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2011-01-26T08:21:00.001-08:00

Question of the Day: When you find a boyfriend, can you stop using condoms?

Why I Get Tested?

2010-05-10T11:43:00.000-07:00

Hey folks....below is a posting from our new volunteer - outreach work, John. He kicks off a new campaign called "Why I Get Tested". We are hoping that each day, we will have a new story of why we get tested for HIV. Come back here and check out our blog.

Sal

Why I Get Tested.

2010-05-10T11:22:00.000-07:00

Here's a newbie's story! I always assumed that getting tested for HIV was a long drawn out process, an awkward experience that would warrant disgusted facial expressions from nurses and worry and uncertainty from my friends.However these days, getting tested is about as painful as getting a flu shot! And with the technology available today, finding out your result's takes as quick as 10 minutes. Regardless of your results, you can bet there are many support groups available! So make yourself a priority and get tested. Remember you have one mind, one body, and one life protect and love yourself.

Home HIV testing?

2010-03-03T10:47:00.001-08:00

We often get folks calling in to ask about home HIV testing versus coming into our office. Here is a great article I found that talks about the cons of getting a home test.

French HIV Prevention Ad

2010-01-22T06:38:00.000-08:00

Classic!!!

It's been a long time

2010-01-22T06:35:00.001-08:00

Well..its been a long time...hope to get this blog started up again! Here is one in the meantime!

CVS Locking Up condoms...

2009-06-23T13:43:00.000-07:00

I could understand they don't want folks to steal them but why do this only in communitites of color? Nice way to be health concious. I found this article today..

Here is a teaser from POZ blog..

Change to Win, a coalition of labor unions, believes that CVS’s practice of locking up condoms at certain stores—commonly in communities of color—creates a barrier to access for young people who are less likely to ask a store associate for them, The Tennessean reports. The group asserts that CVS’s anti-theft policy puts those communities at risk for unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

IRMA

2009-06-18T12:10:00.000-07:00

Take a look at this website and article by IRMA. If your interested in learning about microbicides in HIV prevention.

Gay Marriage Ban related to HIV rate increase?

2009-06-17T10:37:00.000-07:00

I saw this study and thought I would pass it along. I always wondered if there was a correlation between gay relationships not being legitimized and the increase of risky behavior. What do you think? Here is an excerpt from the study.

New Study Links Gay Marriage Bans to Rise in HIV Rate

A new study by economists at Atlanta's Emory University indicates that same-sex marriage bans may be tied to a rise in HIV infections. The study used data from the General Social Survey (GSS), which has tracked the attitudes of Americans during the past four decades. The economists, Hugo Mialon and Andrew Francis, calculated that a rise in tolerance from the 1970s to the 1990s reduced HIV cases by one per 100,000 people, and that laws against same-sex marriage boosted cases by 4 per 100,000.

Are you telling the truth, of what you can't see from within your self?

2009-04-16T12:03:00.000-07:00

When most people think about status, it's usually are you single, married,engaged etc. What if we were to answer that same question with either( I'm Negative or Positive). Truth is you are already one of them. The Key question do you know what you are? Getting a HIV Test Will only conform what you are on the inside. Because when we don't see things we don't know. The HIV test doesn't change or status, But the best thing is now you know! And its what you do with the result. Whether you are Negative or Positive, how to be more healthy with both. And know when someone ask ( hey whats your status?) Can you be true to your self and bear the accusation of betrayal,and not betray your own true states, even if that disappoint another to be true to your self?

Anthony

(Anthony is an awesome tester and counselor here at CAMP Rehoboth!!!!!)

To Tell or Not To Tell

2009-04-14T08:25:00.000-07:00

I found this article in a Canadian website. Here is an excerpt and then the link to read the rest of the story. IT makes an interesing case about disclosure of HIV status.

Knowingly exposing others to HIV ought to be a serious crime.

Or should it?

That is the furious argument unleashed by the trial of Johnson Aziga, a man who was found guilty last week of first-degree murder. The murder weapon was unsafe sex. The thoroughly repugnant Mr. Aziga was found to have infected seven women with HIV, even though he knew he was infected, and even though he knew he had a legal obligation to inform his sex partners. Two of his victims died of AIDS-related cancers.

Peter Troyer, a 37-year-old Toronto man who is himself HIV-positive, has no doubt about where he stands. “It is absolutely reasonable to have a law,” he says. “He exposed people to a potentially dangerous virus without their consent. I wouldn't want to live in a society that didn't punish this behaviour at the highest level.”

Read the rest here.

Prevention for HIV serodiscordant couples..

2009-04-12T05:03:00.000-07:00

I found this article the other day. I thought it gave an interesting insight into HIV prevention for HIV serodiscordant couples.

Promoting 100% condom use may not be the most appropriate HIV prevention strategy for serodiscordant couples, according to research presented to the Fifteenth Conference of the British HIV Association. However, researchers found that there was little awareness or use of other methods of HIV prevention, such as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) or the impact of viral load on infectiousness.

Investigators recruited 38 serodiscordant couples (where one partner is HIV-positive, the other HIV-negative) to a prospective study lasting three years. Most (30) of the couples were gay men. To be included in the study the couples had to have been in their relationship for at least two years and to have engaged in at least 20 separate episodes of unprotected anal or vaginal sex in the previous twelve months.

The couples were interviewed about their understanding of issues such as PEP, viral load and infectiousness, and the reasons why they engaged in unprotected sex. The investigators hypothesised that there were likely to be three factors underlying unprotected sex in relationships: failure to understand the mechanisms of HIV transmission; emotional reasons; and a low concern about the consequences of HIV transmission.

There was a very low awareness of the availability of PEP, a short course of antiretroviral treatment that is taken after exposure to HIV to prevent infection. Only 16% of HIV-negative partners and 32% of HIV-positive partners were aware of its availability. Only one couple reported ever having used PEP. One HIV-positive woman was circumspect about the value of PEP, telling the investigators that the frequency with which she and her partner engaged in unprotected sex would mean that “he’d need it every week.”

Nor was there an understanding of the impact of viral load on infectiousness.

Nevertheless, the couples did report the use of some strategies to try and reduce the risk of HIV transmission. In gay couples, this included the HIV-negative partner being insertive, and most HIV-positive men reported never ejaculating inside their partner when having unprotected sex.

But unproved risk reduction strategies were also being used; one man expressed the belief that masturbation a couple of days before unprotected intercourse cleared infectious HIV from semen; another individual told the investigators that he thought that transmission was not possible if he had a high CD4 cell count.

Generally, the HIV-positive partner was more concerned about the risk of transmission than the HIV-negative one. Emotional reasons were a key factor, with individuals reporting that intimacy and trust were important reasons for unprotected sex. However, one African woman said that in her relationship and culture it was not possible for a woman to refuse sex to her husband.

Dislike of condoms was another widely reported reason for unprotected sex. Others said that condoms caused erectile dysfunction or were a reminder that HIV was present in the relationship. However, some couples told the investigators that they had never discussed the reasons for not using condoms.

HIV-negative rather than HIV-positive partners were generally more sanguine about the consequences of HIV transmission occurring. One HIV-negative man said that, “Sooner or later there is going to be a cure”. Nor, according to the HIV-negative study participants, would there be blame if transmission occurred. One HIV-negative man told the researchers, “It would upset him more than me,” while his partner said, “If he becomes positive because of me, I don’t know how I’d deal with it”.

The investigators also found evidence that HIV-negative partners felt isolated and were unsure where they could discuss their experiences with individuals in a similar situation.

“A blanket healthcare message of safe sex seems inappropriate for all HIV serodiscordant couples,” comment the investigators, “provision of an open discussion of risk and identification of barriers to condom use may be more meaningful than promoting a 100% condom approach.” The investigators suggest that the statement by leading Swiss HIV doctors in early 2008 that, in certain circumstances, individuals taking antiretroviral therapy with an undetectable blood viral load were not infectious to their sexual partners offered one possible approach.

However, separate research presented to the conference by investigators from the sperm washing unit at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, showed that 10% of men with an undetectable blood viral load had “significant” viral load in their semen. When challenged to define significant, the presenting investigators said that this meant that HIV could be detected, but were unable to say if potentially infectious quantities of the virus were present.

Reference
Fox J et al. Understanding of HIV-risk behaviour in HIV-serodiscordant couples – a novel approach. Fifteenth Annual Conference of the British HIV Association, abstract P149, Liverpool, 2009.

Nicopoullous JDM et al. A decade of the sperm-washing progam: the effect of HIV on semen parameters and viral load? Fifteenth Annual Conference of the British HIV Association, abstract o8, Liverpool, 2009.

Staying Negative

2009-04-01T07:23:00.000-07:00

Taking an HIV test and finding out that you don’t have HIV can make you feel invincible, but that feeling can spell trouble.

Guys who come into CAMP to be tested for HIV spend a lot of time worrying about a positive test result, so if you test negative it can be a big relief. This is natural and hopefully it will make you want to avoid risks in the future so you don’t have to worry again.

However some guys will think that since they didn't catch HIV the last time they won’t catch it the next time either and will put themselves at risk again and worry about it less. The truth is, if you’ve taken the risks in the past and then tested negative, you’ve been lucky. That luck can run out at any time.

