Comments on: The Wickham Hotel refuses to host gay health surveys

By: Act Up Queensland

Act Up Queensland — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 08:55:53 +0000

What reasons could the PR Manager of the Wickham have to refuse rapid testing, the distribution of health education and condoms, and the completion of important data gathering surveys by their patrons? It’s reasonable to ask this because the answer to date is that these things are uncomfortable and confronting to patrons. Really? From here this looks a little disingenuous and what it most looks like is a sidelining of important HIV outreach work at what has been the most important LGBT venue in the city. It appears to be a perfect example of the casual way that HIV is often disavowed in the entire community. This resistance to education is at the heart of continued rising rates of HIV in the state. It is an attitude of denial and needs a swift reminder that silence equals death. It appears that the Wickham does not wish to be tainted by the reality of HIV and wants to dissociate itself from the possibly dirty reputation that it has. This was further re-enforced by Patrick McDonald’s own hook-up profile where he’s looking for men who are HIV negative only. What the fcuk is he doing on the AIDS council?

By: Russell Harrower

Russell Harrower — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 00:41:13 +0000

In reply to Russell Harrower.

I think I have filled out the VIC questionair 3 years in a row. And nothing chances the ads are still the same.

You want to get noticed and be seen as productively fighting HIV infection – that’s great!

But do it with t-shirts that say “WOULD U FUCK ME?” On the front and on the back “AM POZ” with a link to the questionair.

It’s effective and will get ppl looking

By: Russell Harrower

Russell Harrower — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 00:30:13 +0000

There are many ways to do this survey if they must – don’t kick up a stink about a pub or club not allowing it in there venue.

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 00:22:33 +0000

In reply to Jason. Hey Jason - agree that surveys should be done online when it's possible, but this year in particular it looks like it can't be. They also asking men to provide a saliva sample to help estimate HIV prevalence, and prevalence of undiagnosed HIV. Take a look at the link at the end of the article.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 05:44:46 +0000

Isnt a bar a place you go to relax and not have to go through psycho analysis. What I got sick of the scene years ago when you couldnt have a peaceful drink without survey people coming around pestering you thinking all gay people are likely to have HIV and sleep with multiple partners. The shock look on their faces when I told them Im a proud catholic and not into their dumb questions. No wonder people dont want to go out to gay bars these days. Marketing/opinion poll madness and overpriced drinks and not being able to smoke there any more

By: ben

ben — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 04:43:14 +0000

Good on you. You go there for fun, not to be analysed. I can’t imagine gathering informantion from drunk people would be very useful or accurate? I’ve never been in a ‘straight’ club/bar and been asked to complete a survey either, why choose this type of venue/environment for research specimens?

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 22:18:33 +0000

In reply to Patrick. I agree. Although I do think these surveys have a real benefit, surely they can be done online without super excited volunteers trying to coerce you into doing it. It just gets a little awkward if you're sitting around trying to have a nice time and you keep getting pressured into filling one in.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 18:08:09 +0000

It’ll be nice to be able to go out without feeling like a test specimen. Sometimes it feels that being gay means having to constantly fill out forms with every intimate detail of your life and defend your lifestyle from do-gooders with clipboards.

By: JAY

JAY — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 13:59:40 +0000

@Perkin Warbeck

That fell about 30 yards short of making any sense whatsoever, and was frankly quite insulting.

I don’t feel any sense of ownership toward it, I’m not actually a fan of the renovation myself, I’m more interested in how people are up in arms over the Wickham’s own decision to not allow “men-only” surveys to be held there. They’re a business which is not community-owned, and all types of people have supported it over the years to “allow” the Wickham to renovate.

Remember, the community is about being inclusive of all? I don’t get why so many bitch about the place accepting straight patrons as well. Quite fucking hypocritical.

By: Perkin Warbeck

Perkin Warbeck — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 11:20:03 +0000

Oh dear me, precious little queers like Jay and Marc don’t want their newly upmarketed pseudo-queer boutique hotel used by the community that allowed the Wickham to spend, spend, spend on their renovations. Talk about “entitlement”! “I’m entitled to go to “my” venue without being disturbed by anyone I don’t want there disturbing me based on what I say is right and wrong”

By: JAY

JAY — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 10:56:12 +0000

“…and everybody loses their minds! ”

I don’t see what obligation the Wickham has to the community, they are first and foremost a business. They can target whichever demographic they desire and the gays do not own it.
If they change their recipe after years, the public will just have to deal with it. Unfortunately it seems all I’m hearing are claims of victimisation and self-entitlement.

By: MARC

MARC — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 09:18:51 +0000

Good! That’s the last thing I want when I’m trying to enjoy a meal or a drink and conversation with my friends. People who are paying money to relax and unwind shouldn’t have someone trying to shove a survey in their face! Do the surveys online – voluntarily.

By: Bruce from Banyo

Bruce from Banyo — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 08:46:43 +0000

This is appalling.
I wonder if it’s a media stunt though to get attention. Isn’t ‘Wickham spokesperson Patrick Macdonald’ the same Patrick Macdonald who is on the board of directors of the Queensland AIDS Council? How could he be represent the AIDS Council and still stand by this sort of garbage unless it was a ploy to get media attention?

By: Kelly

Kelly — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 07:02:44 +0000

Are the new rainbow lights (which are not in the correct rainbow sequencing) on the Wickham Hotel, just a pseudo attempt to demonstrate inclusion of queer folk???

The removal of the rainbow flag too is a worrying sign.
I also found they had stopped stocking the free gay papers when I tried to collect on there.
Now this!!!

Sorry Wickham – you have to try MUCH HARDER to get my business! (but then maybe that is exactly what they want …. to get rid of all the queers!)