have information on local services too.