Homobloc to provide on-site sexual health testing at this weekend's event

With its return to Manchester's Depot Mayfield coming this weekend, annual LGBTQ+ event Homobloc has revealed that it will this year be providing on-site sexual health testing.

The tests will be conducted by staff from LGBT Foundation at the venue's welfare area. Clubbers will be able to get a dry blood spot test which will test for HIV, Hepatitis and Syphilis, with the party's hoping to temporarily boost access to sexual health services.

Speaking about the testing in a statement, Rod Connolly from Homobloc said: "We are excited to be working with the incredible teams at the LGBT Foundation and W.E.LSafe who have both helped to make sexual health testing possible at this year's festival.

"Accessing sexual health services can be a challenge for people in towns where provisions are low or poorly funded; conversely, for a busy city like Manchester, making the time to access these services can be a difficult undertaking.

"Regular sexual health screenings are integral to maintaining good sexual health, and it's important as part of our wellbeing commitment that Homobloc is able to bring these essential services direct to the people who need them."

Testing will be run on a drop-in basis on the day, with each test taking 5-10 minutes. After the event, samples will be taken to a laboratory and the person tested will receive the results by phone or text a couple of weeks later.

The testing is part of Homobloc's ongoing commitment to making a wider difference within the LGBTQ+ community of Manchester and beyond outside of the event itself. Last month, the team launched a charity T-shirt collection featuring designs by Honey Dijon and others.

This year's edition of Homobloc will take place on 5th November, and will feature sets from Róisín Murphy, Honey Dijon, I. JORDAN, Shanti Celeste, Midland, Saoirse and more.