It is our mission to promote and open up conversations about sexual health and wellbeing. The Sexual Health Team appear at a wide variety of venues and events; from food banks, cabaret nights and libraries, to art exhibitions, saunas or Fresher’s Fairs – we’ll have a conversation anywhere!

Get in touch to book free outreach for your event or venue, or to recommend a location we should visit, somewhere near you. Take a look below to find out a bit more about what outreach can look like and offer.

Advice and signposting

Our knowledgeable and friendly team of staff and volunteers will be on hand to chat. 

We cover a large variety of sexual wellbeing topics, as well as being able to discuss LGBT Foundation’s wider service offer.

Stall staff can let you know about exciting events and groups that are coming up, as well as advise and recommend a range of services and support for LGBTQ+ people and their allies within and beyond sexual health.

Free resources

Our stalls are made up of a variety of guides and resources. 

You’ll be able to pick up information on topics like testing, HIV & U=U, safe chest binding, PrEP, syphilis and shigella as well as our famous Anal, Oral & Vaginal Sex Guides and much, much more!

If you’d like us to leave some with you for your own distribution, or request something particular, just let us know!

Condoms and Lube

All our stalls provide free condoms and lube! 

Each of our standard condom packs contain two regular latex condoms, 10 ml of water-based lube and a handy services guide. 

Did you know you can order condoms and lube from us, and we’ll deliver them for free, to your door? We have greater variety of styles and choices online too, check out our order form for more information!

Pleasure parade

Event a bit too crowded for a traditional stall, too loud for a proper chat? Meet the Pleasure Parade!

Armed with fairy lights, buckets and ‘ice cream trays’ bursting with sexual health goodies (and sweets for good measure) this is community engagement at its juiciest! 

Convenient for covering a larger outdoor area, or club venues with multiple floors, we have popped up at all kinds of events to champion safer and more pleasurable sex for everyone.

Home Testing Kits

We’re very excited to now be able to offer free home-testing kits from our outreach stalls*. 

These HIV & STI screening kits can be picked up from the stall staff. We have a quick chat about if the service is right for you, fill in a form and the test is yours to take away with you! Postage is pre-paid, so all you need to do is follow the instructions in the box, and pop your samples in the post box to be sent to the lab.

*Please note this service is subject to eligibility and availability and will not be automatically provided on all stalls.

OUR SEX GUIDES

We know that there are many different types of vaginas and people who have them. People will express their gender and sexuality in different ways and will use their vaginas in different ways.

Woman, man, non-binary, cisgender, trans? Whether you’ve had any surgery or not, this guide is for you and your vagina.

We realise not all the information will apply to you, but there is something for every vagina, and hopefully, the parts that are relevant to you will help you have safer and better vaginal sex. This guide also discusses other body parts, so that you can be more informed about the people you may be having sex with and their bodies.

VAGINAL SEX GUIDE

Oral sex can be great, whether you’re giving or receiving it, and there are lots of reasons why people might do oral.

For some people, it can really turn them on to see their partner(s) having a good time, and other people enjoy it as part of foreplay before having other kinds of sex.

Oral sex means different things to different people, and we have tried to cover as much information in this guide as we can. Some stuff might not be relevant to you, but there is a little something for everyone in here. We hope the information in this guide will help you to have better, safer, and more fulfilling oral sex!

ORAL SEX GUIDE

Anal sex can be a really amazing experience and something that people can do and enjoy regardless of their sexuality, gender, or trans status.

People will express their gender and sexuality in different ways and will use their bodies in different ways. There might be some stuff in this guide that is not relevant to you, but there is a little something for everyone!

We hope that this guide will help you to have better, safer, and more satisfying anal sex!

ANAL SEX GUIDE

STIs are common and can be caused by:

• Viruses – herpes, hepatitis, HIV, and genital warts.
• Bacteria – Bacterial Vaginosis, Chlamydia, Donovanosis, Gonorrhoea, Shigella, and Syphilis.
• Parasites – Crabs, Scabies, Trichomonas Vaginali, or fungi such as Thrush.

If you are having sex it’s good to get tested for STIs regularly – at least once a year or more often if you have casual or multiple partners. You can test with us for the most common STIs or access a sexual health clinic for testing and treatment if you have symptoms.

What symptoms might I have?

It’s important to note that some STIs may not have any symptoms at all, which is why regular testing is recommended. If you have symptoms contact a sexual health clinic. 

How do I stop myself from getting an STI? 

To prevent STIs during sex, condoms are a top choice, but remember that crabs and scabies spread through skin-to-skin contact. Consider using gloves or condoms over your fingers as an extra precaution. Changing condoms between partners is essential, as STIs can be carried in bodily fluids.

