Looks like PrEP is going to continue to be a major component of gay culture, judging by a new campaign called “HIV BEATS.” A variety of YouTubers have teamed up to produce some lively videos about avoiding HIV and taking Truvada.
The campaign is the work of various organizations, from #endHIV to Greater Than AIDS to YouTube itself. Gilead, which owns Truvada, paid for production, though they say there was no input into the content of the videos.
And, hey, the videos are actually pretty fun.
There’s “15 Ways You Cannot Get HIV” with Todrick Hall…
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Bob the Drag Queen chimes in with a song about taking PrEP…
Davey Wavey’s there, too, naturally, highlighting his commitment to health and the ongoing transition from twink to dad…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMg7uz0NDg0
Zachary Drucker she has some comments about condoms and pharmaceuticals and whatnot…
And then there’s Catrific, who would like to inform you about antiretrovirals and HIV tests…
It’s all fairly fun and delightful and upbeat–a handy reminder that we can all chip in to put an end to AIDS. The videos do not mention that condoms and PrEP can’t protect you against herpes or pubic lice or e. coli and other STIs, but good luck getting a grant for YouTube celebrities to sing about that.
Lookyloo
From the end of the article:
“The videos do not mention that condoms and PrEP can’t protect you against herpes or pubic lice or e. coli and other STIs”
Huh? Condoms CAN’T protect against herpes or other STI’s..?
Is this what you meant to say in that sentence(?).. because that’s what you’re saying.
I mean, I know I’m an old (by gay stats) but has my elderly mind totally missed something here because condoms are known as pretty great (not perfect by pretty great) protection against herpes and other stis – not to mention have saved countless friggen lives by hindering the spread of HIV.
What am I missing?
Dave Downunder
@Lookyloo: Sorry mate but you are mistaken. Condoms cannot completely prevent the spread of STD’s other than HIV because contact with infected areas that are not covered by a condom can still cause infection. If you google condom effectiveness you should find articles that will explain it all better than I can. Cheers.
Lookyloo
@Dave Downunder:
Thanks for the followup, Dave D.
But I’m still iffy about the wording the article used. Because, while condoms don’t protect areas they can’t cover – like the mouth or pubic hair area – condoms CAN protect against genital herpes (and other stis). They might not be totally-and-always effective, but they CAN BE protective – whereas the wording of the article says they “CAN’T” – as in, they never are (like PReP).
Perhaps I’m being picky or pedantic about the wording.
PRINCE OF SNARKNESS aka DIVKID
Wow did you delete my comment about sending humanitarian aid to Davey Wavey’s eyebrows ?!?
PRINCE OF SNARKNESS aka DIVKID
@PRINCE OF SNARKNESS aka DIVKID: profound apologies..wrong thread. My comments (unlike his follicles) are still there
TrueWords
http://66.media.tumblr.com/7ee89b247415f9750582e2543a25c931/tumblr_inline_o0e3hiZ2e01t2i2s2_500.png
TrueWords
https://media.giphy.com/media/p71DYnGTsHV2o/giphy.gif
Stache
@TrueWords: No one is going to take both PreP and condoms and regular testing unless you’re ultra paranoid and you can’t think of sex without taking every precaution under the sun. I’m sure 1 or 2 people do it but that’s just not reality.