Studies show that guys who get a few negative tests often go on to take more risks in the future. Taking these risks means they have a high chance of catching HIV. So, what’s going on? Some men use the negative result as a chance to stay safer. Others think that the negative result gives you the go ahead to carry on taking risks without the worry,

Testing for HIV isn’t enough to stay negative; avoiding risky sex is something you should avoid. Gay men expect that testing negative will resolve all their issues; this is not the case. HIV tests can tell you what your HIV status is now. It can’t predict what it will be in the future, especially if you are taking risks. Some men test HIV negative because they always stick to safer sex – but other guys test negative after taking risks that could have caused them to catch HIV. That's there the confusion begins.

There are a lot of incorrect beliefs out there. Some men who remain HIV negative after unsafe sex believe that there is something unique about them that make it unlikely they'll get HIV. Some men feel charmed when they get several negative results, believe it's a sign that they cannot become infected.

So, if you haven’t yet got HIV from the sex you’re having, should you assume it’s safe or that you won’t ever get HIV? The short answer is no. Some people get infected with HIV the first time they have unsafe sex and some guys get HIV after a few times. Not every unprotected boink automatically gives you HIV but it doesn't make you feel safe. If you have sex with a guy who has HIV without using condoms, you might not get infected that time. However, there is no guarantee that you won’t get infected if you did exactly the same thing again.

Leaving your HIV status to luck makes it likely you’ll catch HIV, but you can make decisions to stay uninfected by choosing safer sex. Using a condom every time is the most effective way to avoid HIV. Not catching HIV is down to you and decisions that you make every time you have sex.

VAMPIRE AND AIDS

2009-03-02T14:23:00.001-08:00

I saw this ad for HIV prevention..pretty clever and very hot!

Durex AD - YOu won't see this on TV In America!

2009-02-09T16:24:00.000-08:00

I am always amazed how mature Europeans, well not only Europeans but lot of other countries are when it comes to sex! I got this ad from a really cool cat. Check out his blog here

REALLY? Online Dating May Not Increase STI rates!

2009-02-06T06:50:00.001-08:00

Another article from AIDS MAP. Many of the guys in this area use the computer to find dates and hook up buds. Some of them have seen the articles that suggest if they use the internet to hook up, they are in danger of getting some nasty STI's (Sexually Transmitted Infections). Here is a study that contradicts the claim from nasty sex neg folks..

Finding sex through the internet does not increase the risk of catching the two most common sexually transmitted infections, a US survey published in Sexually Transmitted Infections has found. Indeed in the case of heterosexual men, meeting partners through the internet was associated with a lower risk of sexually transmitted infections compared with other ways of meeting.

Gay men who met someone through the internet in the last four months were slightly more likely, and women slightly less likely, to be diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection, bit in neither case were these figures statistically significant and could have been a chance finding. However heterosexual men who had had at least one internet date in the last four months were around 60% less likely to have a sexually transmitted infection than men who hadn’t, and this was statistically significant.

The study authors note that some other surveys have found that internet dating is strongly associated with the risk of sexually transmitted infections and HIV. However, they say, many surveys measured risk behaviour such as non-use of condoms rather than incidence of sexually transmitted infections. They also compared dissimilar populations: if people who make contact through the internet are generally more interested in sex and have more partners, then all surveys are doing is comparing rates of sexually transmitted infections between people who have a lot of sex and people who have less, rather than finding a specific risk associated with online contacts.

The study involved nearly 15,000 patients who had attended a sexually transmitted infections clinic in Denver, Colorado for checkups and who could therefore be assumed to be roughly similar in sexual behaviour and demographics. It then compared internet dating rates between the 2800 patients (nearly one in five) who were diagnosed with gonorrhoea or chlamydia, and the remainder who were not.

It asked patients whether they had had sex with someone met through the internet in the last four months, in the last year, more than a year ago, or never and also related sexually transmitted infections and internet-dating rates to patients’ gender, ethnicity, sexuality, age, HIV status, and number of partners.

Internet dating was more common in gay men than heterosexuals: nearly a quarter of gay men (23%) had had an internet meet in the last four months compared with 3% of heterosexual men and 2% of women. But since only one in ten of the clinic population was a gay man, nearly as many heterosexuals (290) as gay men (339) had had a recent internet meet.

Internet dating was, as predicted, associated with having more partners. A cross all sexual categories, internet daters were 21-23% more likely to have had more than one partner in the last four months than non-users.

Internet users were younger on average, and among heterosexuals, though not gay men, there was an interesting association with ethnicity: women internet daters were significantly more likely to be white and straight male daters significantly more likely to be black.

Straight men were slightly more likely to be diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection than women or gay men; men were more likely to have gonorrhoea and women more likely to have chlamydia.

Amongst gay men, internet users were 50% more likely to have HIV; the HIV rate among internet users was 12% compared to 8% for non-users. There were only four cases of HIV among heterosexuals diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infections (three women, one man); rates in people without a sexually transmitted infections aren’t know because many straight patients had not been tested for HIV.

As detailed above, gay men who had had an internet date in the last four months were 12% more likely to have a sexually transmitted infections, women 29% less likely, and straight men 42% less likely, with the figure reaching statistical significance in straight men.

When the figures were adjusted for partner numbers and ethnicity, straight men who had internet dates were still a third less likely to have a sexually transmitted infections than internet non-daters; in other words the fact that internet daters had more partners did not make a difference, and there appears to be a genuine association between internet dating and a somewhat lower risk of sexually transmitted infections.

The authors point out that they only asked a single question about internet dating. Their study therefore makes no distinction between gay ‘party boys’ and straight ‘swingers’ who may use the internet for multiple sex contacts, and people who are seeking longer term relationships that way.

Distinguishing these two populations might have found widely different sexually transmitted infections rates and risks associated with internet contact.
However the fact that sexually transmitted infection risk was somewhat lower in heterosexuals may show that the internet is allowing some safer sex negotiations, the add.

Reference

Al-Tayyib AA et al. Finding sex partners on the internet: what is the risk for sexually transmitted infections? Sex Transm Infec (online publication), 19 December 2008. doi:10.1136/sti.2008.032631

Does Having Oral Sex Lead To Immunity Against HIV?

2009-02-04T07:38:00.000-08:00

I found this great article on aidsmap today. I have written before that we get lots of questions about HIV transmission and oral sex. Read it and let me know what you think.

Some HIV-negative men in long term relationships with HIV-positive men have an antibody response in saliva which may inhibit HIV infection, report Swedish researchers in an article published online ahead of print in AIDS. This is the first time that such a response has been described in saliva, and may help explain why infection through oral sex is somewhat infrequently reported even in serodiscordant couples.

While it is well established that while HIV infection during fellatio and other types of oral sex can and does happen, the number of infections that can be attributed to oral sex is relatively small in comparison with the number of times that unprotected oral sex is practiced. One reason is that saliva contains enzymes which partially inhibit HIV infection.

Moreover, a number of studies, most famously among commercial sex workers in Kenya, have identified individuals who have had unprotected vaginal sex on many occasions and are likely to have been repeatedly exposed to HIV, but who have not been infected. It is thought that, through repeated exposure, these individuals have acquired a stronger immune response which makes HIV infection less likely. Different researchers have investigated a number of different markers of this immune response, including the presence of specific antibodies (IgA1) which may neutralise HIV, and HIV-specific CD4 cell responses.

Klara Hasselrot and colleagues from the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm wished to investigate whether in long term relationships where one partner has HIV, the HIV-negative partner develops IgA1 antibodies in saliva that would help inhibit HIV infection during oral sex.

They recruited 25 HIV-negative men who were in a relationship of at least six months duration with an HIV-positive man. In addition, 22 HIV-negative men who were not in a serodiscordant relationship were recruited at a blood donor clinic to act as controls.

Klara Hasselrot told aidsmap.com that the study participants’ questionnaires showed that 24 of the 25 men had performed unprotected receptive oral sex in the previous six months. For 21 men, this was with their HIV-positive partner, but for three men it was with casual partners of unknown HIV status. Just three men also reported unprotected receptive anal intercourse.

Moreover, analysis of the medical records of the HIV-positive partners showed that whilst most were on treatment at the time of the study, only two had been on antiretroviral treatment with undetectable viral loads for the entire length of their relationship. The researchers judge that this means that, with two exceptions, all HIV-negative partners have probably been exposed to HIV at some point.

2009-02-03T09:03:00.000-08:00

STDS on the RISE

2009-01-13T13:05:00.000-08:00

One of the things that I tell all the folks who come in for HIV Testing is to get tested for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDS). You should incorporate STD testing as part of a sexual health check-up once a year. I know that when I get my annual physical, I also get an annual sexual health check-up. There are some STDS out there that may not show any outward symptoms.

I found this article today. This is just the first paragraph but the article goes on to say that syphilis is rearing its ugly head again. Take a moment and read the article. Then ask yourself when was the last time you had a sexual health check-up?

"(Atlanta, Georgia) Sexually spread diseases - for years on the decline - are on the rise, with reported chlamydia cases setting a record, government health officials said Tuesday".

More proof abstinence Only DOESNT work...