Clean sex toys regularly and use a fresh condom over the toy between partners as STIs can be carried in bodily fluids like vaginal discharge, anal mucus, or blood which can be on the outside of the condom. These steps will help you enjoy sex while staying confident and in control of your sexual health. 

Where can I Test?

You can get tested for STIs at sexual health (GUM) clinics, if you’re LGBTQ+ and live in Greater Manchester or Liverpool you can also test with us:

TEST WITH US

Testing for, treatment of, and living with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) has changed radically over the last few decades. With developments in HIV medication (anti-retroviral treatment or ART), the majority of people living with HIV can achieve an undetectable viral load.

This does not mean that the HIV is gone, it means that copies of the HIV virus cannot be detected using particular tests.

The results are given per millilitre of blood and, if the results are undetectable, this means that there are fewer than 50, 40, or sometimes 20, copies per ml. 95% of people in the UK become undetectable after 6 months of treatment, and medical guidelines suggest that someone who receives a positive diagnosis (i.e. tests positive for HIV) should be placed on treatment as soon as possible – usually between 20 to 30 days of testing positive but often within a few days.

Study after study has shown that someone with an undetectable viral load is unable to pass the virus on to someone else. This is sometimes also called Treatment as Prevention or TasP. This is a fantastic development because it means that if someone living with HIV (is HIV positive) has unprotected sex with someone who is HIV negative (not living with HIV) they can’t pass on the virus. However, being undetectable does not protect a person from other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) so regular sexual health screenings are still recommended if the person is sexually active, and being undetectable does not prevent pregnancy.

The term Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) is a really powerful way that we can help reduce the fear that many people still have of HIV and the stigma this creates for people living with HIV.

Nevertheless, there remain some people who are unable to achieve an undetectable viral load for various reasons (personal, medical, psychological, or physical), and it is important that these HIV-positive people are not treated any differently both socially and in accessing services.

PEP (Post-exposure prophylaxis) is a strong combination of HIV medicines that can help stop you from getting HIV after potentially being exposed to it. It is an emergency medication that can be accessed from A&E or by phoning your local sexual health clinic.

Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a 28-day course of medication, and you need to start taking it within 72 hours of unprotected sex. It will be more effective the quicker you take it, with some guidelines recommending that you start within 24 or 48 hours.

You can get PEP from a sexual health clinic when they are open, and from A&E at any time. You cannot get PEP from your GP.

When you arrive, you should explain to the member of staff on front desk that you think you have been exposed to HIV and would like to take PEP. We have a downloadable card at the bottom of this page which you can use if you do not want to say this.

Click here to find your nearest A&E

Click here to find your nearest GUM

What will happen once I ask for PEP?

Once you have asked for PEP at the sexual health clinic or A&E you will be asked to wait until you can be seen by a doctor or nurse. The doctor or nurse will then take you through to a private room to speak to you. Because PEP is expensive, they will ask questions about the potential exposure incident to figure out if there is a high risk of HIV transmission. They will likely ask about:

• The person you had sex with and if they have HIV. If they are HIV positive they may also ask about the person’s viral load, because if they are undetectable there is no risk of transmission. They may also ask if they are from a high-risk group for HIV (Black African and/or gay, bi, or other MSM)
• What kinds of sex you had, and whether you were the receptive partner (the bottom) or the insertive partner (the top).
• If there were any methods of protection, such as a condom or PrEP, and if these were used incorrectly meaning that they were ineffective.

You may be more likely to be given PEP if:

• there is another STI present (the person presenting knows they have one or they have symptoms).
• If the risk incident was sexual assault
• If you were the insertive partner and were uncircumcised.

What will happen if you’re given PEP?

If the doctor or nurse thinks it is necessary for you to take PEP they will explain how to take it and what you need to do. You will also be offered a rapid HIV test to make sure you are HIV-negative before starting to take PEP.

For PEP to have the best chance of working it must be taken exactly as instructed by a doctor and for 28 days. Skipping doses, or not taking it for the full month, makes it likely that PEP will not work – if you miss more than 48 hours of PEP it will be discontinued.

You will also need to go back to have an HIV test 4-6 weeks after finishing PEP to see if it has worked.

HIV has come a long way since the 80s, but social stigma persists. Treatment is effective and manageable, and regular testing is key to fighting transmission. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a person living with HIV undetectable and untransmittable (U=U). Condoms and lube, as well as game-changing medications like PrEP and PEP, are great tools to stop transmission. While HIV is still a lifelong, chronic illness with no cure, we can continue to make strides to reduce transmission and fight HIV stigma together.

What is HIV and who is at risk? 

HIV is a virus that damages your immune system, leaving you open to everyday infections. Although there’s no cure, early diagnosis, and treatment can manage the condition and help people living with HIV lead long and healthy lives.

