Politics, pop culture and entertainment news of interest to the LGBTQ community
(illustration of HIV cells)Disappointing news as the only HIV vaccine in late-stage testing was stopped early after it failed to prevent HIV in men who have sex with men and transgender people in the Americas and Europe. Continue reading “The Only HIV Vaccine In Late-Stage Trial Fails”
(image via Depositphotos)While the coronavirus has hogged the spotlight for nearly three years, World AIDS Day is still recognized every year on December 1. Because it’s important to remember this 40-year health threat is still with us.
Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day. Continue reading “World AIDS Day 2022 – Rock The Ribbon”
Legal eagle Chris Geidner reports that US District Judge Reed O’Connor in Texas has ruled that requiring employers to provide coverage for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) drugs which prevents the transmission of HIV, violates the religious rights of employers under the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). Continue reading “Judge: Requiring Employers To Provide Coverage For PrEP Violates Religious Rights”
Dr. Anthony Fauci (photo: White House)In a recent interview with Politico, Dr. Anthony Fauci shared that he plans to retire as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health by the end of President Joe Biden’s current term. Continue reading “Dr. Anthony Fauci Announces Plans To Retire”
(image via Depositphotos)An HIV patient appears to be cured of HIV after receiving a new cutting-edge treatment. Continue reading “HIV Patient Appears Cured After Cutting-Edge Treatment”
The current restrictions on gay and bisexual men wanting to roll up their sleeves and donate blood are back in the headlines this week amid reports of one of the worst blood crises in recent history. Continue reading “FDA Urged To Drop Restrictions On Gay Blood Donations”
In a proclamation recognizing December 1 as World AIDS Day, President Joe Biden acknowledges the disproportionate impact the disease has on communities of color, adolescent girls and young women, and the LGBTQI+ community. Continue reading “Biden’s World AIDS Day Proclamation Includes LGBTQ+ Community”
In this week’s episode of The Randy Report podcast:
• Bryan Ruby became the first active professional baseball player to come out as gay Continue reading “Podcast: Pro Baseball’s 1st Out Active Player, Buttigiegs Become Dads & More”
Forty years ago today, the New York Times published its first report on a “rare cancer seen in 41 homosexuals” – the first mention of what would become the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
According to the author of the piece, Lawrence K. Altman, “gay” wasn’t yet approved by the Times‘ style manual.
The cancer was Kaposi’s sarcoma, and until then it had seldom been seen in otherwise healthy young men.
We all know what happened next…
Drag diva Bianca Del Rio (screen capture)British adult film star Kayden Gray recently launched a humorous, thought-provoking adult film, U Equals Fucking U.
The film aims to destigmatize HIV and support public health’s messaging of Undetectable Equals Untransmittable (U=U) – the concept that people living with HIV who achieve an undetectable viral load cannot sexually transmit the virus to others.
The movie co-stars adult film actor Bishop Black, and features comedian/Ru Paul’s Drag Race fan favorite Bianca Del Rio, who appears throughout the film with an upbeat, light-hearted approach to doling out the facts about HIV and U=U.
L-R Bishop Black and Kayden Gray in ‘U Equals Fucking U’“A lot of people are behind U=U in theory,” says Kayden Gray in describing the film. “But when it comes to practice, people tip-toe around the idea and aren’t comfortable when it comes down to it.”
Jose Ramos, the founder of Impulse Group, doubles down against HIV-positive odiums stating that “having condomless sex while someone is undetectable eliminates the risk to being exposed to HIV.”
Ramos founded Impulse Group in Los Angeles in 2009 with the mission to help gay men make healthy lifestyle choices. What started in the city of West Hollywood as a local grassroots social movement has now become the only international volunteer gay group in the world, with 25 Impulse Chapters in 12 countries.
I can’t post the the adult film here, but for those interested click here to see Part One (available now), and Part Two available on February 17.
I can share with you Del Rio’s over-the-top and fun contribution to the film in this short clip “Bianca Del Rio spills the tea on HIV.”