Menu

Q & A's  History

(Previous Questions from MSM Sexual Health & PHA's webpages)

                       

 





Statement of the Month >>>  Dated:   April 2013

It's Getting HOT(TER) in Here! 


"We may often think to ourselves, 'I have a job, a car and great relationships, so what if I have a few drinks a day?' ... Substance abuse isn't just the absence of those things ... it could be a broader spectrum of other psychological, social or emotional stressors."

To view the article regarding the statement of the month visit





QUESTION OF THE MONTH? - April 2013
What is Totally outRIGHT?

Totally outRIGHT is Coming this May 2013!

Do you have four days to be smarter, healthier and sexier?

Totally outRIGHT may be for you or someone you know!

Totally outRIGHT is a free leadership workshop series for young gay and bi guys interested in sexual health. These workshops are for a cross-section of young gay and bi guys (ages 18-29). The workshops are open to HIV-negative and HIV-positive guys, trans guys and guys from different ethnic backgrounds.

Totally outRIGHT is a great way to meet other young gay and bi guys and connect with leaders in our community.

The program is for guys who identify as gay or bi, want to learn about love, life, sexuality, sexual health; and want to apply that knowledge in their community.

Got More Questions?
Find out more about Totally outRIGHT at: http://www.actoronto.org/home.nsf/pages/toqa

Want to Register?
It’s easier than ever" Check out: www.actoronto.org/to
Our current registration deadline is April 18 at 5:00 PM.




STATEMENT OF THE MONTH? - April 2013

Help us out: Condom Stuffing Program

Help us put together a variety of safer sex packs for community distribution. We offer refreshments and food. No need to register . . . just show up! A great way to meet others, chat and help out.

If you can spare a couple of hours, it’s a great way to give back to your community.

For more information about this program click here





QUESTION OF THE MONTH? - March 2013
How risky is barebacking for HIV transmission?
Let’s break down the possibilities.
  • If you and your partner are both HIV negative, then there’s obviously no risk for HIV transmission. However, you may not really know the HIV status of your partner, or you may be assuming that his HIV status is the same as yours. In addition, you might think that you are HIV negative because you got tested: but when were you last tested for HIV? Six months ago? A year ago? Longer? Have you had unprotected anal sex with others since your test, and as a result become infected with HIV? You might have HIV and not know it: studies have shown that almost 20% of gay and bi men who think they are HIV negative actually have HIV.
  • If you are HIV negative while your partner is HIV positive, unprotected anal sex is high risk for HIV transmission. The Canadian AIDS Society’s HIV Transmission Guidelines define "high-risk" practices as those presenting the real potential for HIV transmission because they involve an exchange of body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, blood or breast milk. In addition, a significant number of scientific studies have repeatedly associated those practices with HIV infection.


FOLLOW UP:
To view the online source and other related questions, regarding the hyperlink above called "How risky is barebacking for HIV transmission?"







Question of the Month >>>  Dated:   March 2013

How to better understand your lab reports? 

An important part of your HIV health care involves regular doctor's visits for lab work. These laboratory tests are used as a part of your treatment plan to help monitor your HIV progression as well as providing information to help you and your doctor make decisions about your treatment regimen -- whether you should start, stop or change treatments. A commitment to regularly monitoring your lab work is an important way to take charge of your health. Just knowing and understanding this aspect of your health care is crucial for many to find a level of comfort with understanding their HIV.


To view the article regarding the question of the month visit  




Statement of the Month >>>  Dated:   March 2013

It's Getting HOT(TER) in Here! 


"We may often think to ourselves, 'I have a job, a car and great relationships, so what if I have a few drinks a day?' ... Substance abuse isn't just the absence of those things ... it could be a broader spectrum of other psychological, social or emotional stressors."

To view the article regarding the statement of the month visit   >>>



QUESTION OF THE MONTH? - February 2013
I feel guilty whenever I bareback. Why do I sometimes slip up and have unprotected sex?
We’re all human. Nobody is perfect. Try to better understand the situations in which you get involved in unprotected sex. Where are you usually? How are you typically feeling? What reasoning do you use to make it more acceptable for you to have unprotected anal sex? Does your partner pressure you?

