AHEAD of Pride celebrations this weekend, HSE Mid West highlighted the importance of embracing sexual identity while putting a focus on the importance of sexual health and testing.
This year’s Pride parade – kicking off from 2pm today (Saturday) at Merchant’s Quay in Limerick City – will be led out by Grand Marshalls the GOSHH team (Gender Orientation, Sexual Health, and HIV), an organisation that has been promoting sexual health and diversity in the region since 1986.
Alongside many other events planned for Pride week, the GOSHH team will facilitate free rapid HIV, hepatitis C, and syphilis testing today at The Hunt Museum. Trained personal support will also be provided at the clinics.
A statement from HSE Mid West praising the organisation said that “the staff at GOSHH strive to ensure that people have access to local services which match and exceed those available in the rest of the country”.
“They provide a safe, confidential, welcoming environment for everyone, with a focus on the promotion of equality and wellbeing for all.
GOSHH CEO Verena Tarpey said the organisation is “fortunate to have such an excellent working relationship with HSE Midwest. The Sexual Health and Wellbeing committee allows us to share data, knowledge, and to work collectively to promote good sexual health for all.”
The GOSHH CEO said that the organisation “widely promotes free home testing pack services in partnership with our funders. We are also extremely proud to be an NGO partner of the National Condom Distribution Scheme.”
“Equally, we work with communities who are not as empowered to access these vital services without our assistance. We bridge this unmet need by offering alternative ways of testing in the community.
“Our rapid testing programme (for HIV, hep C, and syphilis) engages individuals who are outside the regular health services – examples include migrants, asylum seekers, homeless communities and sex workers.
“We have a testing facility that is a relaxing environment where people can feel heard. For those who have a reactive test, we provide support, counselling and referral services to other agencies.”
According to HSE Mid West, 21 cases of gonorrhoea and 243 cases of chlamydia were detected in the Mid West region in 2022 through free home testing. This increased to 84 and 372, respectively, in 2023.
Dr Kenneth Beatty, specialist in Public Health Medicine at Public Health HSE Mid West, and chairperson of the Mid West Sexual Health and Wellbeing committee, said that “it’s wonderful to able to celebrate Limerick Pride Festival again this year and especially to acknowledge all the great work our colleagues in GOSHH do to promote safe sexual health in the Mid West region.”
“While Pride is a brilliant opportunity to celebrate diversity and empowerment, it’s also an opportunity to promote safe sexual health.
“In the first five months of the year, we have seen over 380 cases of chlamydia and over 160 cases of gonorrhoea in the Mid West, so it’s more important than ever to make sure you practice safe sex, are aware of the symptoms of STIs and get tested (either through SH24, local STI clinics or your GP), if you’re worried about any symptoms.”
The HSE offers free home testing packs to test for gonorrhoea and chlamydia, which can be ordered free-of-charge at sh24.ie.
