Possible U-turn as UK reconsiders cancelling rollout of PrEP
Following an outcry and threatened legal action, England’s NHS has announced that it will relook at its cancelled roll-out of PrEP to men who have sex with men (MSM). In March, the NHS shocked HIV groups by pulling the plug on its advanced decision-making process on whether to make PrEP available. Its claim that it […]
Move to address HIV among transgender people welcomed
New guidelines have been published to help address HIV among transgender people, a community that’s disproportionately affected by the epidemic. An analysis of HIV among transgender people across 15 countries, undertaken in 2013, indicated that a transgender woman in those countries was 49 times more likely to be living with HIV than the general, non-transgender […]
Yes, Zika can be transmitted through gay sex
America’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed a case of a man who likely contracted the Zika virus through sex with another man. It appears that the Dallas man caught the virus after having unprotected anal sex with his partner, who had recently returned from a trip to Venezuela. Other cases of […]
Health: Scientists say circumcision does not reduce penis sensitivity
Circumcised? Good news: you’re not losing out in the pleasure department after all. It’s been widely believed that men who are circumcised experience some degree of loss of sensitivity in the penis, but new research suggests this is not the case. Jenn Bossio, a clinical psychology PhD candidate at Queen’s University, studied 62 men between […]
Health: Have you loved your nuts today?
April is testicular cancer awareness month. Why should you care? Because it’s the most common cancer in men under the age of 45; most often affecting those between the ages of 15 and 38. Despite being highly treatable if caught early, most men don’t know how to check their balls for this potentially deadly disease […]
World Psychiatric Association: Homosexuality can’t be “cured”
The World Psychiatric Association (WPA) has unequivocally stated that trying to “cure” LGBT people doesn’t work and is both dangerous and unethical. The organisation has issued a new position statement on gender identity and same-sex orientation, attraction, and behaviours in an effort to provide clarity on these issues. The WPA said that it “considers sexual […]
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 […]