HIV is transmitted through direct and prolonged exposure to bodily fluids such as blood, semen, anal mucus, and vaginal fluid. HIV can affect anyone, but some people are more at risk, such as gay, bi, and other men who have sex with men, and Black African populations. New HIV diagnoses are declining in some areas, but increasing in others, so regular testing is important. 

Preventing HIV and living well with HIV

Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV, but medications PEP and PrEP also significantly reduce transmission risk. Most people don’t have symptoms when they become infected with HIV, so getting tested regularly is essential for early detection and treatment.

If you are living with HIV and on effective treatment, levels of HIV in the blood can be brought down to undetectable levels, people living with HIV and undetectable can’t pass HIV on to sexual partners this is known as U=U. 

PEP and PrEP: How to Get Them? 

Post- Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is an emergency medication that must be started within 72 hours of a possible HIV exposure, it’s available from Sexual Health Clinics, or A&E departments if they are closed.  

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is available on the NHS via sexual health clinics, PrEP is a daily or on-demand pill that can greatly reduce your risk of contracting HIV during sex. With regular use, it’s been shown to be up to 99% effective. No more worrying about the risk of HIV transmission – PrEP can give you peace of mind and help you enjoy your sex life to the fullest. 

Get tested with LGBT Foundation 

We’re so excited to announce that the refurbishment is complete and our clinic rooms in our centre at Fairbairn House are ready! 

Use our booking system below to choose your testing method or reach out to us at sexualhealth@lgbt.foundation if you have any questions.

If you are sexually active, getting tested for STIs and HIV is an essential part of taking care of your overall health. LGBT Foundation provides free, confidential, and non-judgmental STI and HIV testing services for LGBTQ+ people aged 18+ and men who have sex with men across Greater Manchester.  

Our staff will guide you through the process and provide support if needed. 

 

Our staff will go through a well-being assessment with you and test for the following: 

• Chlamydia (14 days) 
• Gonorrhoea (14 days) 
• Hepatitis B&C (90 days) 
• HIV (45 days) 
• Rapid HIV test (90 days) 
• Syphilis (90 days) 

The number of days refers to the time needed after exposure to the infection, for the test to provide an accurate result, this is called a window period.

What is PEP?

PEP is an emergency course of medication that can help stop you from getting HIV after potential exposure. You can get PEP from your nearest sexual health clinic, or from an A&E department.

If you are not living with HIV and have had unprotected sex in the last 72 hours, you might benefit from PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). To find out more visit our PEP page. 

What is PrEP? 

PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It involves a person who doesn’t have HIV, regularly taking a pill to reduce their risk of HIV infection.

It takes some time for the right levels of PrEP to be in your system and this needs to be maintained, particularly if you think you might have more riskier sex encounters. To find out more visit our PrEP page.

Have you heard of U=U?

The term Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) is a really powerful way that we can help reduce the fear that many people still have of HIV and the stigma this creates for people living with HIV.

Studies have shown that someone with an undetectable viral load is unable to pass the virus on to someone else. To find out more visit our U=U page.

Updated: 21 August 2024:
The WHO has declared a ‘global health emergency’ concerning a new strain of mpox. We are working with other health organisations and closely monitoring developments.

Mpox is a viral infection and is not currently classified as an STI. We understand that recent media reports may increase anxiety, but the advice regarding mpox remains unchanged since 2022.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with our sexual health team.

What is mpox and how is it spread? 

Mpox is a viral infection that can be passed on through close contact, including skin-to-skin contact during sex, kissing, sharing bedding, towels, or clothing, and droplets from coughs/ sneezes. While mpox is currently more common among men who have sex with men, it can affect anyone, be aware of the symptoms, including fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue.

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact a medical professional. Call 111 or a sexual health clinic if you have a new rash, especially on your face or genitals, or if you’ve been in contact with someone who has mpox. 

Getting vaccinated

The smallpox vaccine can protect against mpox. Check eligibility and book your appointment now. Your second dose may be needed 2-3 months after the first. The first doses are available until June 17, 2023, and second doses until July 31, 2023. If you have trouble booking online, contact your local sexual health clinic or email sexualhealth@lgbt.foundation for support. We can’t arrange vaccines but can help with the process.

For more information about mpox, watch our Q&A video below (recorded Aug 2, 2022, so some information may be out of date).

What is PrEP?

PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It involves a person who doesn’t have HIV, regularly taking a pill to reduce their risk of HIV infection.

It takes some time for the right levels of PrEP to be in your system and this needs to be maintained, particularly if you think you might have more riskier sex encounters.

If you intend to have receptive frontal sex, you need to take PrEP every day for 1 week before and 1 week after sex. The medication takes longer for PrEP to be absorbed into vaginal tissue in comparison to the rectum.