2009-01-09T10:39:00.000-08:00

I found this article the other day. I like the discussion of abstinence only versus teaching folks healthy sexuality. What do you think?

Read this article..it shows the abstinence education does not work!

Another Reason Why I Won't Live in Africa!

2009-01-08T07:06:00.000-08:00

Seriously, if you do HIV prevention work in African for the Gay/BI community - you could be sentenced for membership in a criminal organization.

Read Here

HIV Prevention for Pigs

2009-01-01T09:43:00.000-08:00

Happy 2009!

I wish all of you a happy and luck filled year!

One of my favorite things to do is travel. When I am in a new country, I always try to find out what other HIV campaigns look like. I haven't visited Austraila but I have found this awesome campaign they have for guys who are into all things pigish. I am glad someone is addressing this group of guys! I have been to some clubs and parties where alot of "pig" play is happening and some guys are not being safe. Here is an article I read on online (via the Body).

Beware of homos, witches and Porn in Uganda

2008-12-30T11:51:00.000-08:00

I ran across this article today on the Rectal Microbicides Advocacy Site. I know our system is not the best at times but at least we are not living in Uganda. Here is a bit of the article followed by a link to the rest.

"UGANDA deserves a social audit for the year 2008. For the first time in her history, the ugly side of human behaviour reared its ugly face on the conscience of Ugandans as never before. Attempts to dress this ugly face in popular catch phrases such as human rights and freedom were made by advocates of immorality with some degree of success.

Promoters of homosexuality, pornography and witchcraft, etc. were on the offensive seeking to market their philosophies contrary to tenets of Uganda's laws as well as nature. The venom of embezzlement, poor time management and drug abuse, too, had their toll on public service.

In the case of homosexuality, some nations went into an overdrive. They drafted a resolution for presentation to the United Nations which would "compel" other nations to legalise, in effect, anal sex, in the case of men, as an alternative to heterosexual sex. This is an unprecedented classic case of abuse by these nations which are seeking to use their weight and advantage to impose their tastes and preferences upon the rest of the world. One wonders what divine right they have to do that!"

Read the Rest of the article here

Young Adults Posting More Nude Pics on the Internet

2008-12-27T11:51:00.000-08:00

I came across this article from the AP about how young men and women are posting more explicit pics online. It's pretty interesting and I wanted to share it with you.

A new survey by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy has found that 22% of teen girls have posted nude or semi-nude pictures online. Most important findings from the survey are below.

Survey Findings:(Full survey summary is here).

One in five teen girls (22%)—and 11% of teen girls ages 13-16 years old—say they have electronically sent, or posted online, nude or semi-nude images of themselves.

One-third (33%) of teen boys and one-quarter (25%) of teen girls say they have had nude/semi-nude images—originally meant to be private—shared with them.

The survey of 1,280 teens and young adults indicates that 15% of teens who have sent sexually suggestive content such as text messages, email, photographs or video say they have done so with someone they only know online.

Teen girls are not the only ones sharing sexually explicit content. Almost one in five teen boys (18%) say they have sent or posted nude/semi nude images of themselves. One-third (33%) of young adults—36% of women and 31% of men ages 20-26—say they have sent or posted such images.

What teens and young adults are doing electronically seems to have an effect on what they do in real life: Nearly one-quarter of teens (22%) admit that technology makes them personally more forward and aggressive. More than one-third of teens (38%) say exchanging sexy content makes dating or hooking up with others more likely and nearly one-third of teens (29%) believe those exchanging sexy content are “expected” to date or hook up.

Sending sexually suggestive messages is even more prevalent than sending nude/semi-nude images. Nearly half of young people (49% total, 39% of teens, 59% of young adults) have sent sexually suggestive text messages or email messages to someone.
Even more have received sexually suggestive messages: 48% of teens and 64% of young adults (56% total). Fully one-third of young teen girls (ages 13-16) have received sexually suggestive messages.

Teen girls who have sent or posted sexually suggestive content provide a number of reasons why: Two-thirds (66%) say they did so to be “fun or flirtatious,” half (52%) did so as a “sexy present” for their boyfriend, and 40% as a “joke.”

Even though nearly three-quarters of young people (73% total, 75% of teens, 71% of young adults) say that sending sexually suggestive content “can have serious negative consequences,” nearly one-quarter (22% total, 19% of teens and 26% of young adults) say sending sexually suggestive content is “no big deal.”

For effects of this sexualization, especially on girls, please see the APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls: http://www.apa.org/pi/wpo/sexualizationsum.html

On the 9th Day - I got some.....

2008-12-20T05:22:00.000-08:00

I have alot more baking to do before the holidays begin! The oven has been on all the time and its quite warm.

This STD likes to grow in warm places that are located in the anus. WHat STD am I?

Send your answer to: SalvatoreSeeley@aol.com and win a prize...

The 8th Day - I found out my true lovr gave to me...

2008-12-19T02:40:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite ornaments to hang are ones that are covered in glitter and shaped are shaped liked a corkscrew/spiral shaped. The really look pretty on the tree.This STD in bacteria form is shaped like a corkscrew. Thought to be an STD that was in the past, this nasty bugger is rearing it's ugly head in the Gay male community.

The most common sites of infection are the penis, anus or vagina. Within 90 days of infection (two to four weeks average) a red, painless ulcer called a chancre appears. The chancre, though usually singular, can be multiple, and will heal even without treatment within three to eight weeks. Even though it heals, you still have this STD. If left untreated, it can lead to all sorts of nasty health issues in the future.

What STD am I talking about?

On the 7th Day...I had to...

2008-12-18T04:05:00.000-08:00

On the 7th day..I had to explain the difference between Hep A and Hep B to Santa? Maybe you can do better than me! Tell Santa what the difference is and he may give you a nice present!

Email me your answer to: SalvatoreSeeley@aol.com

Include your name, address, email and phone number.

On the 6th Day: I contracted ?

2008-12-17T06:29:00.000-08:00

Here is where you get your chance to be creative! Finish this sentence and make it creative, a play on words or something else...but remember it has to have an STD in it. If you are the most creative you will win a fabulous prize..

On the 6th day of STDS - My Sex partner......

Email your entry to:

SalvatoreSeeley@aol.com

Remember to include your name, address, phone and email

On the 5th Day - Instead of cremed horns..I got..

2008-12-15T18:26:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things to eat this time of year of creme horns. You know, the pastry that is shaped like a funnel and has creme in it that drips out when you bite down on it. Well, when you catch this STD, your penis is dripping out a greenish, yellow penile discharge not the white creamy discharge we all lick our lips over.

What STD am I?

Email me your answer: SalvatoreSeeley@aol.com. Remember to include your name, address, email and phone number.

On the 4th Day: Unscramble these STDS...

2008-12-14T18:05:00.000-08:00

Word Jumbles are some of my favorite puzzles...Lets see how you do unscrambling these 4 STDS....BTW, just to make it more complicated..some of the STDS might have two words...Good luck

ASITITAPHE
WSTARNVERLALEE
BSACR
VPH

Remember...send me your answer in an email. Please include your name, address, phone number and email.

On the 3rd Day - Santa Claus Gave to me...

2008-12-14T05:08:00.000-08:00

We have all grown up with the song "I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" but the other night I caught Santa kissing Daddy and now he has something nasty on his lip.

What STD could cause this?

Email your answer to: salvatoreseeley@aol.com

Include your name, address and email and phone number.

On the Second Day - My FB gave to me....

2008-12-13T03:55:00.000-08:00

For many of us, the Holidays are about eating things we normally wouldn't eat. I really enjoy baking cookies or making my own homemade bread. To make bread you need a warm environment so it will rise and bake. There are some nasty STDs out there that also like warm envirnoments so they can grow.

This nasty little bugger likes to grow in warm, moist areas. They can appear either lighter or darker than your skin. The most common places you'll see this critter is in and and around your anus or genital regions. They can also spread to various other parts of your body. This STD can spread between sexual partners during close skin to skin contact. Be wary what you see on the outside is often just the tip of the iceberg with more severe critters lurking on the inside.

You can get these buggers treated but you should get to a doctor to help you decide how best to remove them from your body.

What STD is given to us on our second day?

Email your answer to: SalvatoreSeeley@aol.com

Remember to include your name, address, email and phone number.

On the 1st Day..My partner gave to me..

2008-12-12T04:21:00.000-08:00

We are not talking about those cute little critters that gallop through scenic winter wonderlands. Certainly not talking about something that hangs off of your Christmas tree. Instead, these little crustesceans hang from your body hair or live in your towels and bed sheets. Gifting these little critters is easy - they can be passed around not only by body contact but can live in towels, bed sheets and clothing.

The best thing about these little critters is there a gift that keeps mulitiplying unless you visit your local pharmacy to get something to get RID of them.

Although these critters are a minor STD they are a major nuisance.

Instead of visions of sugar plums dancing in your head, visions of what little creatures are causing you to stir in your dreams?

Email us your answer to salvatoreseeley@aol.com

Please remember to include your name, address, phone # and email. Otherwise you will not be able to win a fabulous prize.

