The most thrilling moments at the biannual international AIDS conference often take place outside the conference hall and out in the streets.
This year is no exception. In Amsterdam, activists streamed through the streets to loudly — and colorfully — advocate for an array of issues that in large part came from communities of people living with HIV themselves.
“U=U,” a new and rousing rallying cry for people with HIV that delivers the message that people who are on treatment and undetectable are not capable of transmitting the virus to their sexual partners, was front and center throughout much of the march as it wound its way through the narrow streets and canals of Amsterdam.
Contingents of gay men, women, sex workers, and regional groups from around the globe all appeared united in teaching the world the new science of what it means to be undetectable and their passion for the message suggested they are ready to settle the matter once and for all. Science has proven the message, with governmental agencies and health officials signing on, but social stigma against people living with HIV and a fear of infection have made it difficult for the message to break through.
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.
These activists are more than capable of speaking for themselves, and in Mark S. King’s new video report from AIDS2018, they do just that.
Coming soon: A sexy trio of interviews that includes an Amsterdam sex club tour, a gay sex worker speaking out about his PrEP advocacy, and a young gay man into fetish play shares how his sexual creativity is his best prevention technique.
Oh, and a surprise interview with a superstar.
theszak
The Strategy. BEFORE sex test TOGETHER for A VARIETY OF STIs Sexually Transmitted Infections including HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus then make an INFORMED decision, google… tested together before sex
DonW
@theszak How many people do you know who are already committed and monogamous with a single partner before they are even intimate? This would mean waiting several weeks before sex to be sure tests are accurate. That is simply not a realistic strategy for most people.
Every sexually active person, single or in a relationship, should get tested regularly, and use other means of protection. But the idea that you’re going to control HIV or STI epidemics by telling everyone to be monogamous and test before ever having sex is simply ridiculous.
StraightnNarrow
Just a bunch of lies that are intended to manipulate HIV neg guys to have unsafe sex with poz men. Really? How can you trust someone when he tells you that he is undetectable? How is that possible? What about getting infected with nasty STDs? HIV poz men tend to have more STD infections.
Doug
You’re either joking or you’re trolling, right?
StraightnNarrow
Every time someone states a truth that’s contrary to your distorted belief, the only thing you tell yourself is that they are trolling. How flawed your thought process is and how little self-awareness you have displayed.
Scorpjr
You are correct in believing that someone could choose to lie about their undetectable status. You are also correct to believe that having condomless sex with strangers(the nasty STDs don’t actually care about the sexual orientations of their hosts) puts one at a higher risk of contracting an STD. And then, everything else is just SO wrong!
RobtheElder
I would have no problem waiting for a confirmed HIV negative test to be finalized before entering a monogamous gay relationship. It isn’t as though there’s no other safe option that will permit sex during the waiting period, we’ve had near perfect protection from condoms for years. When it comes to HIV exposure, with it still being a lifelong trial, my actions would involve being as close to absolute certainty as an individual can be. Then, all you have to worry about is whether your monogamous partner is truly monogamous… RobtheElder
JohnF
You’re conflating 2 different issues. 1) U=U is not a bunch of lies. It is a proven scientific fact. 2) Stating you’re “Undetectable” is no more “intended to manipulate HIV neg guys to have unsafe sex” as you telling someone you’re Negative. Telling someone “I’m Undetectable” or you stating “I’m Negative” are no different. So don’t demean the significance of U=U