STI/STD/HIV

Recent posts

“Too Gay To Give”: Are Blood Donation Restrictions Outdated?

As of late, there have been numerous blood drives taking place on IU’s campus – attempting to peak students’ interest in donating blood. The Red Cross buses have been parked outside of popular buildings on campus – with signs littered about campus and chalk on the sidewalks leading towards their location – in hopes of attracting new donors. Yet this emergence of visibility has not just peaked the students’ interest in donating blood, it has helped raise awareness surrounding the discriminatory restrictions that the FDA has placed on gay mens’ ability to donate. Continue Reading →

Getting Tested for HIV

I’m a little late for World AIDS Day (December 1), but  UNAIDS on Twitter told me that every day more than 7,000 people are infected with HIV. While sitting in class watching “House on Fire” (which I highly recommend; it talks about the disparity between the white and black communities with regard to HIV and AIDS), I was reminded of the importance of being tested. Continue Reading →

Gay Porn Studio Fined By Cal/OSHA

Cal/OSHA recently fined gay porn studio Treasure Island Media $21,470 for allegedly putting employees in danger by exposing workers “to semen and other potentially infectious materials.” Treasure Island often makes barebacking porn (sex with no condoms, usually gay men) which carries many risks. I’m curious how this will affect the debate over condom use in straight porn. Thoughts? Continue Reading →

Safer Sex Promotion For The Video Game Generation

The Leicestershire division of the UK’s Teen Pregnancy Partnership put out this wonderfully nerdy safer sex promotion video (below). Often, youth-targeted safer sex messages come off as condescending, preachy, or just plain silly (words ending in “z” anyone?). I think this organization hit the right note with this one. Enjoy, Robot Masters! Continue Reading →

Being Positive About HIV

There have been some headlines recently about people who do not disclose their STI status and infecting other people, and in general, HIV has a negative connotation. When I read this article on how the author does not blame anyone for his HIV status, I was intrigued. From my own experience talking to friends, if they are diagnosed with an STI they blame someone, even if it’s only themselves. However, Kirk Grisham isn’t angry at anyone. Grisham also points out the importance of both communication and condom use. Continue Reading →