DIY test for HIV comes to a pharmacy near you
It’s as simple and easy as a home pregnancy test, and should be treated similarly, argues Health-e News writer Amy Green who went through the process of self-testing for HIV. For R59.95 South Africans can now purchase an HIV testing kit from a local pharmacy and screen themselves for infection in the privacy of their […]
Clinicians trained to deliver HIV services to African gay and bisexual men
A training initiative for clinicians and community workers who deliver life-saving HIV services to communities facing hostility and prejudice, was launched last week. The Afya Academy is a partnership between the International HIV/AIDS Alliance (Alliance) and Anova Health Institute (Anova). It trains clinicians and community activists who work with sex workers, gay men and other […]
Who knew! Scientists say trimming your bush has its dangers
Scientists have found that pubic hair grooming is linked to a heightened risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection (STI). The association seems to be strongest among those who groom their pubic hair frequently and intensively; a practice dubbed ‘extreme grooming’ by researchers from the University of California. Pubic hair removal is becoming increasingly common […]
Is your GP “unfreakoutable”? Introducing Yellow Dot Doctors
I’m ashamed to admit that as a proudly out man, there’s still one very important person in my life who doesn’t know I’m gay: My GP. After six years, the topic has just never come up. I haven’t come out and he’s never asked. Thankfully, I don’t think it’s made a difference in my healthcare […]
Health minister fights homophobic backlash to gay safe-sex posters
The French Health Ministry will take legal action after at least 10 mayors banned a series of posters promoting safe sex amongst gay and bisexual men. The four posters in the new campaign show fully clothed male couples, some interracial, in an embrace, along with responsible-sex messaging. They were put up by the ministry in […]
Same-sex couples more likely to have a fulfilling sex life
New research suggests that same-sex couples are more likely use strategies that allow their sex lives to remain fresh. According to the study, the secret to a happy sex life in long-term relationships is the belief that it takes hard work and effort, instead of expecting sexual satisfaction to simply happen if you are true […]
“Straight acting” guys tend to believe feminine men give community a bad name
The struggle to embrace our diversity and deal with internalised homophobia is a reality within the gay community, especially for those who don’t conform to traditional male and female binaries. According to a new study, men who consider themselves “straight acting” are 37% more likely to agree with the statement: “Feminine gay men give gay […]
New campaign aims to get South African MSM testing
Health4Men has launched a new campaign that aims to drastically increase HIV testing amongst gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in South Africa. As part of ‘We’re Braver Together’, MSM will be encouraged to overcome their primal fears and in doing so find the courage to get tested for HIV […]
South Africa implements “test and treat” HIV strategy
As from the 1st of September, all South Africans who are HIV positive will be able to receive immediate treatment. The new universal “test and treat” approach to HIV/AIDS is in line with the World Health Organisation’s guidelines to tackle the Aids epidemic. Previously, people who are HIV positive were only given treatment when their […]
WeTheBrave warns of life threatening language barrier
Did you know that there’s no word for gay in Xhosa? Any word to describe a gay person is either derogatory or borrowed from other South African languages. Words used to describe gay men include isitabane, which is interpreted as a man who has chosen to act like a woman. There’s also abantu abathambileyo, meaning not […]