the Island to head weekend seminars for counsellors.

Polly Weiss, co-ordinator of curriculum and training development at New York City's Gay Men's Health Crisis Inc. (GMHC), is a guest of the Allan Vincent Smith Foundation -- a local charity dedicated to providing support to those infected or affected by HIV and AIDS.

GMHC began 15 years ago out of need to respond to an epidemic of HIV/AIDS cases in New York City.

Today, the centre offers research facilities, testing, counselling, meal services, medical referrals, a helpline, Buddy programmes, nutrition information as well as therapeutic and human resources assistance.

This weekend's seminars are open only to AVSF volunteer in-house counsellors and will take place today and tomorrow at the Bermuda Red Cross headquarters in Paget.

During her visit, Ms Weiss will also review the curriculum of AVSF's in-house training and peer education programmes.

"HIV and AIDS are a concern all around the world,'' Ms Weiss told The Royal Gazette yesterday. "And Bermuda is not immune.'' "HIV and AIDS are not only a gay man's disease,'' she added. "All of us need to be careful and made aware so that we don't become infected with HIV -- the virus suspected of causing full-blown AIDS.

"There is a lot of discrimination and stigma against people with HIV or AIDS and because Bermuda doesn't yet have a confidentiality law, people with these diseases are afraid to speak out, but they have human rights as well.'' Ms Weiss also encouraged locals infected or affected with HIV/AIDS to take full advantage of the Allan Vincent Smith Foundation and its private hotline.

"Go there to ask them any questions,'' she said. "The hotline number is 295-0002.'' "It is important for people to be aware,'' Ms Weiss stressed. "You can still feel fine and have HIV. It is an epidemic of ignorance, but making people more aware can help.'' AVSF president Joe Gibbons considered Ms Weiss' visit as an "excellent opportunity to develop closer links'' with GMHC.

"We hope to continue this new and exciting relationship well into the future,'' Mr. Gibbons said. "We can draw on their expertise to help better utilise our resources and achieve our objectives.

"Only by working with people like Ms Weiss and GMHC can we better understand our weaknesses and strengths and refine our techniques so that Bermudians can understand the importance of our message and most importantly act on that knowledge.'' COUNSELLOR -- HIV/AIDS activist Polly Weiss of New York City's Gay Men's Health Crisis Inc. is visiting the Island to speak with in-house counselling volunteers.

AIDS AID