This drag queen is promoting HIV testing and it’s brilliantly hilarious
A famous drag queen in Australia has released a video promoting HIV and other STI tests and it is brilliant.
Maxi Shield, an iconic queen from Sydney, teamed up with the LGBT health organisation ACON to create the video which follows her journey of a check up on her sexual health.
Shield ventures into the testing centre on Oxford, a gay hotspot in Sydney.
Questions about the process of testing and preparation are all answered by the camp train thought of the queen.
“Being able to walk in and talk with someone just like you is a very reassuring experience, and one that can put men at ease who are not quite sure about the testing process,” she explained.
The queen jokes about recognising some of the other men in the clinic and hopes that she can get more intimate with them at some point.
The video has been released in conjunction with the beginning of New South Wales HIV testing week and Pride month.
ACON hopes that be promoting their test services, which are run by people from the LGBT community, then more people will feel safe in seeking out STI tests.
CEO Nicolas Parkhill is particularly interested in targeting their campaign at men who have sex with men.
He explained: “Over the last few years we’ve seen an affirming increase in the rates and frequency of testing by men across our communities.”
He added that he hoped STI testing would become a more routine part of people’s lives.
“While it is great that gay men are testing more often, there are always opportunities to build on this, and ACON will continue to work with our communities to make sure testing remains easy and accessible, and a routine part of our lives.
“Once people know their HIV status, they can take action to improve their health outcomes and prevent passing on HIV and many other STIs,” he added.
