Beaufort 565 has been a fixture in Perth’s scene for over 30 years, providing a place for men to meet others for sex, socialising and friendship. The WA AIDS Council (WAAC) has had a long and productive association with the 565 sauna by offering outreach and HIV/STI testing to sauna patrons. We have provided testing to hundreds of guys throughout the years and we would like to thank 565 owners and management for supporting this innovative clinic.

My main concern with 565 clinic closing is that those patrons who go there may be at a loss in regard to where to go from here. If we look at a few of the things 565 provided, we can recognise the importance it had on people’s lives. It was a place to go for sex, to socialise, to feel at ease around other guys who had sex with guys, to remain anonymous if desired… and a place to access anonymous sexual health tests on a regular basis.

If any patrons of the 565 sauna have questions about where to go to fill the void left by 565, I encourage them to get in touch with the Project X Team at WAAC. I am also very keen to hear from 565 patrons about any services they feel they may require in regard to socialising and sexual health, now that 565 has closed.

Please keep in mind that anonymous HIV/STI testing is still available at Perth Steamworks clinic. We are very keen to increase the services at Steamworks to a weekly clinic each Monday night from 3-5pm and 7-9pm. During this period of transition, you can be sure we will definitely be there every second Monday, and it’s highly likely that in the near future, we will be there every week.

For those of you who don’t mind using your Medicare card, there is a free, confidential and friendly HIV/STI testing service at the WA AIDS Council office Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm by appointment. You are also welcome to contact the AIDS Council for a list of sexuality sensitive GPs and sexual health clinics.

For more information on HIV/STI testing, to talk about the closure of 565, or to offer recommendations for services required for ex 565 patrons, please contact Ben Bradstreet (bbradstreet@waaids.com) on 9482 0000.