Just because you might occasionally 'slip up' and have unprotected sex doesn't mean you are necessarily a 'barebacker'. Some guys feel that sex without a condom is more care-free, more pleasurable and exciting. Others are worried about rejection, or about losing their erection. If you really want to be using condoms for anal sex (and there are many good reasons to do this!), there are ways you can experience intense pleasure and intimacy. And, you can learn to wear a condom and keep your dick hard.

FOLLOW UP:
To view the online source and other related questions, regarding the hyperlink above called "I feel guilty whenever I bareback. Why do I sometimes slip up and have unprotected sex?"



STATEMENT OF THE MONTH? - February 2013

Discussion Groups for gay/bi/queer guys

Did you know that the: AIDS Committee of Toronto

Has workshops and discussion groups on everything from dating, relationships, sex and intimacy. Get involved in community activities and forums.

For more information about these groups click here




Question of the Month >>>  Dated:   January 2013

HIV/AIDS and the Aging Population: What's Going On? 

Three experts on issues related to aging and HIV provide an in-depth overview of the stigma, health problems and quality-of-life concerns faced by HIV-positive people who are age 50 and older.


To view the answer to the question visit  





Statement of the Month >>>  Dated:   January 2013

Top 10 HIV Clinical Developments of 2012 


A stroll back through 10 of the year's research breakthroughs that are most likely to change the way we prevent and treat HIV. The incomparable David Alain Wohl, M.D., recaps 2012's top HIV-related clinical highlights and explains why each is such a big deal.


To view the answer to the statement visit   >>>

QUESTION OF THE MONTH? - December 2012
Laying It Bare: Gay Men and Unprotected Sex in the Age of HIV/AIDS?
"On one hand, you have 'barebacking' used very broadly to describe any unprotected anal intercourse. And usually it's used in the context of gay men. And then on the other side, you have 'barebacking' used to really identify those that identify themselves as folks that bareback, or identify as a particular group of people who identify as a subculture of barebackers."

FOLLOW UP:
For the full article, regarding the hyperlink above called "Laying It Bare: Gay Men and Unprotected Sex in the Age of HIV/AIDS?"

STATEMENT OF THE MONTH? - December 2012

GAY MEN & SAFER SEX

Barebacking, Unbridled: Thoughts From the HIV Community on Unprotected Sex

No matter what your position on barebacking is, chances are excellent that one of TheBody.com's interviewees, bloggers or content partners has touched upon it. Check out this sampling of perspectives on gay men and sexual risk that have been shared on our site, and add your own opinion to the debate!

QUESTION OF THE WEEK? - September 27th, 2012
Sex, HIV and the Criminal Law
Are you concerned about the issue of disclosing your HIV status, Do you have any concerns or questions about it?

If you have answered YES to either one of the above questions, then feel free to check out the upcoming One Night Stand Workshop Series Discussion Groups for men who identify as gay, bi-sexual, men who have sex with men, trans-men and two-spirited.

Sex, HIV and the Criminal Law:
Disclosure of HIV Status for Gay and Bi Men

Thursday, October 4, 2012
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at ACT (Room 220)
399 Church Street (Carlton and Church)

The issue of disclosure of HIV status has gone beyond personal ethics, opinions and individual dialogue, to involving the Canadian Criminal Code. Many people want to know how to disclose so that they do not get in trouble with the criminal justice system. Others wonder if depending on the Criminal Code is safe and will protect you.

This workshop is useful for guys who want to know:
  • what the current state of the law is around HIV non-disclosure;
  • what this means for men living with HIV;
  • what legal questions are still being decided and are still being evolved through case law; and
  • other areas of law around HIV non-disclosure.


Note: this is a group educational workshop, not a legal counselling session.

Special Guest Speaker: Kevin Wong, Staff Lawyer HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario http://www.halco.org

Hosted by: Rui Pires, Gay Men's Community Education Coordinator http://www.actoronto.org/onenightstand

RSVP by calling 416-340-8484 ext. 264 or by emailing rpires@actoronto.org

For more information about it or how to RSVP for this event please visit the hyperlink below.
FOLLOW UP:
For the rest of this story, regarding the hyperlink above called "Sex, HIV and the Criminal Law"

STATEMENT OF THE WEEK? - August 25th, 2012

Why Men Bareback?

Christopher Banks asks why men bareback. "We’re long overdue for some collective discussion on this. Alongside the instruction to “love” your condom, we need to hear from real-life men telling us why they do – or don’t."

