From HIV to Chemsex: What Can Queers Teach Us About Morality?

On June 7th, the UCD IRIS Centre for Interdisciplinary Research Education and Innovation in Health Systems hosted a compelling event titled "From HIV to Chemsex: What Can Queers Teach Us About Morality?" Dr Maurice Nagington from the University of Manchester delivered a stimulating and thought-provoking lecture to an engaged audience composed of students and faculty from across University College Dublin (UCD), as well as attendees from various other institutions, healthcare professionals, and representatives from community organisations.

The event began with opening remarks from Dr John Gilmore, Head of Adult General Nursing at UCD, who highlighted the significance of this being the fifth event hosted by IRIS on sexual and gender minority health within the past three years. Dr Gilmore expressed gratitude towards the IRIS Centre team for their unwavering support in promoting equity and justice for LGBTQI+ communities.

Dr Nagington shared insights garnered from a decade of research on the sexual health and experiences of HIV among gay and bisexual men, culminating in his upcoming book on the moral implications of chemsex. His lecture challenged traditional perspectives within the nursing profession, urging practitioners to adopt an approach of thinking 'with' rather than against minoritised groups. He emphasised that the nursing field can learn valuable lessons from queer subcultures, particularly regarding care, resilience, and the ability to push boundaries.

The event underscored the importance of integrating diverse perspectives into healthcare practices and highlighted the ongoing efforts of the UCD IRIS Centre in fostering dialogue and understanding around LGBTQI+ health issues.