1 in 10 of us are HIV positive
Because of a lack of mass-media campaigns, many health promotional messages and provision of free condoms are not reaching enough gay and bisexual men. 84% of new HIV infections acquired in the UK are still amongst gay and bisexual men. A third of gay men are still having unprotected sex and a similar number are unaware they have the HIV virus.
1 in 10 of us are HIV positive
“Facing up to HIV is a big deal. Organisations like LGF that are out there to help with the downers and simple technical problems that can come about as a consequence of carrying this virus around with us, are a real bonus. We need to keep on banging home the message of safer sex, education and awareness. There is still a lot of stigma, even within the gay community - assumptions are still being made that only older gaymen get HIV or its not that big a deal and pills will control it.”
LGF’s Health services continue to have a strong focus around HIV prevention and sexual health promotion through our Condom and Lube Distribution Scheme, the outreach clinic and education and training.
- Through providing safer sex packs, we enabled men to have safer sex over 587,000 times last year within Greater Manchester through our Free Condom and Lube Distribution Scheme.
- Funding pressures experienced by the local NHS has impeded the re-launch of The Clinic which is now anticipated later in 2007. However the successful continuation of the outreach sexual heath clinic reached over 190 men last year.
- A new health guide focusing on HIV was produced, entitled‘The F**k stops with you’. Targeted at men who have sex with men, it considers the wide ranging effects that this virus is still having on all areas of our lives.