In a recent post about the Bareback Brotherhood (BBBH) movement, I expressed deep concerns about the motivations behind its founder, Mark Bentson, and some of the practices which seem to be endorsed – either directly or indirectly – by his writings: the horror-film scenarios of “stealthing” and “gifting”.

There are, of course, many men who engage in bareback sex consensually without sociopathic tendencies. They find it erotic, and aligning themselves with the BBBH movement is itself a turn-on, despite the elements of pathology and psychopathy riding round the edges. Why?

New research suggests that the answer can be found inside our eternally contradictory brains with a process called “compartmentalisation”. That’s the thing that lets us know something is dangerous/bad for us while going ahead and doing it anyway.

It’s a distorted thought process that is often seen in people who, for example, are vehemently opposed to equal rights for gay people but inexplicably seem to unconditionally accept a gay family member or individual in their life, without seeing the dissonance.

A new paper published in a recent issue of the journal Qualitative Health Research, entitled “Inner Contradictions In Men Who Bareback”, asked questions of 120 men located in New York City who self-identified as “barebackers”. The men were recruited through popular dating sites, and HIV-negative men were deliberately oversampled.

According to the researchers, the majority of these men interviewed expressed a simultaneous desire to remain HIV-negative and continue with sexual behaviour that they knew exposed them to higher risk of becoming infected.



FOLLOW UP:
For more information visit Positive.com - Canada Online HIV Magazine

STATEMENT OF THE WEEK? - August 25th, 2012
Turning a Blind Eye to Smoking No Longer
It's time, I'm afraid, to turn a critical gaze on those with HIV who smoke -- but more importantly those service providers who ignore that life-threatening issue. Because where we are now as a community on this issue, a community who should be leaders in promoting healthy choices is, frankly, third-rate.

There, I've said it. Stop reading, unfriend me. Call me a bore. But no matter, I'm joining the painfully thin ranks of those who say our community's lack of action has to be addressed. Simply put, we need to put smoking cessation programs front and centre. Turning a blind eye on smoking is destroying prospects of healthy living. Let's be big boys and girls. Let's be brave, be strong, acknowledge our vulnerabilities, individually and collectively, and care for each other and our community in ways we haven't tried before.

At one time I was more tolerant. We had excuses, lots of them. But some of those excuses seem weaker now. So I've become tired of AIDS service providers -- your local ASO may be one of them -- whose wellness problems ignore the biggest threat to wellness of all. There may be a place for acupuncture, massage therapy, wellness retreats and the A-Z range of therapies that crop up on the agenda of most ASO's , but don't include smoking cessation programs, or routine referrals to same, and ASO credibility suffers.

FOLLOW UP:
For the rest of this story, regarding the hyperlink above called "Turning a Blind Eye to Smoking No Longer" My Source:

STATEMENT OF THE WEEK? - August 11th, 2012
Risky Talk
"Do people with HIV have an attitude toward risk-taking that sets us apart from our negative brothers and sisters? It's kind of an impolite thought, so we seldom go there. But surely it's a proposition worth looking into."

FOLLOW UP:
For more informaiton click and read the hyperlink above called "Risky Talk" My Source:

QUESTION OF THE WEEK? - August 11th, 2012

Broken Condom, Worried Bottom: What Next?

I had anal sex a few days back; I was the receiving partner (bottom) and the other guy wore a condom. Unfortunately, though, we had used oil before this, and because of the oil, the condom he was wearing broke. We stopped immediately. He did not ejaculate inside me at all but I'm worried about pre-cum. I don't know his HIV status, and I foolishly believed wearing a condom would keep me safe. What should I do now?



FOLLOW UP:
For more informaiton click this hyperlink called "Broken Condom, Worried Bottom: What Next?"  My Source: 



QUESTION OF THE WEEK? - July 21st, 2012
Implausible Deniability -- Sex and Self-Deception Among HIV-Negative Gay Men
"I half expected him to tell me he was positive. Instead, N told me softly, 'I'm negative.' 'And I'm poz,' I replied without missing a beat. His expression froze, so I asked, 'Is that a deal breaker?' He responded, 'It has been in the past.'"

