Oral paper presented by Alex Carballo-Diéguez at IAS 2013.   Click for slides. Abstract: Background: Adherence to product use is the cornerstone of microbicide studies. This is the first study to assess how frequently mainly ethnic minority MSM, ages 18-30, with a history of unprotected receptive anal intercourse (RAI) in the prior year, would self-administer gel using Read More >>

via Positive Lite, by Marc-André LeBlanc “This situation is unacceptable. We’re in 2013, for the love of all that is wet and wild! How can we not know the answer to such a fundamental question—are lubes safe?”   Here I am again, standing in front of a giant wall of lube options at a local store. Water-based, silicone-based, Read More >>

via IRIN PlusNews “Key populations – such as MSM and sex workers – who need the lubricant the most, often get their health-related services from local NGOs, which are not often included in [HIV/AIDS] policies or broader [health] programmes,” explained Bidia Deperthes, a senior HIV adviser with UNFPA’s Comprehensive Condom Programming division in New York. KATHMANDU, 21 February Read More >>

by Mike PetersIRMA Intern  Recently on the highly-active IRMA listserv we discussed the issue of “gay shame” and the increased depression, substance abuse, and suicidal tendencies that go along with that notion.  The original posting had to do with a sense of internalized homophobia within the gay community.  While members of our listserv debated the accuracy of Read More >>

 via aidsmap, by Gus Cairns How do we stop the hyperepidemic in gay men? A number of presentations at the 19th International AIDS Conference explored the ‘hyperepidemic’ of HIV amongst men who have sex with men, and especially black MSM. A paper presented by Gregorio Millet (pictured above at a White House reception honoring people working in AIDS) showed that, at Read More >>

Check out this interesting mini-bio of Wipas Wimonsate (Toon), the latest in IRMA’s “Meet a Friendly Rectal Microbicide Advocate” series on the IRMA website here.  Toon is one of the six new bios just posted the other day, including individuals from Thailand, Kenya and the US.  Each will be featured on the blog, and you can read all Read More >>

Check out this interesting mini-bio of Amber Rucker, the latest in IRMA’s “Meet a Friendly Rectal Microbicide Advocate” series on the IRMA website here.  Amber is one of six new bios just posted the other day, including individuals from Thailand, Kenya and the US.  Each will be featured on the blog, and you can read all of Read More >>

Check out this interesting mini-bio of Ben Perkins, the latest in IRMA’s “Meet a Friendly Rectal Microbicide Advocate” series on the IRMA website here.  Ben is one of the six new bios just posted the other day, including individuals from Thailand, Kenya and the US.  Each will be featured on the blog, and you can read all of Read More >>

Check out this interesting mini-bio of Pedro Goicochea, the latest in IRMA’s “Meet a Friendly Rectal Microbicide Advocate” series on the IRMA website here.  Pedro is one of six new bios just posted today, including individuals from Kenya,Thailand and the US.  Each will be featured on the blog, and you can read all of them here right Read More >>

via NPR, by Jason Beaubien Health officials in Kenya say reducing the transmission of HIV among gay men is a central part of their national AIDS strategy. But they face serious challenges, including the fact that homosexuality is still a crime in the East African nation. HIV rates among gay and bisexual men in Kenya are far Read More >>