Birmingham's hotels...
Tell us when you're coming and REALBirmingham will tell you the best deals available!Birmingham's best...
|
community news15 years of FREE safer gay sexSaturday, 11 April 2009 The Free Gay Men’s Safer Sex scheme is widely recognised as one of the largest and most accessible free condom and lube distribution schemes for gay and bisexual men in the UK. The scheme consists of over half a million condoms and sachets of lube distributed throughout the Greater Manchester region every year. One of the key aims of the Lesbian and Gay Foundation is to reduce the numbers of gay and bisexual men who are picking up and passing on HIV and tackling the spread of sexually transmitted infections. To do this it is essential that men have easy access to the tools they need in order to have the safest sex possible - free condoms, and water-based lube. Gay men and HIV risk Many of today’s younger gay and bisexual men have not benefited from the high visibility of earlier sexual health campaigns and some older men have become complacent about their sexual health.The Health Protection Agency has recently estimated that nearly 4 in 10 of the 7,370 cases of HIV Infection in the last year were in gay men - twice the number of a decade ago. Recent studies also suggest that high numbers of gay men are engaging in unsafe sex. However, the number of new diagnoses overall and within the gay community has fallen slightly year-on-year which can only be as a result of initiatives such as the free condom and lube scheme. However much more needs to be done!
All of the gay bars and clubs in Manchester’s Gay village make the free condom and lube freely available. They can also be found at sexual health clinics, saunas, hotels and many other venues throughout Greater Manchester. Back in the early 1990’s funding for HIV prevention schemes was scarce and today the scheme is supported by most of Greater Manchester’s Primary Care Trust’s along with added fundraising at events like Manchester Pride which helps to keep the scheme free. When used properly condoms and lube are still the main defence in the continuing war on HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections. We are incredibly excited to be continuing our work with Durex who as the market leaders in condoms and lubricants are proud supporters of the scheme. Gay Men’s Safer Sex Packs, specifically designed for LGF include 2 Durex Elite condoms and 2 Durex Play Feel lubricant sachets. Individual Elite condoms are also available. Durex Elite are ultra fine condoms with extra lube giving heightened sensitivity. LGF would like to thank everyone across Greater Manchester that has made the scheme the success that it is today. 15 years of safer sex: The Facts * The scheme is promoted through over 75 venues in Greater Manchester.
|
 |
Stonewall
please login to add to this item