FOLLOW UP:
For more informaiton click and read the hyperlink above called "Implausible Deniability -- Sex and Self-Deception Among HIV-Negative Gay Men" My Source:

STATEMENT OF THE WEEK - July 21st, 2012

Which STDs are transmitted via oral sex?

If a person is infected with any of the following STDs, there is a risk they could transmit the infection via oral sex.

  • The most common STD transmitted via oral sex is herpes. There are two main types of herpes simplex virus (HSV): HSV type 1, which usually causes cold sores around the mouth, and HSV type 2, which generally causes sores around the genitals. If a person has HSV type 1 and they give oral sex to another person, the herpes could be transmitted to the genital area of the other person, causing genital sores. This process can also work in reverse, with HSV-2 transmitting from the genitals to the mouth of the other person during oral sex, though this is rare.
  • Gonorrhea can easily be transmitted via oral sex. The infection is usually passed from infected genitals to a person's throat, but can also be passed from an infected throat to a person's genitals. The body will almost always naturally clear the throat of the bacteria that cause gonorrhea within three months, although infections in the genital tract will usually require antibiotics to cure.
  • Syphilis is easily transmitted during oral sex if a person’s mouth comes into contact with an open sore or a skin rash caused by the infection.
  • It is possible (but thought to be not very common) for the human papillomavirus, which causes genital warts, to be transmitted through oral sex.
  • Chlamydia can infect the throat via oral sex, although this is thought to be uncommon. People with chlamydia may not have any symptoms and may not be aware they are infected.
  • The hepatitis A virus is found in human faeces, and may be passed on during anal-oral sex.
  • Hepatitis B is contained in sexual fluids and blood and may be transmitted during oral sex in a similar way to HIV (see below).
  • Hepatitis C is generally only contained in blood, and will only be transmitted if there is blood present during oral sex.
  • Gastrointestinal infections and parasites may be passed on during oral contact with the anus.


FOLLOW UP:
For more informaiton click this hyperlink called "avert.org"  My Sources: avert.org

QUESTION OF THE WEEK? - July 14th, 2012
What's the Risk in Barebacking With a Poz Bottom?
I recently met a man who is HIV positive; I'm HIV negative. We want to have sex, and I'd like to do it bareback. I'll be the top. Am I at risk for HIV if we engage in bareback sex, even if he is the receptive partner and his viral load is undetectable?

What is missing in the answer are questions like this:
  • How risky is it for the bottom who is HIV positive and if the top guy has an STI or even worst he doesn't know he has an STI
  • For the top guy there is still a risk because HIV is not only transmitted by blood but semen and anal fluids too. Also another concern for the top guy is, what about the bottom guy who is HIV positive, he might have an STI or even worst doesn't know he has an STI.
  • In my experiences guys will lie or not talk about sex and STI's. Communication is a good tool to use before any type of sex happens between two people.
The best defence for both of them is to use a condom. It's like playing Russian Roulette otherwise.

Personally, I feel both parties should talk about sex and start asking the right quesitons before having sex. Also, if you are sexually active and/or have mulitiple partners get STI Testing regularly.

FOLLOW UP:
For more informaiton click and read the hyperlink above called "What's the Risk in Barebacking With a Poz Bottom?" My Source:

Is "Dawson's 20 Load Weekend" the Most Important Gay Porn Film Ever Made?
"This was not a film that was made in the absence of HIV, but was created because of HIV," Mark S. King writes. "You can practically hear a disembodied voice whispering, 'Watch closely. This is how gay men have sex now. ... F*** AIDS.'"

To read the entire active click here   My Source:
STATEMENT OF THE WEEK - July 14th, 2012
Are there always symptoms for Gonorrhea or Syphilis?

Answer: No sometimes people don't have symptons or they are so mild, they go un-notice.

The best way to know for sure and to have peace of mind, is to have an STI test. This way you can have it looked at by your doctor or health care provider and get it treated. Do your part in stopping the spread of STI's.

FOLLOW UP:
For more informaiton click and read the hyperlink above called "Gonorrhea" or "Syphilis"  My Sources: ACToronto.org  &  avert.org

QUESTION OF THE WEEK? - July 7th, 2012
Are you having concerns over dating and disclosing your HIV status?
It's Time for My First Dating Disclosure, and I'm Scared; Help?
(A recent post from the "Relationships and Dating" board)

"I'm a guy. Out of the blue, I met a guy with whom I really connected. It went farther than I planned and lots of kissing was involved. Lots. No risky behavior, although there was fondling and near-nude cuddling. I have not disclosed and am so scared. Even though I haven't put him at risk I'm afraid he will freak out. I honestly tried to resist any interaction, but he was very forward and didn't take no for an answer. Advice?"