If you intend on having receptive anal sex there are two ways to take PrEP: daily or on-demand.

For most people taking PrEP daily allows them peace of mind that they’ll have enough of the medication in their system to prevent HIV exposure even if they miss a dose. However, some people may prefer to take PrEP just ahead of having sex as you might not be having sex regularly.

This is sometimes referred to as “event-based dosing” or “on-demand dosing”. It is important that you know how to dose PrEP properly for your chosen way of taking it.

Monitoring

It’s important you continue to regularly test for HIV and STIs whilst you’re taking PrEP. It’s recommended you do so every 3 months (within exposure window periods) to give you peace of mind.

It is advisable to have both a blood test (that tests for creatinine and eGFR in the blood) and a dipstick urine test (that tests for protein in the urine) before starting PrEP, or as soon after starting as possible. These tests should be available for free at NHS sexual health clinics in your area- if you have any trouble accessing these essential tests please refer to this guide from Prepster (PDF).

PrEPster is a great resource for learning more about PrEP and whether it might be something for you or someone you know.

LGBT Foundation believes PrEP should be available to anyone who might be at higher risk of HIV infection regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Where can I get PrEP?

In the spring of 2020, the Department of Health and Social Care announced plans for the rollout of PrEP in England on the NHS. Now, in November 2021, PrEP is now free from most NHS sexual health clinics across the UK.

In order to access PrEP this way, you will need to contact your clinic to book an appointment. To find your local sexual health clinic using a postcode search, click on the links below that correspond with the area that you live in:

• England
• Northern Ireland
• Scotland
• Wales

If you live outside of the UK, have a look at iWantPrEPNow.com, where you can purchase PrEP online.

LGBT Foundation advocates for self-prescribing where treatment is not accessible from the public health service. It’s important that you have access to medication guidance and work with your healthcare provider (a sexual health clinic, GP, or hospital) to regularly assess how the medication is affecting your health.

Know your HIV and Hepatitis B status

It’s really important that you’re sure you’re not living with HIV before starting PrEP. If somebody who is living with HIV but unaware of their status begins a course of PrEP, the virus could develop resistance to the anti-HIV medication that is used for PrEP. This could lead to potentially serious treatment complications in the future.

You also need to be tested for the Hepatitis B virus to rule out an active Hepatitis B infection. You can still use PrEP if you have a Hepatitis B infection but you must get advice from a health professional.

PrEP can cause a decline in kidney function though this isn’t common. It is important to have a kidney function test before you start to use PrEP and at regular intervals so that any problems can be identified. PrEP might not be suitable for you if you have problems with your kidneys.

Whilst you’re testing for HIV it’s recommended you have a full sexual health screening for other STIs. This is because there’s a risk of exposure to STIs during sex.

Why do we need PrEP?

There is a higher prevalence (more people living with HIV and who haven’t been diagnosed) in particular places in the UK including Manchester. This means there might be a higher risk of people contracting HIV, particularly if they’re having riskier sex. Some factors that might contribute to you being at higher risk are:

• A recent STI
• Use of PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis)
• Engaging in Chemsex (using drugs such as crystal meth, mephedrone, or GHB during sex)

We can have safer sex by using condoms, but not everyone likes to use condoms or they might feel pressured not to use them. PrEP gives people another option to prevent contracting HIV.

Does PrEP have side effects?

Any medicine can have side effects, so taking PrEP is a serious decision. The drugs in PrEP have been used as part of HIV treatment for many years and treatment has developed over time to have much fewer side effects. Most people taking PrEP don’t report side effects. Some people have stomach problems, headaches, and tiredness during the first month but these usually go away.

If you are experiencing issues with medication it’s important that you speak to your GP. Healthcare professionals have a duty of care to ensure that you’re healthy and well. This includes accessing renal function testing (kidney) at a hospital to assess whether the medication is having any negative impacts on your immune system.

Dealing with PrEP shaming

Unfortunately, some people don’t advocate for PrEP and in turn shame people who want to access PrEP. If you’re accessing PrEP you’re taking control of your sexual health and helping to fight the onward transmission of HIV. We’re proud to support people taking PrEP because it improves sexual health and well-being.

Some people claim that using PrEP means people take more risks in their sex lives. However, in 2 studies it was found that there was no difference in the number of men diagnosed with other STIs between those on PrEP and those not on PrEP. At LGBT Foundation we’re sex-positive and believe that people should have the opportunity to have fantastic sex with their partners without shame and discrimination from other people.

If you would like to chat with us in confidence about the sex you’re having/want to have, advocating for safer sex, or about your sexual health and well-being, you talk with a member of the Sexual Health Team by completing this online form.