12 Days of STIs (sexually transmitted diseases) contest...

2008-12-11T11:54:00.000-08:00

If 5 golden rings or 10 Lords a leaping are your thing - than get ready for the next 12 days. The CAMPsafe program of CAMP Rehoboth is holding a "12 Days of Sexually Transmitted Disease" contest. Each day you will be able to answer some simple sexual health questions and earn a chance to win a daily prize and be entered into a grand prize drawing at the end of the 12 days!

How do I enter?

All you have to do is go to: www.campsafereho.com. Once you are there...Click on "CAMPsafe connected" and go to our "BLOG". Each day for the next 12 days we will posting a new blog entry that talks about a Sexually Transmitted Infection. At the end of the blog entry there will be a sexual health question. Answer the question (only one entry per person) and send it to campsafe@campsafereho.com with the answer, your name, address, email and phone number and where we can reach you.

How do I win?

We will randomly pick one winning entry from correct entries submitted that day. The winning entry from each day will be entered in a grand prize drawing at the end of the 12 days. Prizes have been donated from local businesses in Rehoboth!

Remember, you need to email us the answer, your name, email address, phone number and mailing address in order to be eligible. Email your entry to: campsafe@campsafereho.com.

For more information about the contest, please contact Salvatore Seeley at 302-227-5620.

One is better than two

2008-10-28T06:26:00.001-07:00

I have often gotten the questions about using two condoms instead of one! You would be suprised how many guys think double the protection - the safer the sex is. My advice is:

Just use one condom at a time.

Two is not better than one. Using two won’t give you twice the protection.

One SIZE does not fit all

2008-10-24T11:04:00.000-07:00

When it comes to condoms, size does matter. Using a condom that is too small for you makes it more likely to break. Using one that is too big for you makes it more likely for it to slip off. Come in CAMP and we will help you find a size that fits.

30 Minute Rule

2008-10-22T07:29:00.000-07:00

Watch that clock.

Just like you, condoms can get worn out after 30 minutes. Condoms are more likely to break the longer you use them, so if your going at it like the energizer bunny, take a breather every 30 minutes and put on a new condom.

Storage is Important - #3

2008-10-10T11:43:00.000-07:00

Store your condoms in a safe place

You wouldn’t keep your ipod in the freezer, so make sure your keep your condoms in a safe place. Condoms need to kept away from damp, hot places and out of direct sunlight. So, a box in your car, on the windowsill or on your radiator is not good. Condoms can go bad just like milk! Check expiration dates on those condoms in your nightstand and in your travel bag.

2nd way to stop a condom from breaking - ROLL IT

2008-10-08T12:20:00.001-07:00

Remember your mother telling you not to stretch out the neck hole in your sweaters? Well, it's the same kind of thing with condoms. Rolling the condom down from the tips puts a lot less stress on the condom, meaning it stays stronger while you’re having sex. Roll the condom all the way down to the base of your penis to limit the chance it will come off during sex.

Ways to Keep condoms from breaking

2008-10-07T11:34:00.000-07:00

We get calls in from guys who talk about their condoms breaking. Over the next few days we will discuss ways in which you could keep your condoms from breaking!

The first way to keep your condom from breaking is:

USE THE RIGHT LUBE (and lots of it!)

You should use only water-based or silicon based lubes. Oil based lubes will eat at the condom and increase your chances of a broken condom! There has been some research done that shows guys who use lots of lube tend to reduce their chances of causing any friction on the anus or penis. No matter how much we like spit, it can dry out pretty quick!

Fall

2008-09-25T11:36:00.000-07:00

Fall is here in Rehoboth. We are getting ready for a bit of a nor'easter. Remember to wear yoru raincoat!

S

Beach Essentials

2008-08-26T15:08:00.001-07:00

Greg and David sell some of the hottest bathing suits in town! They have been a great support to our programs! I bought this really cool suit from them...you might catch me on the beach wearing it!

Blue Moon

2008-08-26T15:06:00.000-07:00

Classic Bar. One of our favorite places to do outreach.

Lambda Rising

2008-08-26T15:05:00.001-07:00

I send many men and women over to this bookstore to find books on safer sex, HIV/AIDS and mental health issues.

Aqua

2008-08-26T15:03:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite places in town. Great outdoor deck and the guys who run it are very supportive of our programs!

Baltimore Avenue...

2008-08-26T15:00:00.001-07:00

Here is Baltimore Ave. I took some pictures of some of the places that support the CAMPsafe program.

2008-08-24T07:43:00.000-07:00

Sunrise AM...

2008-08-23T10:14:00.001-07:00

Men and Their Balls

2008-08-22T12:41:00.000-07:00

Pole Vaulting! BOING!

2008-08-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

I think one of the most amazing Olympic sports is pole vaulting. Have you ever watched it? It is amazing that a man or woman who is so well built and so perfectly symmetrical is able to propel himself thru the air on such a thin, skinny little pole! I mean, you see them running with that thing in their hands, they stick it in a little socket in the sand and BOING, and they go flying thru the air into this sand pit. I am not sure what amazes me the most about it but it just does. Sometimes I think it may be the trust involved in doing such a thing. I am sure a great deal of it is training and lots of practice but think about the trust that must be involved as well. That pole has to work! Can you imagine what would happen if it didn’t? Big ouch! What if that thing broke at just the wrong moment? I hate to think of the results.

Other than what I have seen on the TV about these pole vaulters, I really know very little about them. From the vast information I know about sports, there are a few things about them that I can bet on. First, I can bet that these guys take a lot of responsibility for their own safety. They practice, practice, practice and practice some more. They are probably acutely observant and very in touch with their surroundings. Think about it. If they are running down this track and sticking that pole in that socket and propelling themselves thru the air, you know they have to know when they are at precisely the right speed and exactly where that socket is and they have to know exactly how to position themselves to get the maximum amount of thrust! And then, you know they treat that pole with a whole lot of respect…their life as an athlete and their success depends on how they treat and respect that pole!

Gay men can learn a whole lot from these guys. Seriously, take responsibility for yourself and be sure you keep your self in the best operating condition and safe as well! Practice, practice, practice and practice some more! You know, practice makes perfect especially when you are pole vaulting. Be observant and keep in touch with your surroundings. A whole lot of things can happen to you and your pole if you aren’t observant and careful. There can be some pretty ugly things in those sand pits! But before you start practicing your position and your thrust remember one thing! the most obvious thing we can learn from them is to take care of our pole! I won’t even let any of my sex partners get near my sandpit without having their poles covered. Keep your pole covered when it is in use! Be safe before you go BOING! Your life can depend on it.

My main task here is to do what is necessary to help you stay safe from HIV infection. I try pretty hard at this task. Realize that HIV isn’t the only thing out there threatening your safety and health. It is there and it is real. Some people think that we sugar coat things too much and should be more direct. I wish we could. But you have to consider what we are up against. We have to make a whole lot of folks happy and offend very few. It is difficult. If our sugar coating makes it difficult to understand what it takes to be safe then take responsibility for yourself and find out. Come and ask what you need to know to be safe.

Swimming...

2008-08-13T12:05:00.000-07:00

We all know how gay guys like to play games – in and out of the bedroom. I thought of this as I was watching the swimming events of the Olympics last night on TV. What sport is truly queer but sychronized swimming! Some of you are going to say where is synchronized swimming in the Olympics and some may even say what does it have to do with HIV prevention? Silly boys! Play along with me!

The first thing I love about synchronized swimming is that they all wear their latex all of the time. You know how I love that latex and I am not talking about my latex shorts. I would love it if everybody wore their latex condoms every time they get in the pool….so to speak. Get them and use them. Don’t get in the pool without them.

The second thing I love about the synchronized swimmers is that they are all on the same page with what they do. I would not like for everybody in this community to do the all the same things or wear all the same clothes…..you all know me better than that. I do however want everybody on to wear their condoms, find out what safe sex is and then do it ALL THE TIME!

The most impressive thing about these folks is the practice and coordination that they must do. This is probably one of the things we can learn most from. We all need to practice safe sex, practice it again and again until it seems so natural for us. Haven’t you ever been amazed at how those girls seem so natural at what they do? Get that way with safe sex. Make it a natural for yourself. I have a buddy who is always prepared and he can slip a condom on correctly before you can say ahhh! He knows if it slips off or breaks…..they are a natural for him. Practice till they are a natural for you!

These girls also need a lot of behind the scenes help too. And that is another place you can help even if you aren’t out there in the pool looking for someone to wear your latex with. How can this be? I need help making quality latex swim caps available to those who are in the pool. So if you want to have some fun with latex, I need help on a regular basis wrapping those quality latex caps along with some lube and instructions on their use. We go thru a lot of them every summer and it is a great way to be part of the team!

I want to see you in the winner’s circle this year at the closing ceremonies. The best way to make sure you are there is to practice, practice, practice, be a team player, become proficient in your sport and wear your latex. Remember, I am a team player, and I am on your team. If you have any questions about your sport, safe sex, or latex swim caps, let me know. I am already as close as your computer. I am in the bars…..don’t let your mind go there! I am handing out condoms! Let me help! Go for the gold!

