Tag Archives: Health

Grindr survey on PrEP

Posted on January 14, 2016 | Leave a comment

TruvadaLast fall Grindr released the video below to share their survey findings after partnering with the CDC, SFAF and Gilead.  The nationwide survey looked at current attitudes, usage and questions regarding PrEP.

What is PrEP?  PrEP (also sometimes referred to as Truvada) is a daily pill that has been approved by the FDA and been shown to be safe and effective in preventing HIV’s ability to copy itself in your body after you’ve been exposed.

According to the survey findings many gay men who are sexually active are afraid to ask their doctors about PrEP and 1 in 10 had trouble getting their doctors to prescribe them the medication (that statistic was double for black respondents).

If you would like to learn more about PrEP but don’t know where to turn you can email Fenway Health at information@fenwayhealth.org or call them during business hours at (857) 313-6590.

Click here to find the nearest testing center in your area (US Only)

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Do you know your HIV status

Posted on December 1, 2015 | Leave a comment

Safe SexEven though half of the people living with HIV are over the age of 50 infections continue to happen and there remains no cure for AIDS.

According to statistics from AIDS.gov, there are approximately 50,000 new HIV infections each year in the US. In 2010 50% of youth under the age of 24 with HIV didn’t know that they were positive. Aside from concerns that these people are not receiving the necessary medical care and attention they need it is likely they are unintentionally infecting others who do not engage in safe sex — so make it a point to know your status.

Local resources – including testing and counseling are available in the following locations listed below.  Feel free to share other sites you know about in the comments section. Maybe in honor of World AIDS Day you’d like to make a donation to help these organizations continue their important work.

AIDS ACTION COMMITTEE of MA  / The Male Center
www.aac.org
Fenway Health
www.fenwayhealth.org
Planned Parenthood 
www.plannedparenthood.org
The Borum (Sidney Borum Health Center)
www.sidneyborum.org

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Uber helps you give back on World AIDS Day, 12/1/15

Posted on November 30, 2015 | 1 comment

HIV, Fenway Health Study, Stronger TogetherAbout 15 years ago when I worked at the AIDS Action Committee of MA (AAC) I was responsible for soliciting corporate donations.  During my tenure at AAC I never recall any of the local taxi companies donating a single penny.  Uber’s support for causes that mean something to me increases my loyalty to them. Their support may be just savvy marketing but they are helping raise awareness and money for charities that are near and dear to me; and that matters to me.

Earlier this year Uber joined the EAT (RED) DRINK (RED) SAVES LIVES campaign to fit AIDS with (RED). On World AIDS Day, Tuesday, December 1, 2015 Uber is partnering with (RED) and enabling riders to help drive towards an AIDS Free generation. AIDSOn Tuesday, Dec. 1, Uber riders in more than 150 cities nationwide (including Boston) can join the fight by choosing to ride (RED) and donate $5 on top of their normal fare.* Around the world, cars in the app will turn red to drive awareness around the cause. Moreover, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has generously pledged to match all donations made to (RED) in-app on December 1. With this match, every $5 donation helps provide a month’s worth of lifesaving medicine, which costs as little as 30 cents a day, to a mother living with HIV/AIDS.

Want to donate? It’s easy.

  • On 12/1, choose the (RED) option in the app
  • Your uberX ride will be the same as usual
  • Uber will contact you by SMS at the end of your trip — reply YES to donate $5 to the Global Fund*

If you’re not riding on December 1, join the conversation and support the drive to an AIDS-free generation.

$0.25 OF EACH $5 DONATION WILL BE USED TO COVER PROCESSING FEES.
*ALL DONATIONS MADE THROUGH THE (RED) OPTION IN THE APP GO DIRECTLY TO THE GLOBAL FUND, A 21ST-CENTURY ORGANIZATION DESIGNED TO ACCELERATE THE END OF AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA AS EPIDEMICS.

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Great American Smokeout is today

Posted on November 19, 2015 | 1 comment

Great American SmokeoutThe third Thursday of November is the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout. The intent is to encourage smokers to finally give up smoking.

42 million Americans still smoke cigarettes, and tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States. However the bad news about smoking doesn’t stop there.

Did you know that a man who smokes could see his penis shrink by as much as a centimeter? In addition, smoking impacts a man’s ability to be aroused (a.k.a. erectile dysfunction).  It turns out that the penis may be even more susceptible to smoking-induced damage than the heart, making such health issues possible early warnings of heart disease.

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New South End gym: Swet Studio

Posted on November 18, 2015 | Leave a comment

south end fitness, lgbt fitnessSwet Studio opened in the South End last month and what caught my attention was, while all are welcome, it caters to the LGBT community.  I’m not sure there is any place like it in Boston. One look at their classes and schedule and you will realize they have quite a range of unique fitness and dance classes, including same sex ballroom classes, indoor rowing and anti-gravity, aerial yoga just to name a few.Realm Health and Fitness Tips from Kyle, exerciseLater this month on Saturday, November 28th (the Saturday after Thanksgiving) Swet Studio is hosting their first ever Men’s class – Full Body Workout for just $25. Get an amazing full body workout with like-minded guys, followed by a post workout jazz brunch at The Beehive.  All net proceeds from registrations purchased will be donated to Mass Equality Education Fund.

Swet Studio has a first time offer; $20 for your first class. In addition there are some great coupons available on GroupOn; Swet Studio on GroupOn. A couple of classes at Swet could be the perfect holiday gift to give to yourself to offset the celebratory drinks and meals you know you’ll end up consuming.

SWET STUDIO
480 Tremont Street – South End
(617)670.0631 
INFO@SWETSTUDIO.COM

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Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that

Posted on November 14, 2015 | 2 comments

ParisLet’s not try to rationalize the irrational. This is an attack on everyone who values personal freedoms and individual liberties; unfortunately it happened to take place in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  Despite that obscenity the spirit of Paris and the French will rise above this tragedy.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Watts Safeword: PrEP Myths

Posted on November 9, 2015 | 1 comment

PrEPOne of my favorite blogs, Accidental Bear, has a blog post that I wanted to share. The links below the video are courtesy of that blog which you can check out in my blogroll.

The term “safe sex” is sometimes relative, especially considering the many options the LGBTQ community has today. One such relatively new option is PrEP, the HIV prevention pill, but a lot of misconceptions about the drug remain. Do yourself a favor and talk to your doctor to determine if PrEP is right for you.

Check out Amp and Bolt from Watts the Safeword on YouTube video about PrEP. Last week they sat down to briefly explain how it works and why it may be right for you.

PrEP can be expensive, learn how to can get assisted: http://ow.ly/Ulktp
Wondering how to talk to your doctor?: http://ow.ly/Ulk5s
For more on PrEP: http://ow.ly/UlkGP

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