NEWS Events at OUT 18 August, 2010 PRETORIA — Every month OUT hosts a series of events for various interest groups in the LGBT community at its friendly Prism Lifestyle Centre in Pretoria, and at other locations in Gauteng. Next month however OUT celebrates it's 15th anniversary and are putting on two very special events to mark the occasion. Check out the details below and "come out" to see us! OUT Know Your Status Day Do you know your status? Come to OUT's Prism Lifestyle Centre in Hatfield, Pretoria between 10am and 7pm for free HIV testing on Tuesday 31 August. Tuesday 31 August 10am - 7pm Venue: OUT Prism Lifestyle centre, 1081 Pretorius Street, Hatfield, Pretoria Contact: 012 430 3272 OUT's 15th anniversary Gala Dinner OUT is hosting a Gala Benefit Dinner celebrating 15 years of servicing Gauteng's Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, with guest of honour South Africa's Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe. Hosted by Bongani Nxumalo from 94.7, the event takes place on Friday 17 September from 7pm at the Theatre on the Track in Kyalami. This black-tie benefit dinner will see guests entertained by Motown-inspired Tokyo Groove, best known for their 2009 hit "Get Down Saturday Night". The evening will also see three lucky guests winning a weekend away for two worth between R4,000 and R5,000, courtesy of Alternative Travel. It's both a special night out to commemorate the successes of OUT and an opportunity to contribute towards this much-needed and respected NGO's continued work in providing vital health and well-being services to its constituency. The cost per person, for the three course meal, is R400 while a table seating 10 can be booked at a reduced per-head total cost of R3,500. Vegetarian and kosher meals can be organised on request. To book for this glamorous and very exclusive event contact Lizette Stassen at stassenl@out.org.za or on 072 444 9088. Date: Friday 17 September at 7pm Venue: Theatre on the Track, Kyalami Guest of honour: Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe MC: Bongani Nxumalo from 94.7 Entertainment: Tokyo Groove Cost: R400 per-head / R3,500 per-table Dress: Black Tie / Formal OUT will Rock you An all star line-up of local talent to perform at the OUT Benefit Concert Whatever your rainbow flag colour, come to the OUT Benefit Concert on Saturday 18 September at Harlequins Rugby Club in Pretoria for a day of rocking music! Led by Master of Ceremonies Zane Derbyshire from 94.7, a diverse group of performers – including Prime Circle, HHP, Reburn, Voodoo Child, Wonderboom, Jacques Terreblanche, Evolver and Kinky Robot – will take to the stage to thrill music-lovers and party animals. The concert is not only a fantastic day of entertainment and a celebration of OUT's 15th anniversary of servicing the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, but is also an opportunity to contribute towards this NGO's work in providing vital health and well-being services. "All proceeds go towards helping OUT improve and expand its services to LGBT communities in Gauteng", says Lizette Stassen from OUT. "It's also just a fantastic and vibrant day outdoors enjoying the best of South African talent," she adds. Gates open at 10am and the concert runs through until 6pm. A cash bar and plenty of food stalls will make sure that concert-goers will have their thirst quenched and hunger sated. An Exclusive VIP Area with a cash bar and bathrooms will offer concert-goers the opportunity to skip the queues and to mingle with the artists. Tickets are only R80 or R150 (VIP) for the full day and can be booked at www.computicket.com, via the Computicket call centre on 083 915 8000 or from Computicket outlets nationwide. Date: Saturday 18 September Time: From 10am till 6pm Venue: Harlequins Rugby Club, Pretoria Cost: R80 per person (R60 at the door on the day on presentation of valid student card) – Issued by OUT OUT the Pretoria-based health and well-being NGO focusing on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community was formed in 1994 as a loose network of individuals who wanted to make a difference, OUT has become a highly respected professional services organisation and a model for many other community groups. Now with 12 permanent staff members at its Prism Lifestyle Centre and Clinic, OUT offers its clients – who are often neglected or rejected by mainstream service providers – numerous vital services. These include HIV counselling and testing, STI testing, CD4 and Viral load monitoring and testing, general physical examinations, Pap Smears for lesbian women, the provision of Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for risky sexual encounters, Wellness Adherence, treatment literacy, referral, and follow-up. There is telephonic counselling (Helpline: 0860 OUT OUT/ 0860 688 688), which is available daily between 9am and 10pm, as well as various monthly support and activity groups. The organisation also makes its way directly into the LGBT community by offering a number of its services, such as HIV testing, at events and nightclubs. OUT'S online resources – www.men2men.co.za and www.womyn2womyn.co.za – provide easy access to information on sex, sexuality, sexual health and general well-being. Highlights over the past 15 years include: OUT's groundbreaking research assessing the needs of LGBT people – the first such research ever undertaken in South Africa; its key submissions towards the historic legalisation of same-sex marriage; the opening of its Clinic and Prism Lifestyle Centre in Hatfield, Pretoria; and the opening of a branch in the North West Province. This year will also see the organisation launching an office in Johannesburg offering various services. For more information visit www.out.org.za.