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2 SPiRiTS - Promoting Healthy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities

The 2 Spirits program aim to improve the sexual health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander gay men and sistergirls through a 'Whole of Community Approach' to education, prevention, health promotion and community development activities.

Following community consultation, the program now works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with HIV, gay men and sistergirls their partners, families and friends to explore and devleop appropriate ways of addressing sexual health issues.

This process is referred to as the 'Whole of Community Approach'.

What can QAHC 2 Spirits program do for me?

QAHC provides the following services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals:

• Printed resources and campaigns – in communities, services, via mail order or on www.qahc.org.au
• Peer education workshops, information forums and retreats for gay men, sistergirls and people living with HIV
• Social support groups in Cairns (Yupla Mipla Ahfla) and Brisbane (gar ban djee lum)
• Information, practical support and referrals for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People living with HIV
• Outreach to community events and services
• Limited supplies of condoms and lubricant

The focus of QAHC's current HIV funding is on gay men/sistergirls, however we recognise our sisters and brothers as key supportive stakeholders.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lesbians and brotherboys are also disadvantaged in our LGBT, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and mainstream community. This is of concern to QAHC and we are looking to broaden the program to become inclusive of these community members.

What can QAHC 2 Spirits program do for the community?

• Hold community forums about HIV/AIDS, sexual health, injecting drug use, discrimination and sexuality issues to increase knowledge and understanding within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Hold service provider forums about HIV, Hepatitis, sexuality and discrimination issues to improve access to services by gay men and sistergirls.
• Advocate the needs of behalf of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander gay men, sistergirls and people living with HIV.

What areas of the state do you cover?

Our headquarters are in Brisbane, with;

• 1 Program Manager who also covers Central Queensland,
• 2 Health Promotion Officers covering south east Queensland and
• 2 Health Promotion Officers in our Cairns office covering far north Quensland

Workers also provide limited 'remote' services to other parts of the state.

More information?

Phone 1800 177 434 .

Contact your nearest office:

Brisbane
Phone: 3017 1777 Email: 2spirits@qahc.org.au

Cairns
Phone: 4041 5451 Email: 2spirits@qahc.org.au

Links

This website provides resources on sexuality, gender identity, sister girls and HIV for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

www.afao.org.au