Check out this interesting mini-bio of  Octavio Vallejo, the latest in IRMA’s “Meet a Friendly Rectal Microbicide Advocate” series on the IRMA website here.  Octavio is one of five new bios posted this week. Octavio VallejoLos Angeles, California, USA Octavio Vallejo has been working in the HIV prevention field for more than 22 years. As an HIV+ Read More >>

Check out Javier Lopez’s mini-bio, the latest in IRMA’s “Meet a Friendly Rectal Microbicide Advocate” series on the IRMA website here.  Javier is one of five new bios posted this week.   Javier Lopez New York City, USA Javier Lopez first learned about rectal microbicides when his partner worked for Project Gel in Puerto Rico. Javier was Read More >>

Find out a little about Stephen McGill in his mini-bio, the latest in IRMA’s “Meet a Friendly Rectal Microbicide Advocate” series on the IRMA website here.  Stephen is one of five new bios posted in the past week.   Stephen McGill Monrovia, Liberia  Stephen McGill, with an extensive background in public health, HIV/AIDS prevention, and human rights Read More >>

Find out a little about Hailey Gilmore in her interesting mini-bio, the latest in IRMA’s “Meet a Friendly Rectal Microbicide Advocate” series on the IRMA website here.  Hailey is one of five new bios we are featuring.  Hailey GilmoreSan Francisco, California, USA Hailey Gilmore studied international development in college and was always interested in sexual health promotion Read More >>

Check out this interesting mini-bio of  Coco Alinsug, the latest in IRMA’s “Meet a Friendly Rectal Microbicide Advocate” series on the IRMA website here.  Coco is one of five new bios posted this week.   Coco AlinsungBoston, Massachusettes, USA A native of the Philippines and a resident of Lynn, Massachusetts with his partner, Coco Alinsug has made a 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 >>

via PLoS Medicine, by Gordon Mansergh, Beryl A. Koblin, Patrick S. Sullivan Summary Points: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with anti-retroviral (ARV) medications is partially efficacious for preventing HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexuals. As PrEP becomes available and prescribed for use among MSM a better understanding of willingness to use PrEP and Read More >>

via Science Speaks, by Antigone Barton When he looks at what biomedical science can do in the next decade to prevent HIV transmission, Jim Turpin of the National Institutes of Health said, he thinks of the lyrics of a Timbuk3 song: “The future’s so bright I gotta wear shades.” By, which, actually, he means — don’t get Read More >>

via Center for Strategic & International Studies In light of the need to address key populations in the HIV epidemic, the Center for Strategic and International Studies is convening several authors to discuss a special issue of The Lancet focused on the global HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM). Thursday, September 6th3:00pm—5:00pm (EST)B1 Conference Read More >>