CEO Update: Long Weekend

09 Apr 2020
Thorne Harbour Health CEO, Simon Ruth, addresses our LGBTIQ and PLHIV communities as we head into the long weekend to say THANK YOU and encourage everyone to continue to look after themselves and those around them during the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Hi, I’m Simon Ruth CEO of Thorne Harbour Health
As we head into the long weekend,
I wanted to reach out on behalf of our organisation
to say ‘Thank You’ to our communities.
So many of you are taking steps to
ensure we stop the spread of COVID-19.
This has meant committing to physical distancing and finding ways to support each other.
A big thank you to our venues, our DJs and performers -
and to everyone that has found innovative ways online
for us to stay connected during this time.
You’re helping keep our communities safe.
To those of you that have listened to our messages
about avoiding casual sex –
THANK YOU
By limiting our close contact with others,
we’re preventing onward transmission of COVID-19.
This has meant having an honest and open conversation
about understanding and limiting risk
as well as finding clever ways to
be intimate during this time.
Speaking of conversations –
we’re thrilled to see so many of you engaging
with our messaging.
In the past two weeks, over 45,000 people have come to
thorneharbour.org forward slash covid19
to engage with our growing number of resources
and to look after their health and wellbeing.
On social media, thousands of you have engaged with
our health promotion messages.
Please continue to share them.
THANK YOU – to those of you that have submitted
questions about sex for Dr George Forgen Smith.
George has been producing some “very” frank video responses
that we hope you’ve enjoyed.
Keep an eye out as we post more in the coming weeks.
We’re also going to continue to roll out more content,
on ThorneHarbour.org forward slash covid19
We’ve released information tailored
for different sections of our communities –
From stopping PrEP while abstaining
to what this means for our Trans, gender diverse and non-binary communities
We also acknowledge that the current circumstances
are especially difficult for many members of our community
A big thanks to our With Respect partners
as we now have some vital information on family violence
out there for those who need it.
With the long weekend coming up,
PLEASE continue to take care of yourselves
and those around you.
This means Physical Distancing,
it means avoiding casual sex,
But this also means staying connecting with friends,
colleagues, and your chosen family.
And be sure you’re staying active.
Finally, I want to say THANK YOU
to the many volunteers and staff
who are working tirelessly
to look after the health and wellbeing of our communities.
Our services are continuing to operate for those who need them
and We’re hoping to be able to announce
new services in the coming weeks.
This will allow us to further support those in our communities
who are doing it tough.
Until then, no matter what you’re celebrating
whether its Easter, Passover, Vishu , New Year’s, Shab e-Barat, Vaisakhi or Poya
or you’re just having a long weekend
Take Care, Stay Connected, & Stay Safe.
In other news
12 Nov 2020
COVID 'Sex Bubble'
COVID-19 remains a very real threat to the health and wellbeing of the community. Since lockdown commenced our community has had to accommodate isolation, loneliness and the stresses associated with being unable to connect with others.
18 Sep 2020
CEO Update: We're Moving!
As the number of COVID-19 cases in Victoria continue to decline, Thorne Harbour CEO Simon Ruth talks to our LGBTI and HIV communities about change. This includes an upcoming change for Thorne Harbour Health as the organisation prepares to move into a new location at 200 Hoddle Street in Abbotsford and later the Victorian Pride Centre.