Get Tested

2008-08-12T08:17:00.000-07:00

Summertime brings many beach bums and surf boys to this area. With this influx of people, who isn’t bound to turn their heads and notice some of the “eye candy”. We have all been in the situation where a handsome man or a beautiful woman walks by and catches your eye. You want to talk to him but you think that they are too beautiful to approach. You will probably have a nice little conversation with yourself like you have a hundred times. You will tell yourself “just do it”. And like you have learned a hundred times that unless you “just do it”, you will never know if he is as interested in you as you are him. You will tell yourself: “What have I got to loose?” and of course, a variety of other thoughts run through your mind.

Well, It is that time of year again. It is time to see those beautiful women and men on the beach, in the bars, on the boardwalk and hopefully a little closer to home; like in your arms! It is also that time of year again for something else very special: getting tested for HIV.

One of the biggest problem facing the US now is people who are HIV+ and don't know it – either because they don't get tested regularly or they don't think they are at risk. Then there are those that would rather live in denial or who are just too scared to deal with the realities of being diagnosed with HIV. Many people think they could be HIV+ but have chosen not to test – often making that decision based on incorrect information about HIV, or fear about what happens to you once you test positive. If you have HIV, all the evidence suggests that you are better off knowing it – and the sooner you test, the better. Knowing that you are HIV negative allows you to make informed decisions about the sex you have.

Obviously a negative result offers you no guarantees for the future. So whatever the result of the test, you need to think carefully about the sex that you have and avoid sharing needles and injecting equipment.

Hit the beach this year with a whole lot more than a beautiful body, great tan, and the perfect suit. Hit the beach this year equipped with knowledge. Know your status. Know how to be safe. It is important to know your status and we recommend getting tested regularly. Some people choose monthly, most a little less often. We recommend every six months but make sure you get tested.

So, Just like when you see that beautiful man walk past you, say to yourself, “just do it…what have you got to loose.” Just do it…get tested! What have you got to lose? Nothing! In fact you have a lot of powerful stuff to gain…KNOWLEDGE. And we all know that knowledge is power. Get tested in a safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment. Just do it!

We have a whole lot of other suggestions just like this one that makes being safe sexy, smart and fun, and once you know your status, we can help you practice discussing status with your partners so that both of you can make informed decisions and use that knowledge to make informed decisions about your safety and pleasure.
Come see us. Just do it!

Monday's at the Beach...

2008-08-04T13:57:00.000-07:00

Condom Stuffers Unite..

2008-08-02T14:32:00.000-07:00

Condom Stuffers United!

Better sex

2008-07-31T12:33:00.000-07:00

Better Sex With Sal in Seven Steps

We all know safe sex is fun, but think about all the other great stuff is does for us Here are 10 benefits of safe sex…

1. Sex is a beauty treatment. The hormones released during sex can make your hair shinier and your skin smoother.

2. Sex reduces your chances of suffering dermatitis, skin rashes and blemishes. The sweat produced cleanses the pores and makes your skin glow.

3. Sex can burn up those calories you piled on during that romantic dinner.

4. Sex is a good sport! It stretches and tones up just about every muscle in the body. It’s more fun than jogging, and you don’t need special training.

5. Sex can help with mild depression. It releases endorphins into the blood stream, producing a sense of euphoria and leaving you with a feeling of well being.

6. Sex can unblock a stuffy nose. Sex is a natural antihistamine. It can help combat asthma and hay fever.

7. Sex relieves headaches. A session can release tension that restricts blood vessels in the brain.

STD FRIDAY

2008-07-25T10:49:00.000-07:00

Boys and Men...As you know, Friday is STD Friday. This weeks special is HERPES!

Herpes can be simply passed by touch. It's most passed on by kissing, sucking, having anal sex without condoms, rimming and sharing toys.

A person is most infectious before the blisters appear and later when they are visible.

What do they look like?

They appear as small blisters or sores filled with a clear liquid that turns into a yellow pus! These blisters tingle, itch or sting when they burst. They develop into red ulcers that scab over and hear in a few weeks.

Where can I get them?

Not at your local store but on your mouth, butt or penis.

Curable?

Once you get them, you always have them. There are meds that ease the pain of having them and shorten the time of the attack. However, once you catch it - you always got it.

Your on Vacaition, HIV is NOT!!!

2008-07-24T09:46:00.000-07:00

Your on Vacation, HIV is Not.

“Your on vacation, HIV is not” is the message that the CAMPsafe program is trying to get out during the beach season. CAMPsafe realizes that many men are coming to Rehoboth to escape the doldrums of city living to have some fun at the beach. Our programs are geared towards being a reminder to men to play safe while they are here on holiday. Many of the men we provide services to are making an effort to stick to safer sex but many are escaping “safer sex” realities by losing control and doing things they might not in their own home communities.

Gay men are subject to social pressures to maintain high standards of safer sex practices. Men use condoms because they feel they should, or because in moments of rational reflection it makes sense, and not because ‘safe sex is hot sex’. Some - not all - gay men make a conscious effort most of the time to use condoms, and then at other times give up on restraining themselves, and indulge in what they are meant to be avoiding – having sex without condoms.

Over the past several years, the CAMPsafe program has seen many gay men drink to intoxication, take drugs, or go to a cruisy bar, because they know that it will allow them to move from a state of ‘reality’ to one of ‘escape’ We realize guys are here to have fun and that sex while using drugs or alcohol allows some people to ‘loosen’up more easily and become less inhibited. Here are some of the effects of drugs that guys use while they are here or other places:

Alcohol: Alcohol loosesn inhibitions and clouds judgement. It is also a depressant, which makes you feel like you need to be with someone which in turn increases our desire for sexual contact.

Cocaine/Crack: Crack/cocaine is a stimulant that makes you feel more alert, sexy, confident and sometimes paraniod. Too much confidence can be a dangerous thing especially when your judgement is impaired and you are having sex with multiple partners.

Ecstacy: Ecstacy is a stimulant, but can act like a drug which causes a state of happiness and relaxation. Sensations are enhanced and many people report feeling less inhibited and very sexy with fewer thoughts for caution or concern. Safer sex can take a back seat to an overwhelming sexual drive.

Crystal: People say that this drug can make you feel invincible. It makes you more alert and highly aroused. This leads to a false belief that HIV/AIDS cant touch you.

Poppers: Poppers may make sex more enjoyable but can mask the pain that might be causing tears to your anal linings. Using poppers with Viagra can be very deadly.

These drugs can impair your ability to make good decisions about sex. If you are going to use drugs and have sex, know your limits and try to remember to Play Smart and CAMPsafe. Only you have the power to prevent yourself from becoming infected while you are here in Rehoboth. Remember, while you are on vacaition, HIV is not. Protect yourself, protect your lover and protect your community.

If you are in need of more information or have some questions about safer sex and drug use, please contact staff at (302) 227-5620. Staff is available for free sexual health counseling.

STI of the week

2008-07-18T11:57:00.000-07:00

This week: Gonorrhoea

What is it?

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection you can get in your penis, butt, throat, or eyes.

How do you get it?

You can get it by having anal sex without a condom, rimming, oral sex or by getting an infected guy's cum in your eyes. It's one of the most common STIs.

How do you prevent it?

Using condoms will prevent many cases of Gonorrhoea. If you wanted to further reduce risks, you have to use condoms for oral sex. Many guys have gonorrhoea in their throat and they don't even know it.

How do you know you've got it?

Symptoms will include a white or greenish puss coming out of your penis and a burning sensation when you pee. Infection in your mouth can result in a sore throat and sometimes a cough. Infection up could butt could be noticed by a yellowish puss or fresh blood on your poop or itching and pain when pooping.

How do you treat it?

Get to a doctor or STI clinic. It is completely treatable and curable by antibiotics.

Can I Get HIV from a Shower Curtain?

2008-07-17T13:03:00.000-07:00

Living in this part of Delaware amazes me sometimes. The knowledge of some people regarding HIV is really basic, sad but amusing at the same time. I received this questions just the other day from someone who stopped me on the street.

"Can I get HIV by using a shower curtain as toilet paper"

(I am not kidding! This was a real question!)

My answer to that is "What in Buddhas name are you using a shower curtain for toilet paper! Besides being just disgusting, it's safe to wipe with the material that protects your shower! HIV can only live on the outside the body for a very short time. So, unless someone else wiped a bleeding wound, the inside of their butt or dripping penis on the curtain a few seconds before you used it".

Pierced Tongue and STI's

2008-07-16T15:07:00.000-07:00

I have always been into guys who have body modifications. Tats and Piercings really get me going! At 25 I decided to pierce my nipples and finally last year I was brave enough to get my ears pierced in SF! I started with a 12g and now have moved to a 6! I will probably stop at 6 but you never know. So, with my last entry about two toungues..I wondered about STI's and tongue piercings.

I talked with a piercer in SF. Here is what he said...

Once the piercing is completely healed, it is no longer open. This should protect against HIV and other STI's. However, if the piercing becomes irritated, infected or bleeds...you are at risk for HIV. This, however, would still be low risk.

As far as other STI's, you can still catch them with oral sex whether or not you have a piercing.

Two tounges are better than one..

2008-07-09T07:06:00.000-07:00

I saw him standing in the corner. I knew that I had to get to know him. He had the look that I liked and I could tell was very comfortable in his own skin. My type can vary on the drop of a dime but my favorite is tattooed, pierced and dark Italian men. You could definitely tell that he marched to the beat of his own drum. I think that was part of the attraction.

