GMFA: “TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFER SEX”

This World AIDS Day, GMFA, the gay men’s health charity, will be promoting the message that all gay men, regardless of their HIV status, are responsible for safer sex, in a new postcard campaign and host of fundraising events.

Matthew Hodson, Head of Programmes at GMFA, said: “This is a simple yet important health message that we want to get across. Many HIV-negative men believe it’s up to positive men not to infect others, while many HIV-positive men believe HIV-negative men should take responsibility to protect themselves. The truth is we are all responsible for our own health as well as that of our partners.”

Unsafe sex between gay men, HIV positive and HIV negative, is behind the spread of HIV in the gay community. Both positive and negative gay men in the UK engage in high-risk sexual activity – specifically, fucking without condoms – with men whose status they do not know, or whose status they know to be different to their own.

“This means that whatever your own HIV status, you can’t rely on your partner to take responsibility for preventing the spread of HIV. Whether you want to protect your partners or protect yourself, it’s up to you to take responsibility,” adds Matthew.

Postcards featuring the message will be available in gay bars and clubs across London to coincide with a range of fundraising events in support of GMFA. Staff at participating venues will also be wearing T-shirts with the campaign slogan to further promote the message.