Category: Health
Tend Pakūranga GP Dr Ji-Young Park takes us through what to expect and when to get tested. STI (sexually transmitted infection) screening can feel daunting to many people. Some of us, especially if we’re LGBTQ+, might feel embarrassed or awkward talking about sex, but STI screening should be a routine part of healthcare for anyone […]
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland has been selected to host the 30th Scientific Symposium of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) in 2028, marking the first time the global event will be held in Oceania. Running from 5 to 10 November 2028, the symposium will bring together an estimated 1,300 clinicians, researchers, educators, policymakers, and […]
Dr Mataroria Lyndon from Tend answers your health-related questions. Q – I’m bisexual and live in a small town, so I value privacy around my personal life. I’ve previously had fertility conversations with my GP during a heterosexual marriage, and I’m now in a relationship with a woman and hoping to try for children. Rather […]
Clinical psychologist Werner Briedenhann reflects on the impact of turning forty for gay men, and tells us that self-acceptance doesn’t have to be our undoing. It’s here, and you didn’t expect it. Like a sudden reaction to spicy food. Welcome to forty. You’ve arrived at a place where men don’t talk about what’s going on […]
The UK Government is signalling a significant shift in its approach to healthcare for transgender and non-binary young people, with a minister suggesting a move away from medical interventions such as puberty blockers. Speaking during a Commons debate on Tuesday, 13 January, Health Minister for Secondary Care Karin Smyth said the Government supports transitioning away […]
Three of the world’s leading trans healthcare bodies have raised serious ethical objections to the UK government’s proposed PATHWAYS trial for puberty blockers, warning that the study may violate internationally recognised standards for clinical research. In a joint statement released on 9 January, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), the European counterpart (EPATH), […]
Queer Liberation Boorloo has announced a rally this Saturday in response to the Northern Territory government’s decision to ban puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormone therapy for transgender children in the Australian state. The group is calling on the community to mobilise in solidarity with young trans people, following a spate of policy rollbacks in 2025 that have […]
Test’n’Treat is a free, peer-led sexual health service in Auckland offering rapid STI and HIV testing, treatment and prevention — no appointment needed. What Is Test’n’Treat? Test’n’Treat is a walk-in sexual health clinic run by Body Positive in partnership with Auckland Sexual Health. It’s designed to be: Fast: Get tested and treated on the same […]