I finally got up the courage to talk to him. He had been getting into body modifications in his twenties and now had several. After talking for a bit about tattoos and piercings, he showed me a few. He had done some of them on his own and was particularly proud of a few of them he was able to do on his own. The next thing I know he was opening his mouth and sticking his tongue at me! I had to take a second look because I swore he had two tongues instead of one. He said that he had gotten up enough courage a few years ago and decided to split his tongue. It was pretty interesting and you could only imagine how the conversation progressed. He got a call on his cell and had to leave for awhile.

After he left, I began thinking about gay men and our body/self-image issues and how that related to risk taking especially around sex. My new friend was obviously comfortable in his own skin to make such extreme changes to his body. For many of us it takes a long time to get to a point where we can look in the mirror and not start a sentence with 'if only I were slim/muscled/skinny' but the reality is that for many of us that isn't going to happen over night and actually we're not in the right place to make that change Someone who makes us feel sexy in that moment, at the bar, bathouse or online, says something we want to hear – at that point all rational thinking goes out the window and we want to make that connection regardless of how risky is might be.

Getting to a point where you can look in the mirror and just accept what you've got, is a good start to being happier in your skin. Our bodies are awesome machines of love and pleasure. And expressing that should be encouraged, dammit. It is when we don’t respect our bodies that we might take risks might harm these awesome machines of self-expression

Fundamentally it doesn't matter what anyone else says to you about being handsome, sexy or attractive...until you can look in a mirror and see that spark that others find attractive you won't believe it. My two tongued friend taught me this lesson that evening. So start staring at that mirror and find the bit of yourself that you are comfortable with and start to learn to live with your skin and the shape that you are.

Eventually he came back to the place where I had met him and we began chatting up each other again. I won’t go into details (you can use your imagination) but I can tell you this - two tongues are better than one!

2008-07-04T12:34:00.000-07:00

4th of July...

2008-07-04T06:17:00.000-07:00

I am breaking up my butt entries to bring you some shots of the beach! Rehoboth turns into a madhouse on the 4th and remains crazy till the end of the summer. Here are some shots from this am. I will add more during the day..

Happy 4th!

Butt Play...

2008-07-01T12:42:00.000-07:00

If you like using toys during your down time, there are a few things you can do to keep it safe. If your sharing your toys with someone they should be cleaned with HOT soapy water, or a new condom should be used on one everytime you remove it from you and put it in someone else! Make sure your using water based lube or else the condom might break.

Speaking of lube - make sure you use alot of when playing. Lube can make thed entry easier and helps avoid damage to the anal lining which could facilitate HIV or other nasty bugs!

Cleaning out down there....

2008-07-01T11:03:00.000-07:00

Some guys call and ask about cleaning out down there. Some guys like to wash their butts out before sex. It may actually be not a good idea. You don't really need to clean things out if you have a good diet and goto the bathroom before you have anal sex. Still, many guys like to be clean before things happen below the belt.

If you are going to clean out than you have to realize that safer sex is really important. Douching the anus can irritate the lining of your butt making it more vunerable to infections like HIV. Whatever you do - DONT USE SOAP. Soapy water can cause major irritation. Make sure you use water thats at body temperature - you don't want to burn anything.

Tops At Risk...

2008-06-20T12:15:00.001-07:00

HIV can also enter your bloodstream through areas on the end of your penis (you know - where your pee comes out of!) and through the inside of your foreskin. But how does HIV get from inside a butt to your penis?

There are 2 bodily fluids inside your butt that could have HIV. The first one is blood. This could be inside the butt area if there is any damage. The second is anal mucus, the stuff that coats the inside of the anal area so it doesn't dry out. This could contain HIV, even more than blood of cum.

The IN's and OUT's of the MM....

2008-06-19T13:37:00.001-07:00

The inside of your butt can be a very fragile place! Inside is a membrane called a "mucous membrane"( what I call the MM!). Can you say that 50 times fast! MM could be prone to a alot of sexual infections.

The MM is so fragile that anything going IN or OUT can cause some damage, this damage can even be microscopic. This makes it easier for infections like HIV to get into your bloodstream. The lining can also absorb cum and precum into your body like a sponge.

How can you protect the MM? Get your partner to use lots of lube and a condom when you explore the IN's and OUT's of anal pleasure.

Bare Facts...

2008-06-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

You may think you know about your butt - but there is a whole lot more to it than meets the eye! Stay tuned for some info on anal health, HIV, and anal pleasure during the next few entries.

New HIV Rate

2008-06-11T10:12:00.000-07:00

I always wondered how accurate the United States method of getting an acurate count of HIV cases was. Seems as though we have been a bit off. I found this article today which talks about how the CDC has developed new counting methods that show us that our HIV rates are up by 25% than what was thought.

"They were counting the numbers in a way that was leaving out certain segments of the society. So that 40,000 was probably an undercounted number," he said.

Instead of using an extrapolated mathematical model to come up with the rate of new infections, he said, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was now relying on better counting of more groups, households and regions.

"The number went up to about 50,000. That doesn't mean that the actual rate of new infections increased. It means that we are now no longer missing counting the ones that we missed early," Fauci said. "It was always 50,000 a year."

If you have a moment, read it!

Phone Sex...

2008-06-10T15:20:00.000-07:00

One of the things I do here at CAMP is answer questions over the phone about HIV, STDs and other sexual health questions. The nature of what I talk about allows for some crank callers and guys getting off asking me questions about sex. Tonight was no exception!

The guy on the phone was obviously wanking while he was asking me some questions. Towards the middle of the conversation I could tell that his breathing was getting heavy! I couldn't believe that I fell for this again! When he started asking me if he could come to my office for a demonstration, I had to put an end to my role in his exercise of choking the chicken. Even after I asked him if he had any other questions, he proceeded to ask me where to find a threesome in Rehoboth.

Despite knowing the guy was having a good time talking about sex - it shows how isolated and alone guys in this area can be. Better to wank off while talking to me rather than doing something he might regret later.

Later...

Who Still Dies of AIDS, and Why?

2008-06-09T12:16:00.000-07:00

Here is an article that I read the other day. It is pretty interesting as we look at men and women who have been taking meds since HIV was first discovered. Here is an excerpt from "New York" magazine.

"One of the ironies of the success of HAART is that it has fostered the myth that the AIDS epidemic has come to an end, and that living with HIV is only marginally more problematic than living with herpes or genital warts. This is one obvious explanation for why HIV infection is once again on the rise among young men—specifically, MSMs, as they’re now known in the public-health jargon, for men who have sex with men—increasing by a third between 2001 and 2006. Among those 30 and over, the infection rate is still decreasing, notes Thomas Frieden, commissioner of the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, suggesting that the increased rate of infection among men under 30 is due in part to decreased awareness of the disease or the toll it can take."

Counterfeit Condoms

2008-06-03T08:08:00.000-07:00

Hmmm...counterfeit trojan condoms. I have heard of counterfeit sunglasses, purses, shoes...but condoms!! WOW. Here is the link.

Here is a bit from the story...

"The counterfeits, which included millions of the phony Trojans, were sold for the past three years mainly in small discount stores in the area, as well as elsewhere in the country, including Texas and Virginia, according to court documents."

Two condoms better than one?

2008-05-30T13:38:00.000-07:00

I often get some calls about guys wearing two condoms instead of one. The thinking is the more protection the safer. Actually, this could make sex risky! Wearing more than one condom makes them much more likely to break or slip off. You only need one condom at a time and you can use whatever thickness you want. All that information about gay men having to use extra thick condoms is leftover sex negative 1980's nonsense. Use whatever kind you like but make sure its with a lubricant thats condom friendly.

6 Things Never to put up there

2008-05-29T06:08:00.000-07:00

I sometimes get calls from guys who are experimenting with anal play. It suprises me when I hear about the various things that are going up there and disappearing. This causes alot of panic and an trip to the emergency room. Not only can this be embarrassing but it can also be bad for your anal health later on....you can do lots of damage up there..so, five things never to put up your bum...

Bottles
Besides the fact that they are made of glass and glass breaks (ouch), if the bottle is open it can create a vacuum and get stuck up there, potentially causing injury or at least an embarrassing visit to the ER.

Live Animals
One of the misconceptions I grew up with was that gay men put hamsters or gerbils up there bum. This even made it to South Park as an episode! This is not a good idea. Besides the fact that they have claws and teeth, you don't want those PETA protesting outside of your house!

Light Bulbs
Glass and a** don't mix!

Grandma's Broom Handle
They are hard and rigid and the path up isn't a straight line. Figure it out!

Pens and Pencils
Anything pointy and sharp for that matter. Getting impaled by #2 pencil isn't sexy!

If your going to play - remember to use toys that are flexible in nature and have flared edges so they don't get sucked up.

Rules to live by..

2008-05-28T09:14:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my summer rules to live by at the beach....

We will not get a third degree sunburn because we will make sure we wear sunscreen.

We will get enough sleep to make sure that the shade of our umbrella does not slowly creep away from us as we snore.

We will not wake up the next morning wondering if we have the same dark circles, blood-shot eyes, and pounding head of the guy or gal next to us because we will drink only enough … and not too much.

