In a previous job, I worked in HIV prevention and saw first-hand the negative effects that discrimination had on people living with HIV. Witnessing the stigma they faced was both eye-opening and painful.

Over the years, we've seen improvements in the fight against HIV-related stigma, and this week brings an exciting development. Same-sex couples with non-transmissible HIV will now be able to donate eggs or sperm. This represents a significant step forward in the journey towards equality and inclusion; and will make a big difference to the lives and choices of LGBTQIA+ people living with HIV who want to start a family.

-Oliver, Director of Marketing & Creative

QUICK FIRE NEWS 🧨

🧑⚖️ Denmark relaxes abortion law

🎤 Non-binary artist wins at Eurovision

📱 Bumble apologises for anti-celibacy ad

🍿 Diversity wins at the BAFTAs

👭 EU law to tackle violence against women

🙄 Minister for common sense bans rainbow lanyards

LET'S GET INTO IT 🤓

Musicians are struggling to survive financially

Is musician becoming a job only for the wealthy?

In a Guardian report... they examined the budgets of 12 bands and artists headlining tours, from up-and-comers to firmly established. Almost all made financial losses, and just one made a small profit.

Perception versus reality There is a misconception that the artists you love, people we consider have "made it", that perform regularly to packed smaller venues are raking in the money - but this is not the case. All the tour costs - travel, crew, accommodation, etc. - have risen while fees stagnate, and it's pricing musicians out of the live music game. The reality is that many of these artists will be on universal credit, sofa-surfing, and struggling to buy groceries while signed to a major label.

“It depresses me how many middle and upper class people there are in the music industry,” says one manager. “Because the working class just can’t afford to fork out £150 a day for van hire."

Grammy-winning Arooj Aftab says she's running tens of thousands in debt from her tour and being told that it’s ‘normal’.

Sex education ban in schools

What's changing? New government guidance will reportedly state that children under the age of 13 should not be taught anything about contraception, STIs or abortion. A government source has said there are also plans to ban any children being taught about gender identity. New guidance is said to focus on "biological" facts about sex and parents will be given oversight of all materials. All sex education will be banned before age 9, and after this point will focus on conception and birth.

Why? There appeared to be concerns that children were receiving age-inappropriate sex education. Previously, there was broad guidance on what lessons primary and secondary school children should be taught around families and healthy relationships, but it was not split up by year group.

How politically motivated is this? Given the current political climate, there is major concern that this review is not grounded in reality but part of the wider culture wars. The reported ban on discussing gender identity to under 13s is particularly concerning considering the ongoing attack on trans rights. Critics have compared this reported guidance to Section 28 which banned the "promotion" of homosexuality in schools up to 2003.

“It is hard to see how rigid limits on what can be discussed, and when, would be in the best interests of young people – and this may even risk them seeking information from less reliable sources." - Union chief Paul Whiteman

Unemployment is rising, but wage growth persists

The UK unemployment rate has risen to its highest for almost a year. At the same time, the number of vacancies has decreased meaning that more people are competing for the same jobs. Those in employment, however, are still benefiting from wage growth, despite layoffs and pay freezes being common.

So what's going on? Labour's acting shadow work and pensions secretary connects unemployment rates with the NHS waiting times, contributing to a record number of workers with long-term illnesses. The recession has also had an impact on the demand for workers, along with pandemic impacts and childcare reform.

And if you're looking for a job? Keep at it, you'll get there! But make sure you're protecting your mental health in the process:

🤯 Avoid overwhelm by treating your job-search like a job. Allocate specific time to look for jobs and take regular breaks.

✍️ Ask for feedback to help you grow and improve.

❌ Try not to take rejections personally. We know it can feel that way, but it's a part of the process that everyone goes through at some point.

💗 Show self-compassion, as it's tough out there at the moment.

THIS WEEK WE'RE WATCHING/LISTENING TO 👀

🗯️ Interview with a whistleblower from an abusive Amish settlement

🎧 Interrogation of the notion "Rapid onset gender Dysphoria"

📺 New Netflix series on rebellion in British-ruled India