FOLLOW UP:
For more informaiton click and read the hyperlink above called "Are you having concerns over dating and disclosing your HIV status?" My Source:

STATEMENT OF THE WEEK - July 7th, 2012
Please Grow to End Transplant Ban Between HIV-Positive People
At a congressional briefing last week, HIV and transplant experts in the U.S. joined people living with HIV in calling for legislation that would allow HIV-positive people to donate organs to other HIV-positive people.

FOLLOW UP:
For more informaiton click and read the hyperlink above called "Please Grow to End Transplant Ban Between HIV-Positive People" My Source:

QUESTION OF THE WEEK? - June 30th, 2012
Is Protected Sex Really Protected?
Is sex while wearing a latex condom that doesn't break or fall off throughout anal sex really "protected sex"? I ask because several experts I have read online say the risk is low, not nonexistent, so that has me freaked out a little. I have always heard that condom-protected sex is safe sex and not to worry. I am a top and have never had unprotected sex or had a condom break or fall off, but reading that it is only "low risk," not "no risk," has me concerned. Can you give me some insight?

FOLLOW UP:
For more informaiton click and read the hyperlink above called "Is Protected Sex Really Protected?" My Source:

STATEMENT OF THE WEEK - June 30th, 2012
My Sex Partner's Positive, but He Pulled Out: Am I at Risk?
I had unprotected sex with a man who has HIV. He didn't inform me of his HIV status before our sexual encounter, and assures me now that I wasn't at risk since he pulled out well before he came. Is this true? If I am at risk, what can I do at this point?

FOLLOW UP:
For more informaiton click and read the hyperlink above called "My Sex Partner's Positive, but He Pulled Out: Am I at Risk?" My Source:

QUESTION OF THE WEEK? - June 24th, 2012
Six Reasons Why People Skip Their HIV Meds
Hey, we all would love to be perfect, but sometimes, crap happens. Here are some of the most frequent reasons why people end up not adhering to their HIV treatment -- and what you can do about it if these problems happen to you.

FOLLOW UP:
For more informaiton click and read the hyperlink above called "Six Reasons Why People Skip Their HIV Meds" My Source:

STATEMENT OF THE WEEK - June 24th, 2012
A Doctor's Office Discussion Guide
When it comes to good adherence, one of the most important pieces of the puzzle is having a strong relationship with your health care team. Here we share some important tips on how to make sure you and your doctor, nurse or other health care professional are on the same page.

FOLLOW UP:
For more informaiton click and read the hyperlink above called "A Doctor's Office Discussion Guide" My Source:

QUESTION OF THE WEEK? - June 17th, 2012
How Can I Support My Partner, and Hold Onto My Own Faith and Hope?
I met my fiancé last year, right before he went into a coma, and that's how I found out he's HIV positive. It's been a challenging year but we've made it through. However, we recently found out he needs to start taking HIV meds as soon as possible. I don't know how we're going to afford the meds, and my fiancé's afraid he might lose his job if he can't handle the side effects. I just ask God to make me stronger in this new challenge. How can I support him on this new path with meds? How can I stop crying all the time and thinking, "Why me?"

FOLLOW UP:
For more informaiton click and read the hyperlink above called "How Can I Support My Partner, and Hold Onto My Own Faith and Hope?" My Source:

QUESTION OF THE WEEK? - June 10th, 2012
How could I become infected with HIV?
There are five body fluids which have enough HIV in them to infect someone:
  • Blood
  • semen (cum)
  • vaginal fluids (including menstrual fluids)
  • rectal fluids
  • breast milk
FOLLOW UP:
For more informaiton click and read the hyperlink above called "How Could I become infected with HIV?" My Source: ACToronto.org

QUESTION OF THE WEEK? - June 3rd, 2012
DIPPING: Do you think it is a safe sex practice?
if your answer is YES RED FLAG
No it's not. It's in your best interest to click and read the hyperlink above called "DIPPING".
My Source: BareBackHealth.net