With all the respectful articles timed to World AIDS Day now a week behind us, it’s time for some humor to be injected into the solemnity. Of course, there’s no one better qualified than Sherry Vine. The most fearless and raunchy drag queen on the planet has just released “Truvada,” a very topical number about HIV prevention meds sung to tune of “True Colors.” Be aware that you will never hear Cyndi Lauper’s poignant classic in quite the same way again.
“When I got the idea, I started texting Josh (Rosenzweig, creative producer for the clip) and his boyfriend Karl asking, ‘Can we really do this?’ and we all thought why not as long as it is not preachy or condemning anyone for their choices,” Vine told Queerty. “And then upon further discussion we realized we could actually open a dialogue about this very complex topic using our brand of humor.”
Vine said she then wrote the lyrics and recorded the track, while Rosenzweig worked on the concept and storyboarded the outline for the video and Francis Legge directed it.
“Sherry and I have worked together on dozens of projects together over the course of 20-plus years, from plays, to films to TV shows and, of course, music videos,” Rosenzweig added. “Albeit the majority of them fall in the comedy category and they all had some subtle underlying message or idea that reflects what was happening in the world at that time. And this is another one of those projects.”
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Gothrykke
It’s funny, like her usual work. Just…if you want to go bareback, be prepared, honeys. Herpes ain’t cute and the only act that getting the clap after sounds good takes place on stage.
SportGuy
Freaking hilarious! So true on all the std’s the guys on this stuff are contracting because they bb.
ShowMeGuy
I’m waiting for the commercials on television in 2018……”If you have developed eyelid cancer, liver failure, or extreme body hair growth after taking Truvada or if your loved one died from respiratory failure after taking Truvada, you may be entitled to a cash settlement.”
Jesse Cerna
Lol love it 🙂 true though 😀 like i tell people before every was on even if its for a jo you wrap it or no go.now everyone wants to get fisted,whipped,scat,randoms,walk ins etc etc anything and everything goes.but hey! they think that little magical pill fixes it all or at least hiv. ð???
Jack Walter
OMG OMG OMG!
Kieru
The few times where she poked fun a the negative aspects of Truvada were refreshing… but probably too subtle or otherwise drowned out by the message “Truvada lets you bareback!”
That’s the message that bothers me most. If you want to ride raw that is a decision between you and your sexual partner. But it should be an informed decision. Not even Gilead (the pharmaceutical company that markets truvada) recommends using Truvada as a condom-replacement. It is meant to work in conjunction with condoms, providing a second line of defense if the condom breaks or on the occasion where you neglect to use a condom.
There are different strains of HIV and Truvada only protects against HIV-1. There are also drug-resistant variants that Truvada may proof less effective against. And of course there are any number of STIs that Truvada provides no protection against. And of course you need to remember to continue to get tested for HIV even if you are on Truvada. If you were to contract HIV and continue your Truvada regimen you could inadvertently create a Truvada-resistant variant.
moldisdelicious
All of this simply because folks wanna ditch condoms and go raw doggy. Folks really got no will to live huh? The stupidity just amazes me. After the AIDS epidemic,you think folks would be on some paranoia shit but damn these dudes are self destructive on a whole nother level. No sex is worth some damn pill that has 101 side effects to halfway protect you from one virus out of many. Fuck that shit. I’m not that horny. I still have my right hand, porn and lube.
robho3
Disturbing
Stache
@moldisdelicious: Yes. You and your right hand. I can’t imagine any living soul wanting to spend a minute listening to your screeching.
Stache
@Kieru: From what I understand about HIV-2 is that it’s much harder to become infected. Not to mention it’s only an issue with a few African Countries.
So far the studies all say it’s 100% effective in blocking HIV Transmission.
There are other stds that can be treated with antibiotics and vaccines. Plus, you can get them even with condoms. Oral, rimming, kissing pick them up just as easy.
notevenwrong
@Kieru, HIV-1 is the virus that is responsible for the worldwide epidemic and is the virus that gay men in the U.S. need to protect against. It has several subtypes/strains, but Truvada seems to be broadly effective against all HIV-1 strains for PREVENTING infection.
For existing infections, that’s not the case – ALL strains of HIV-1 are resistant to Truvada once infection is established; you need at least a protease inhibitor in addition.
So preventing infection and treating existing infection are two very different problems. A drug may be good for the former (like Truvada) even if it is not effective for the latter.
HIV-2 is mostly encountered in West Africa and isn’t epidemic in the U.S. Truvada may be protective against HIV-2 as well, but this just hasn’t been studied enough.
notevenwrong
I am concerned that the song spreads misinformation that will deter some people from seeking medical help.
Almost nobody will pay $20 a day. PrEP is covered by most insurance plans, Medicaid in many states, and free programs run by cities.
Mentioning organ failure as a side effect of PrEP is a little ridiculous. The only concern in PrEP, that has happened in a very small percentage of cases, is very gradual decline in kidney function that is reversed by stopping the Truvada. Since they test kidney function every 3 months if you are on the drug, this will almost certainly be noticed long before it becomes a problem.
moldisdelicious
@Stache:
Still trying to have the last word aye? Should have done that when we were debating about the el amin vs John snipes talk when you had the chance. Guess you feel I out witted you which is why you’re still trying to argue.
