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Gay and bisexual men

In Australia, the largest group of people affected by HIV continues to be gay and other men who have sex with men. Information about specific issues of relevance to this group can be found below, along with more general information elsewhere on the site.

Key resources

Real Time

This is a resource for gay and bisexual men to assist you to avoid taking risks.

Not so positive about HIV status

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 26 November 2009
Gay and bisexual men

One out of five gay men with HIV in Australia may not know they are living with it, according to a survey conducted in Melbourne in 2008.

Investigators in the ‘Suck-it-and-see’ studyA clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. trialA clinical trial is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase I tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase II expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase III expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IV takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase IA clinical trial designed to establish whether an experimental drug is safe for humans to take. Phase I studies determine the metabolism and pharmacologic actions of drugs in humans, the side effects associated with increasing doses, and look for early evidence of effectiveness; these studies may include either people with HIV, HIV-negative volunteers, or both tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase IIA smaller clinical trial designed to establish whether a drug is effective. Phase II studies are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug for a particular indication or indications in patients with the disease or condition under study and to determine the common short-term side effects and risks. If there is evidence that the drug is effective, a Phase III study is undertaken, with a larger number of participaants, to confirm this. expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase IIIA large clinical trial designed to establish whether a drug is effective and safe enough for widespread use. Phase III studies include expanded controlled and uncontrolled trials after preliminary evidence suggesting effectiveness of the drug has been obtained, and are intended to gather additional information to evaluate the overall benefit-risk relationship of the drug and provide and adequate basis for physician labeling. expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IVPost-marketing studies to delineate additional information including the drug's risks, benefits, and optimal use. takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. collected saliva samples from 745 men at a number of gay community venues throughout Melbourne only to discover that 20 out of the 100 men whose samples tested positive were unaware of the fact. read more »

Real time: a resource for gay and bisexual men

Resource • 2 July 2009

This is a resource for gay and bisexual men to assist you to avoid taking risks. read more »

A cocktail for craziness

Positive Living article • Peter Canavan • 5 June 2009

Key findings from an Australian research project by the National Centre in HIV Social Research (NCHSRNational Centre in HIV Social Research. Located at the University of NSW in Sydney, NCHSR conducts research which describes and analyses the social understandings, meanings and practices of peoples, institutions and communities in relation to HIV, Hepatitis C and other communicable diseases.) have added considerably to what’s now known about the experience of HIV and depression in gay men. read more »

Black, gay and proud

Positive Living article • Wilo Muwadda • 5 June 2009

Black, gay and proud – this is Wilo Muwadda today. And it will be him tomorrow. But it was not always the case. read more »

Sexual dysfunction common in positive gay men

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 5 June 2009
Gay and bisexual men

Recent research has found that almost half the gay men with HIV in Australia report having multiple sexual problems. These range from difficulty getting an erection and ejaculating through to a loss of libido and performance anxiety. read more »

HIV and depression

Story • Jill Sergeant • 7 May 2009

The National Centre in HIV Social Research (NCHSRNational Centre in HIV Social Research. Located at the University of NSW in Sydney, NCHSR conducts research which describes and analyses the social understandings, meanings and practices of peoples, institutions and communities in relation to HIV, Hepatitis C and other communicable diseases.) recently released a new report on a three year project which investigated depression among men attending high HIV caseload general practice clinics. read more »

Spreading the word

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 13 March 2009

HIV prevention campaigns target gay men in serodiscordant relationships and young heterosexual travellers. read more »

ASHM 2008: HIV seroconversions in older gay men

Positive Living article • Brent Beadle • 25 November 2008

The UK’s InSIGHT studyA clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. trialA clinical trial is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase I tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase II expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase III expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IV takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase IA clinical trial designed to establish whether an experimental drug is safe for humans to take. Phase I studies determine the metabolism and pharmacologic actions of drugs in humans, the side effects associated with increasing doses, and look for early evidence of effectiveness; these studies may include either people with HIV, HIV-negative volunteers, or both tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase IIA smaller clinical trial designed to establish whether a drug is effective. Phase II studies are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug for a particular indication or indications in patients with the disease or condition under study and to determine the common short-term side effects and risks. If there is evidence that the drug is effective, a Phase III study is undertaken, with a larger number of participaants, to confirm this. expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase IIIA large clinical trial designed to establish whether a drug is effective and safe enough for widespread use. Phase III studies include expanded controlled and uncontrolled trials after preliminary evidence suggesting effectiveness of the drug has been obtained, and are intended to gather additional information to evaluate the overall benefit-risk relationship of the drug and provide and adequate basis for physician labeling. expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IVPost-marketing studies to delineate additional information including the drug's risks, benefits, and optimal use. takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. initially investigated why men between the ages of 35-44 years accounted for over a third of all new diagnoses of HIV in 2006 produced findings about HIV seroconversion among older gay men and why they had practised unprotected anal intercourse. read more »

Online survey on internet use and men's social and sexual lives

Positive Living article • admin • 26 June 2008
Gay and bisexual men

A new survey for gay, bisexual or same-sex- attracted men is now underway and inviting participants to join the online studyA clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. trialA clinical trial is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase I tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase II expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase III expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IV takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase IA clinical trial designed to establish whether an experimental drug is safe for humans to take. Phase I studies determine the metabolism and pharmacologic actions of drugs in humans, the side effects associated with increasing doses, and look for early evidence of effectiveness; these studies may include either people with HIV, HIV-negative volunteers, or both tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase IIA smaller clinical trial designed to establish whether a drug is effective. Phase II studies are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug for a particular indication or indications in patients with the disease or condition under study and to determine the common short-term side effects and risks. If there is evidence that the drug is effective, a Phase III study is undertaken, with a larger number of participaants, to confirm this. expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase IIIA large clinical trial designed to establish whether a drug is effective and safe enough for widespread use. Phase III studies include expanded controlled and uncontrolled trials after preliminary evidence suggesting effectiveness of the drug has been obtained, and are intended to gather additional information to evaluate the overall benefit-risk relationship of the drug and provide and adequate basis for physician labeling. expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IVPost-marketing studies to delineate additional information including the drug's risks, benefits, and optimal use. takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. and provide information which is investigating how internet use relates to different aspects of men's social and sexual lives. read more »

Unprotected sex: who's responsible?

Positive Living article • David Menadue • 26 June 2008

Is it acceptable to say that, in some situations, it is OK to look after your own interests when it comes to sex? read more »

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HIV Clinical Trials update