GLAS celebrates World AIDS Day this Saturday with free testing and open day at the Rainbow Hub

This Saturday we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the World AIDS Day under the motto “Know Your Status”. The GLAS Foundation is planning a series of activities, starting today with an online campaign to stimulate HIV testing, targeted entirely at the gay community, which is among the groups most at risk of infection.

The provocative campaign promotes self-testing with a free oral test. For several months, oral HIV tests have been available for free at the first community LGBTI Center in Sofia – Rainbow Hub – during its reception hours every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm. On December 1st, the Center will be open all day long, and everyone who wants to do it will be able to take a free test or take the test home or for a friend.

Unlike the classical blood tests, this type of tests use an oral swab and saliva. The principle of testing is the same as in the case of blood tests – antibodies to the virus are detected. Each self-test kit contains a pad test and a container with buffer as well as instructions for use. This form of testing is relatively new, but it has gained rapid popularity in Bulgaria after two organizations (Checkpoint Sofia and Single Step) launched campaigns for free trials, sent by mail.

In addition to free trials that can be taken throughout the day on December 1, Rainbow Hub will also host a series of events and an open day from 10 am to 9 pm. The program also includes a special edition of the Big Gay Film Club, with the documentary “How to Survive a Plague”, which follows the early years of the AIDS epidemic. The screening will be at 19 h. A limited edition of condoms, branded by HUGE.bg, will be available to everyone for free.

Outside of the Community Center, the GLAS Foundation also plans to put red ribbons – a symbol of the World AIDS Day – on key locations in the city. For the first time the National Palace of Culture will turn red this Saturday as a sign of support.

The events are supported by the Public Board of Telus International, the pharmaceutical company GSK and our partners from Checkpoint Sofia.