Masturbation is good. Nothing wrong with it. You can’t make me feel ashamed of something that I’m proud to do and admittingly so, loser.
moldisdelicious
@ShowMeGuy:
You know that day is coming. All this craziness for unprotected sex. Like sex is the only thing to live or worth dying over. Sometimes I wonder if these guys feel that the purpose of being homosexual is to have sex to the point you die.
moldisdelicious
Honestly though, think that someone should reevaluate their life for a second if they are willing to put themselves and other people at risk just for some minutes of sex even if it means taking some pills to engage in risky potentially harmful behavior. I know of hiv positive people that are on prep and truvada too that basically are lkke.. “let’s engage in unprotected sex” to people talking about they have a low transmission rate. You don’t hear about that though. I’ve witnessed it and even had some dudes do that shit to me. Hiv positive and on prep talking about bareback me. It’s really not that serious.
Stache
@notevenwrong: Thanks for that. I just don’t understand why people get so hostile to this. Truvada is here and yes lots of people are taking it to have 70s style sex. They’re taking control of their health decisions and not living in fear anymore. I think that’s great. It’s also a reason why in SF HIV rates are going down and their Travada is a contributing factor in that.
“The success of Truvada-centered PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, is also proof positive for some public health officials that their goal of getting to zero new infections is realistic and achievable.”
http://www.sfexaminer.com/sf-records-all-time-low-in-hiv-infections-deaths/
Chris
This video is wrong on so many levels.
But then why, after years of watching this disease take away people who I have friended and/or have loved, am I laughing so hard?
I may have trouble with the message; but it is hilarious. “You’ve got [all these illnesses] but it’s not HIV” brilliant!
Clinton Andrew
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Kieru
@notevenwrong: You’re right – HIV-2 is rare in the United States. The CDC confirmed in 2011 that there were fewer than 200 cases of HIV-2 in the States, half of which were located right in New York City.
My concern is basically this. Online I see a lot of misinformation. Concepts like “Truvada means I don’t have to use condoms, ever!” or “Truvada has no side effects, at all” and of course “Truvada is 100% effective”. All of those statements should have asterisks beside them… but a lot of people are ignoring that.
Take control of your sex life! If that means choosing not to use condoms in favor of a daily pill so be it… but at least make sure you’re making that decision based on actual understanding, and not witty soundbites by bias sources (whether that bias is pro or against is irrelevant)
notevenwrong
@moldisdelicious: “HIV positive and on PrEP…”
I think you are confused. Only HIV-negative people are prescribed PrEP, and you have to keep testing negative every three months to remain on it, or your prescription won’t be renewed. If you are going to criticize, fine, but at least inform yourself first.
Alistair Wiseman
Queerty needs to learn the difference between political correctness and irresponsibility.
moldisdelicious
@notevenwrong:
Breh, I’m only saying what folks have told me. These folks said they were undetectable too and pushing up on me too on some strong arm shit. Scary how theres hiv positive dudes that are open to barebacking through hookups with hiv negative people.
Realityis
@Stache: writes “Truvada is here and yes lots of people are taking it to have 70s style sex.” – the most fucked up thing I have heard on this subject and this site… so NOT what PrEP is about or what it is supposed to be used for….
There is going to be some weird shit coming in the next few years… especially with that attitude… How do you think AIDS came about.
I’m HIV positive and as much as I loved have sex without a condom, if I were negative, I wouldn’t put my life in the hands of Big Pharma, cus ya know what? You get sick, they making more money……
Stache
@Realityis: Peter Staley and even Larry Kramer are now supporting it’s use. Yes. People are not using it the way the manufacturer intends it but all the studies so far confirm that it’s 100% effective no matter what.
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/12/09/aids-activist-larry-kramer-has-changed-his-mind-about-hiv-preventing-drugs/
Now as far as big pharma I agree. It needs to be made available for everyone that wants it. I think it’s completely fucked up that profits are put ahead of people’s health.
Stache
@Realityis: Edit. I mean if used correctly it’s effective.
I’m done with this subject though. Too much BS from each side. I’d much prefer to talk about finding a cure and Government funding spent on just that. Grants for University studies and such.
notevenwrong
@Stache, I agree. The U.S. system is so messed up though. University grants (paid for by taxpayers) routinely get turned into private Big Pharma profit. You and I paid for much of the research that went into HIV drugs including Truvada, yet Gilead gets to take the abusively high profits. The idea of using Truvada for PrEP didn’t even come out of Gilead, yet they get all the financial benefit.
nature boy
I love drag queens. Sherry Vine you rock !
DonW
If PrEP had been introduced in 1985 when people were dropping like flies, there would have been dancing in the streets of the gayborhoods coast to coast. Today, there’s this incredible advance in prevention, and it’s nothing but shame and shade and fear-mongering — and not from the religious right, but from our own community.
Eventually there will be a vaccine for HIV. Will you refuse to take it because it’s for “whores”? Will you be opposed to a cure for HIV, because then people won’t be suitably frightened of sex and might get the clap?
Realityis
@DonW: Don, I want a cure so I don’t have to think about this virus anymore. I don’t slut shame, cus I used to be a slut…. in NYC.
I am sick and tired of this. We are only making the execs. of Big Pharma richer…. Who the fuck want’s a vaccine… Talk CURE and nothing less.