Breakthrough as WHO affirms being transgender not a mental disorder
South African activists have welcomed the groundbreaking decision by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to stop classifying gender incongruence as a mental disorder. The change was announced as part of the launch of the WHO’s new International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) this week, the global guide’s first revision in 18 […]
Gay relationships | My pleasure, as a bottom, matters
“I am here, and my pleasure matters.” Motlatsi Motseoile explores the intricacies of sex in gay relationships, and how being a bottom is often mired in shame and ridicule. We live in a hyper-masculine and patriarchal society, often framed by the cisgender-heterosexual man. Anything that is thought to emulate the behaviour of women, even in […]
Major changes at Health4Men after funding is cut
Health4Men, the groundbreaking sexual health programme that targets gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in South Africa, has been hit by a huge funding cut. In a statement on Monday, the Anova Health Institute, the organisation behind the programme, said that Health4Men’s funding from USAID will be coming to an […]
Online dating | Trolls on the Grind
If you’ve surfed the ‘interwebs’ for more than five minutes you’ve encountered the disturbing phenomenon that is the internet troll. Vindictive people that cannot resist posting things they know will hurt or distress others. Almost any popular YouTube video with an activated comments section will also provide you with a selection of unnecessarily mean commentary. […]
That little blue pill – A PrEP FAQ
Have you heard about PrEP, the amazing new daily pill that prevents HIV? So, is it for you? Here are some commonly asked questions about PrEP, how it works and how to get it. Okay, so what is PrEP actually? PrEP is just a single pill that you take daily (every day) if you are […]
Health | Penis Size – The Truth
Gay, bi or straight, guys the world over are often (and probably always have been) obsessed about the size of their manhood. Bruce J. Little looks at getting some perspective on this sometimes big (ahem) issue. Guys, we need to talk about these stickers all over town advertising miracle cures to make your penis bigger. […]
IDAHOTB 2018 | Putting the B back into LGBTQ
As the world commemorates the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB) this week, Pretoria LGBTQ group OUT is highlighting the scourge of biphobia, which it says is often overlooked on this important day. IDAHOTB has been observed annually since 2005 every 17 May and is an opportunity to bring awareness to the prejudice […]
Opinion: Humping When A Hug Would Do
Are you having sex when all you need is to be touched? asks Bruce J. Little. We all need to be touched. It’s well-documented that babies who were not touched and held after birth stopped developing and often died, even if they received all the nutrition they needed. We may not be babies anymore, but […]
SA psychologists adopt landmark LGBTQ affirming practice guidelines
The Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) has published the country’s first guidelines to help psychologists work with sexually and gender diverse people. The organisation launched the landmark 84-page booklet, an LGBTQ best practice manual for mental health professionals, at a function in Johannesburg on Thursday. The PsySSA is the professional body representing psychology professionals […]
Grindr launches HIV testing reminder
Dating apps have often been accused of facilitating risky sex, but Grindr has just launched a function to remind users to get tested for HIV. Grindr users are now able to opt-in to discreetly receive automatic reminders to get tested for HIV every three to six months. The suggested time frames are based on recommendations by […]