We will not be shy about asking Sal for information about safer sex, if we need it.

We will not be someone else’s summer regret because we will watch out for our community – emotionally and physically – whenever possible.

We will take every reasonable precaution so that we do not remember our incredible vacation with a new infection of gonorrhea, hepatitis B or C, HIV, genital warts, and/or syphilis!

What are your summer rules?

Leather weekend

2008-05-25T12:51:00.000-07:00

On the flip side of the seeing guys in bathing suits - let's talk about guys in leather! Not only does this weekend mark the start of the beach season but there is also a major leatherfest in Chicago called IML (International Mr. Leather). This event attracts thousands of leather wearing, daddies, boys, Sir, Slaves, Pups. I am always working this weekend at the beach, so I am never able to make it to this event!

Speaking of the leather community - I think they really have the edge on safer sex and HIV prevention. Most play safe, establish limits. I respect them and take to heart the messages they offer. One of the places that is a supporter of us is a shop called Leather Central. They are the only place in town where I send guys to who are looking for some leather wear or looking for some special toys! Chris and Jason do a great job providing a service the the GLBT community in Rehoboth. I use them as a referral for guys who are expierimenting with self - pleasuring (truly the safest sex!) or guys who are looking to enter into the leather community by purhcasing their first piece of leather. These guys have been supporters of the CAMPsafe program since I met them when they owned a local B and B.

If you are in town, stop by their store. They have some really great stuff and do care about the community in Rehoboth.

Beach...

2008-05-24T10:18:00.000-07:00

One of the things we do in the summer is beach outreach. Even though today isn't the hottest of days, the guys are out having some fun in the sun! The outreach team of CAMPsafe goes to the places where the guys are! So - we spend some time on the beach during the summer talking to them, handing out some goodies and making sure everyone has a good and safe time. Here are some shots from today..

Memorial Day Weekend..

2008-05-24T07:36:00.000-07:00

More to come..but here is a teaser..click on this link for the web cam.

Testing Thursdays...

2008-05-22T18:25:00.001-07:00

One of the best parts I like about my job at CAMP is doing HIV Testing and Counseling. Besides sexual health counseling, this is the one program where I get to talk to men and women at the moment they are in most need of someone who can answer their questions about sexual health concerns or at least give them some peace of mind.

Today was one of those days for Anthony. He gave his second HIV+ result to a young gay man. Giving postive results is a tough job. You are with the client at the very moment - they hear some distrubing news. Anthony did a great job this evening. I am really glad to have him be part of the CAMPsafe family.

Thanks Anthony!!

Condom Stuffing...

2008-05-21T10:28:00.001-07:00

The coming of summer usually means that we are getting ready to distribute our safer sex kits around town. In order to get these packets ready, a group of volunteers gets together for our "condom Bees". I really enjoy these events and impressed by the dedication of the volunteers who donate their time creating these packets. Not only am I grateful for their handy work but I also enjoy being able to spend time with them to joke around, tell jokes and eat pizza!

I want to thank them and I can't wait till our next stuffing event.

Can Tops Get HIV?

2008-05-20T12:46:00.001-07:00

This is a question I hear very often in testing and counseling sessions.

HIV can enter through cuts, abrasions and ulcers, but even if you don't have any of these on your penis, you can still catch HIV. It can enter through your uretha (you know the place where your pee comes out of!) during sex and cause infection. If you are uncut, your foreskin can trap the virus and enter into your body. HIV can even enter through the head of your penis.

So, next time your top tells you, he could never get HIV - tell me he is wrong!!!

"sorting" things out....

2008-05-15T12:08:00.000-07:00

“Sorting” Things Out

One of the things that I enjoy when I am not working is checking out profiles of guys on websites. It’s pretty interesting to see how men are crafting their profiles (the pictures aren’t bad either!!). I always get a kick out of the “Rehoboth” area profiles as guys are starting to plan for their Memorial Day holiday. Already, we have guys looking for leather daddies for a week, guys who are smooth, guys who build portable “glory holes” in their hotel rooms and guys into groups. One of the postings on a popular website was for HIV+ guys only.

It’s amazing to see how long it takes trends from bigger cities like NYC, SF or Philadelphia make there way down to the gay community of Rehoboth. Maybe I haven’t noticed or maybe I am naive but “serosorting” has come to this area. Despite its criticisms, I believe this is a good strategy and I applaud HIV+ men for taking the initiative to protect other men from getting infected with HIV.

What is Serosorting?
Serosorting comes from the word "serum" which has to do with fluids of the blood. If you are HIV+ then you are sero-positive, and if you’re HIV- you are sero-negative. So, as I'm sure you've figured out, sero-sorting is the process of choosing your sexual/romantic partners based on whether or not they have HIV.

I think the HIV+ community use serosorting to avoid potential rejection, reduce fear or anxiety related to condom breakage, or for a greater sense of shared intimacy. This really isn’t unusual. I think many men have been doing this for a long time. Until recently, it’s been about romantic relationships but now it’s moved over to picking and choosing sex partners based on their HIV status.

While it's a great strategy for HIV+ guys, HIV- guys need to be careful about serosorting. I like to call this smarter sorting for HIV- men. Just because a guy says he is negative doesn't mean he truly knows for sure. It takes about two months for HIV to show up on a test, which means if they've had unsafe sex recently a negative result doesn't mean a thing. So, we're not advocating having bareback sex with somebody who says he's negative as a way of avoiding HIV infection but maybe eliminating high risk negatives out of your potential pool of sex partner. But pairing off with someone of your same status, while still practicing safer sex, definitely reduces your chances of catching HIV, or something else.

Just because you're serosorting doesn't mean condoms and lube should fall out of the picture, but it can be another important tool for maintaining your health whether you're Positive or Negative.

What Do You Think?

One more...

2008-05-12T17:43:00.001-07:00

Here is another picture from the nor'easter today! I am finally dried out. Quiet this evening.

Days Like This...

2008-05-12T13:38:00.001-07:00

Being in Rehoboth does have it's advantages...but on days like this...its amazing to see how awe inspiring Mother nature is...

How risky is.....

2008-05-10T07:54:00.000-07:00

How risky is rimming?

There is no risk of catching HIV from rimming. You can catch other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI's) from rimming. Some of these are: Hepatitis A, gut infections and even worms (YUK!).

Friday...

2008-05-09T13:22:00.000-07:00

What do we do?

2008-05-05T11:52:00.000-07:00

CAMPINGsafe – That’s what’s it’s all about!

What is the CAMPsafe program? What do you do? What are you about? Those are just a few of the questions that CAMPsafe outreach workers have been recently asked. So, what is the program all about? What is CAMPsafe? What do we do?

CAMPsafe is an HIV prevention program that serves the gay/bi male community in Eastern Sussex County. CAMP Rehoboth was given a contract in 1998 by Delaware’s Department of Public Health. This contract was to work with gay/bi men in Eastern Sussex County. Since 1998, the CAMPsafe program continues to grow and thrive with each passing year. The program started by offering services only during the summer and now provides them all year round.

HIV Testing and Counseling

Knowing your HIV status is one of the most important things you can do if you are a sexually active gay/bi male. Not only are you taking time to learn your status, you are also protecting your community. CAMPsafe offers free and anonymous HIV Testing and Counseling at its office on Baltimore Avenue by appointment or walk-in during the week. Along with the Sussex County AIDS Committee, CAMPsafe offers testing on Thursdays from 3-6pm. During 2001, we tested 120 individuals who came in to access this service.

Sexual Health Counseling

Sexual health counseling was begun by the CAMPsafe program because we saw the need for gay/bi men to know that there is a place they won’t be judged because of their sexual practices. CAMPsafe offers Sexual Health Counseling for gay/bi men who have questions about risks of sexual activities, sexual health or need someone to talk to about issues they have around sex. Counseling is free and is offered by staff in a non-threatening environment where gay/bi men can come in and ask questions. During 2001, 65 men were counseled through this program.

Beach, Bar, Beach House Outreach – Condom Distribution Program

The outreach program of CAMPsafe is the program that allows us to be visible in the gay/bi community. During 2001, CAMPsafe supplied 12,000 condom packets to the many bars, restaurants and nightclubs that the gay/bi male community frequent in Rehoboth. During the summer months, you can find CAMPsafe staff at these places during the weekends between the hours of 10:00pm till 1am handing out condoms and talking with guys about safer sex. On special weekends, CAMPsafe holds special safe-Tea dances at Cloud 9. Also, outreach staff can be found on the beach handing out condom packets and HIV testing cards. During 2001, we talked with over 500 men at our outreach events.

Social Marketing Campaign

The social marketing campaign of CAMPsafe is perhaps one of the most widely known programs. Our famous postcards campaign has been with the program since its inception. During the summer season, collectible safer sex postcards can be found at many of the places gay/bi men frequent. The postcards are supposed to be fun and campy so that we can reach many men with the important safer sex messages that can be found on them. Another thing that makes these cards special are the men who help with the campaign. They volunteer to appear on the cards because they care about the men in the gay community who will be making safer sex choices. 8,000 cards were handed out during 2001. Another aspect of our campaign is through “Letters”. “Letters” has donated space to the CAMPsafe program so that we can publicize our many services and create awareness around our program.

