Shock as UK government stops rollout of PrEP at last minute
HIV groups have responded with shock at the UK government’s surprise decision to suspend the approval and rollout of PrEP to men who have sex with men (MSM). NHS (National Health Service) England announced on Monday that despite advanced plans to provide the medication, an additional two year study will instead be undertaken at test […]
Government urged to extend sex workers PrEP plan to MSM
The launch of the South African government’s National Sex Worker HIV Plan has been welcomed, with a call to extend the measures to men who have sex with men (MSM). Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled the plan on Friday in Johannesburg. “It is about affirming the rights of all South Africans to life, dignity and health, regardless […]
An open letter to Thabo Mbeki on his Aids denialism
Sanele Sano Ngcobo is a University of Pretoria junior lecturer. He is an executive member of the International Academy of Physician Assistants and the Secretary General of Professional Association of Clinical Associates in South Africa. Dear Honourable Thabo Mbeki, In response to your latest letter, I would like to challenge you to admit that you […]
Here are the South African gay ads they don’t want you to see
The WeTheBrave campaign targeting gay men and other men who have sex with men is facing stiff opposition to the airing and publishing of its risqué HIV awareness ads. The sometimes racy video and print ads were designed with the aim of “addressing HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in a way that is honest and direct, yet […]
Study: More than 60% of newly diagnosed HIV+ men used dating apps
A study has found a strong correlation between new HIV diagnoses among men who have sex with men (MSM) and their use of online hook-up sites and apps. Researchers from Brown University, The Miriam Hospital, and the Rhode Island Department of Health found that more than 60 percent of MSM diagnosed with HIV in the […]
Despite first reported infection, PrEP remains “hugely effective”
Don’t panic, say HIV experts, after the first case of a man becoming infected with HIV while on PrEP for two years was reported on Thursday The 43-year-old Toronto gay man appeared to only recently have been infected after having unprotected sex with multiple partners, despite claiming to use the anti-HIV drug daily as prescribed. […]
Half of black gay and bi men in US face HIV infection
Despite advances in prevention options and treatment, the LGBT community in the US still continues to face alarming rates of HIV infection. In a new report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that while the risk of infection in general had decreased in the US, gay and bisexual men remain disproportionately affected by […]
30 HIV positive gay men charged with having condomless sex
In an outrageous development, officials in the Czech Republic are planning to prosecute 30 gay men living with HIV for having sex without a condom. In 2005, the country’s Supreme Court ruled that citizens can face criminal charges for spreading an infectious disease such as HIV by not using a condom during sex. According to […]
Huge MSM sexual health campaign launched in Cape Town
WeTheBrave, the largest sexual health campaign targeting gay men and MSM (men who have sex with men) in South Africa, was launched in Cape Town on the eve of the city’s Pride festival. On Thursday, the campaign’s arrival in the Western Cape was celebrated at a function at the Ritz Hotel in Seapoint. It was previously […]
‘Born This Way’ argument not helping to reduce homophobia
In recent years, the argument that sexual orientation is innate or that we are “born this way” has become a principal component of the advocacy for the rights of sexual minorities. Activist have argued that if science shows (as it increasingly appears to do) that one’s sexual orientation is inborn this will help silence those […]