MSM community project leaves a legacy of love
When it started, volunteers named it “Boithato,” or “love” in Sesotho. Almost five years later, one of Mpumalanga’s few projects aimed at preventing HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) has shuttered its doors but for many men, it may have left a legacy of love. Launched in 2011 by the Johannesburg-based Anova […]
Gauteng Health MEC opens LGBTI clinic in Tshwane
Gauteng’s MEC for Health, Qedani Mahlangu, has opened a groundbreaking new clinic in Tshwane, catering to the needs of groups at high risk of HIV infection. On Thursday 3 September, MEC Mahlangu cut the ribbon to officially inaugurate the TEN81 Centre, located at the offices of OUT LGBT Well-being in Hatfield. She was accompanied by […]
“Gaydar” doesn’t exist, say scientists, it’s dangerous stereotyping
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have challenged “the gaydar myth” – the purported ability to infer whether people are gay or straight based on their appearance. The latest research follows a 2008 study that concluded people could accurately guess someone’s sexual orientation based on photographs of their faces. William Cox, an assistant scientist in […]
Almost a third of SA’s MSM haven’t tested for HIV in a year
Despite South Africa being a country where one in 10 people are living with HIV, stereotypes around the disease still exist. As a result, HIV is being spread due to this being a deterrent to testing. According to Glenn de Swardt of the Anova Health Institute, “Most HIV infections occur from someone who doesn’t know […]
Large PrEP study finds no HIV infections
There’s more good news on the HIV prevention front. A major new study of the use of PrEP has found no new HIV infections among participants after more than two years. PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is the use of a daily antiviral tablet by an HIV negative person to avoid becoming infected with the virus. When […]
Women more likely to identify as bisexual than men
In the wake of the recent trend of female celebrities, like Miley Cyrus, coming out as “sexually-fluid”, a new study suggests that women tend to be more open to bisexuality compared to men. Study author Elizabeth Aura McClintock, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Notre Dame, found that women are more likely […]
Study: bisexuals have poorer health, lesbians do best
Bisexual males and females report poorer health than gays, lesbians and heterosexuals, according to a new study from sociologists at Rice University. The study examined the self-rated health of 10,128 sexual minorities (gay, lesbian and bisexual adults) and 405,145 heterosexual adults in the US to see how it differed across sexual orientation. It found that […]
Huge Elton John funded gay sexual health campaign launched in Joburg
WeTheBrave, the largest ever sexual health campaign targeting gay men and MSM in South Africa, was launched at a glamorous event on Thursday night in downtown Johannesburg. The ceremony was attended by a who’s who of Gauteng’s gay community, and featured performances by Cape Town’s Odidi Mfenyana and a special message from Elton John. “Are you after a […]
Teens invent condoms that change colour because of STIs
Three British schoolchildren have come up with a remarkable invention: condoms that change colour when they come into contact with sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The boys from the Isaac Newton Academy in Illford – 14-year-old Daanyaal Ali, 13-year-old Muaz Nawaz and 14-year-old Chirag Shah – presented their concept at the 2015 TeenTech Awards. Called S.T.EYE, the condoms include […]
OUT launches free key populations clinic in Pretoria
In a groundbreaking move, OUT LGBT Well-being, in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Health, is launching South Africa’s very first government-funded HIV and TB health clinic specifically for key population groups. Located in Hatfield, Tshwane, the centre will provide free HIV, TB, sexual health and other services uniquely tailored to the needs of the […]