CAMPchats/M-Groups and the Community Advisory Board.

These programs usually occur off-season and are geared towards the local gay/bi population. CAMPchats and M-Groups provide a group setting for gay/bi men to learn risk-reduction skills around sex and other health issues. The Community Advisory Board has become the heart of the CAMPsafe program this year. The CAB is group of men who come together to talk about the CAMPsafe program and help evolve it to a community - centered program. This allows the community to have more input on how the program should reach out to the community.

Internet Outreach Program

CAMPsafe was given a pilot grant in December of 2001 to do outreach online to men who frequent the Internet chatrooms to find sex partners. Online staff is talking with many men who are visiting the area or who live here. This medium allows staff to inform men that may not live in this area of the programs and services that CAMPsafe offers.

CAMPsafe is out there to serve the community in Eastern Sussex County. The program is very proud to be an important part in helping to shape decision-making around safer sex issues. If you are in need of any of our services or would like to be a part of the CAMPsafe program, please call us at 302-227-5620.

A little about CAMPsafe...

2008-04-30T12:56:00.000-07:00

The CAMPsafe program (a program provided by CAMP Rehoboth) evolved from an HIV prevention initiative begun in 1995 to work with Gay and Bisexual men in Sussex and Kent County. The program was needed, was immediately embraced by the community, and has been successful in promoting the HIV/AIDS prevention message. The need for that message continues and CAMPsafe / CAMP Rehoboth remains committed to the HIV prevention effort. Over the years, however, many have wondered if all services provided to the gay/bi community will now forever be coupled with HIV/AIDS. Many have expressed a need for available, sensitive and culturally aware counseling services on a great range of sexual and other health issues not directly connected to HIV/AIDS.

And they were right to wonder. The history of our community is one of strength, solidarity, and compassion in the face of the incredible challenge of HIV/AIDS and all of the social issues that accompanied the epidemic. We were forced to focus all our resources to the fight or die. The price of that survival, however, was all the other services that a healthy community needs to thrive not just survive. Now we are hearing the call to re-invigorate many of those missed services. The Sexual Health Counseling service is now offered as an additional service of the CAMPsafe Program to help meet this need.

One of the things often commented on by community members is the lack of health professionals that know how to deal with gay/bisexual male sexual health concerns without immediately moving the conversation to the subject of HIV testing. Many of us just need good information about how to ensure anal health, or information on how to have sex most enjoyably with the least risk, or on negotiating comfortable sexual limits with partners, and on the use of sexual aids. Many of us need good information about the effects of drug and alcohol use on sexual experience, behaviors and decision making. Many of us just need a sounding board for exploring issues and our own decision making process.

We need information on how to prevent infection with STDs other than HIV - for ourselves and for those we love And we need this information without the historical and essentially de-valuing (and discriminatory) suggestions that we simply do not have sex or that do not acknowledge that the exchange of fluids many times has deep psychological meaning beyond the scope of procreation. And even though we are blessed with HIV/AIDS treatment options and providers of treatment within Delaware that are amazingly above national averages for quality and access, most of us do not and/or can not get these other needed services from traditional medical service providers or from traditional HIV/AIDS case managers and counselors. Sometimes there just isn't enough time in the appointment.

CAMPsafe's Sexual Health Counseling services will offer these services for gay/Bisexual men in a non-judgmental environment. You can ask anything about sexual health, sexual behavior, or health in general. If we do not know the answer, we will find someone who does or make sure you have a referral to someone who will answer your questions with sensitivity. You will not have to get an HIV test (though be assured, these are still available free of charge to those who request them). We will help gay/bi men to identify low and high-risk activities in their lives and help them move toward the health goals that they choose for themselves. The services will be offered at three locations: downtown Rehoboth, at the Sussex County AIDS Committee offices on Route 1, and in Dover.

Call CAMP Rehoboth at (302) 227-5620 to find out about walk-in hours or to make an appointment with me (Sal Seeley, the CAMPsafe counselor).

2008-04-24T13:41:00.000-07:00

Website Wednesdays

2008-04-23T10:47:00.000-07:00

Wednesday is for Websites....

Each Wednesday I will be posting websites that I have found interesting or amusing! Please feel free to share websites in the comment section that you enjoy.

Here is a great site that focuses on gay men's health issues. I found this last year while finding out some information on rectal microbicides.

There's Something About Oral.

2008-04-22T06:20:00.000-07:00

Many of the questions we get here at CAMP are about oral sex. I think I have answered the question: "Is oral sex risky for getting HIV" a million times. Here is what I have read from other researchers and medical clinicians out there. This is what I have put together..

What about oral sex?

Oral sex isn’t a high-risk activity for HIV because the lining of the mouth is strong, and saliva also contains protective properties. Pre-cum – the clear fluid that oozes out when you’re very horny – can contain HIV but only in quantities so small they’re not considered to be a significant risk of HIV transmission for oral sex.

Getting cum in your mouth increases the risk. Neither spitting it out nor swallowing seems to make it less or more risky, it’s the length of time it's in your mouth that’s important (the shorter the better).Looking after your mouth will reduce the risk for oral sex.

The likelihood of oral HIV transmission increases if you have cuts, ulcers or abrasions in your mouth, a sore throat, tonsillitis or gum disease. This is because they create entry points into your blood stream. Flossing or vigorous brushing before sex can also break the skin on your gums.

There you have it...my opinion. What do you think?

Online Prevention?

2008-04-21T11:46:00.000-07:00

I found this article today while looking through POZ magazine. What do you think? Do you think online prevention works or doesn't?

Testing Thursdays

2008-04-17T11:51:00.000-07:00

One of the programs we offer here at CAMP is HIV Testing and Counesling. When I first started doing testing seven years ago, we did an oral test that had to be sent to the lab. Two weeks later you would get your results. What a difference time makes! Now we offer rapid HIV testing using a Uni-Gold test kit. What this means - you get your results in 10 minutes.

Call us today to get your test....

Is Monogamy For Me?

2008-04-06T06:19:00.000-07:00

There is a joke I recently heard and it goes like this. “What do lesbians do on their second date? Answer: “Hire a moving van.” “And what do gay men do on their second date? Answer” What’s a second date?” Gay men can’t escape it! We are seen nothing more than animals wanting more sex. And we are to hopeless to have a relationship, let alone thinking about monogamy! Funny, but is it true?

Like many gay men, I grapple with the concept of monogamy or open relationships. Some days it depends on which way the wind is blowing or how I might be feeling at a particular moment in my life. I think it also depends on the level of commitment and security you need in your life. I have seen couples work at monogamy or open relationships. Some have worked, some have failed. What makes the difference is the level of communication you have with someone you love. For me, this trust is important because having unsafe sex outside the relationship can open your life up to other problems.

There are countless stories of men infecting partners because they broke an agreement or practiced unsafe sex outside of their primary relationship. When we are with someone, there is an amount of trust involved. Issues around trust play a major part in all relationships. However, negotiating sex is one of the most important things- especially if you are considering an open or closed relationship. Many couples fail in the earlier stages of their relationship agreement that includes talking about past sexual history, sexual health concerns and current preferences in terms of relationship style. It is not sexy to talk about this stuff when you are in your honeymoon period. But before you know it, time has passed and the conversation becomes more difficult to have; especially when one partner may have brought and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) into the relationship.

I feel you need to have an open conversation with your partner and see if monogamy is for you or your lover. If it isn’t – they need to know so you can make informed choices about the future of your relationship. If you decide to be open, having an STI and HIV check together can bring clarity and openness to the relationship. Negotiation will have to be done when and if condoms are used with other people. This will protect not only you but your partner.

Relationships are a constant source of learning and difficulties arise. I know that first hand! Gay men often throw in the towel at the point where things are difficult. By talking and negotiating monogamy or an open relationship, you can strengthen the relationship and make for a stronger couple.

Spring Has Sprung...

2008-03-25T07:46:00.000-07:00

Spring has sprung men and it is time to get out there and enjoy the fruits of the nicest season of the year! New things are going to be happening around here. We have been busy over the past few months planning our strategy for this summer. We will soon be telling you about this year’s campaign so look out for it. It is going to be fun!

It seems that this has been a very long winter. I have surely been looking forward to the coming of the spring and the summer that follows it. I am sick of the long nights and short days. I was just beginning to feel like a mushroom when SPRING finally arrived. Now I feel new, fresh and hopeful. I am sure I am not the only one. I am doing some new things to make this spring a good one. I am promising myself to enjoy more of what Rehoboth has to offer. My bike tires are pumped up and so am I!

Spring and the summer that follows will bring some new and exciting things to us all. The tourists are beginning to arrive. The boardwalk is gradually swelling with its new inhabitants. The stores are beginning to expand their hours and many of the places that were boarded up are beginning to shed their winter covers. Those cute men and boys will be staking out their territory on the beach soon. It really is a time for new beginnings.

Even though we have been online in the chat rooms for a few years - we never had a blog. AS more guys are cruising the internet for sex or using one of the other sites to meet guys - we decided to keep up with the times and start a site and a blog that is geared towards gay and bi guys who have questions about sex and sexual health issues!!

Keep an eye out on our new blog and site for updates.