[Citizen News Service and IRMA are collaborating to amplify rectal microbicide research and advocacy, as well as IRMA-led initiatives, throughout AIDS 2012, and after.] via Citizen News Service, by Bobby Ramakant At the recently concluded XIX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012), the ‘And Lubes’ campaign that brought attention to the fact that condoms should be distributed along Read More >>

[Citizen News Service and IRMA are collaborating to amplify rectal microbicide research and advocacy, as well as IRMA-led initiatives, throughout AIDS 2012.] via Citizen News Service, by Bobby Ramakant Most men, women and transgender people who practice anal sex use some kind of a lubricant (lube) ranging from expensive and commercially marketed branded lubes to saliva or Read More >>

via AllAfrica.com, by Gloria Nakiyimba World politicians meeting in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, have agreed on the need to repeal laws discriminating against HIV/Aids which they say have contributed to an increase in the rate of new infections. MP’s at the Inter Parliamentary Union assembly said laws that criminalize transmission of HIV, laws against sexual workers and Read More >>

via NY Times, by Donald G. McNeil, Jr. Shortly after Michel Sidibé became executive director of the United Nations’ AIDS prevention agency, a court in Senegal sentenced nine gay men, all AIDS educators, to eight years in prison for “unnatural acts.” In one of his first moves as the new chief of U.N.AIDS, Mr. Sidibe flew to Read More >>

From the Guardian, by Sarah Boseley. There appears to be real excitement at the International Aids Society conference in Rome (sadly I’m not there in person, but that is the feedback). There is still no vaccine on the horizon – once the biggest hope – but the news from recent studies that taking antiretroviral drugs protects people Read More >>

This the beginning of IRMA’s coverage of the IAS conference in Rome which opened yesterday, and which is being attended by several IRMA advocates. Via Associated Press, by Alessandra Rizzo. The head of the United Nations AIDS program called Sunday for an increase in access to drugs that help treat or prevent the spread of the disease, Read More >>

Via UNAIDS. UNAIDS lauds efforts by India’s National AIDS programme to provide HIV services for men who have sex with men and transgender people. Currently around 67% of men who have sex with men in India are accessing prevention services. According to estimates of the National AIDS Control Organization, there are more than 400 000 men who Read More >>

Via PlusNews. Discriminatory laws and a largely homophobic society mean that men who have sex with men (MSM) in Kenya generally find it difficult to access HIV-related information and health services, but rural MSM have an especially hard time. When Kibet Kipsowen*, 30, a cattle keeper in Kenya’s Rift Valley Province, and his partner have sex, they Read More >>

by Aldona Martinka This Sunday was the thirtieth anniversary of the CDC report that would become the first mention of HIV/AIDS. IRMA is commemorating this with a short series on AIDS history. It will explore where we began, where we are now, and where we are going as we continue to battle this disease with hope and determination. This is Read More >>

by Aldona Martinka May 31, 2011 – UPDATE: Unfortunately, this weekend’s symposium at the Vatican did not fulfill hopes that the Catholic Church might adopt a more comprehensive approach to HIV prevention. In fact, the Church’s long-held, misguided beliefs that condoms actually hurt HIV prevention continue to be supported. Dr. Sidibe quoted the Pope’s book, but the Read More >>