MANHUNT Daily

A Call To Action...

Not that kind of action, silly! But now that we've gotten your attention, we'd like to take a brief moment to direct your attention to our dear colleagues at Manhunt Cares. We're asking for your help in taking action against the criminal prosecution of individuals living with HIV. In several cases, these individuals have been charged, jailed or labeled as bio-terrorists. On top of wreaking havoc in their lives, these cases are also spreading misinformation about HIV — scaring people away from testing, treatment and care, and feeding into HIV stigma.

Considering that I'm essentially plagiarizing their post at this point, I'd strongly recommend heading over to Manhunt Cares for more information. Once there, you can get the facts and endorse a letter to the CDC asking them to keep their own promises to address HIV criminalization. It'll only take a few moments of your time, so take a break from jerking off to pictures of Guillermo & Caio Cesar to take a stand!

- Dewitt

Photo credit: Jet Set Men

Does Sex Necessarily Sell AIDS & HIV Awareness?

Last week, we featured a few images from a World Wildlife Fund campaign. The series attempted to raise awareness on environmental issues by having naked models pose as wild animals. The message wasn't lost on us, but we could see how some people wouldn't get what a bunch of hot naked people have to do with saving chimpanzees.

Now, we don't know much about the image above, but it apparently comes from a 2010 calendar that has intentions of raising awareness on HIV and AIDS. Although the models are mostly naked and super hot, I'm not exactly seeing the message here. Perhaps sales of the calendar go towards research or health initiatives? Does anyone know what's up with this?

- Dewitt

For more images from this campaign, follow the JUMP:

Gaga & Lauper Glam It Up

Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper are the newest faces for MAC Cosmetics' VIVA GLAM line, a series of products which provide financial support for the MAC AIDS Fund. Since 1994, the organization has provided up to $135 million to community organizations that directly service individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

The image above is the first of Gaga and Lauper's Spring 2010 campaign. The two singers' lipsticks will be released on March 18^th, so be sure to pick some up for your favorite drag queen pal. One-hundred percent of proceeds from the fourteen dollar price-tag are donated to the MAC AIDS Fund. Viva glam, indeed!

- Dewitt

Have You Ever: Been Tested For HIV?

Generally, our Have You Ever posts lean towards the racier side, but we're going to take a moment today to talk about something serious. Even though World AIDS Day may be behind us, it's still AIDS Awareness Month. And honestly, there's no wrong time to have this sort of discussion.

Rather than present information and scary statistics straight out of a pamphlet, I'm going to take this opportunity to share one of my stories about getting tested. My first time was when I was eighteen, and I was absolutely terrified. I hadn't ever consciously had unprotected sex, but there were a few occasions where condoms had broken and you can never be one-hundred percent sure, you know?

I had been regularly hooking up with a man in his thirties, and he actually got pretty upset when he found out I had never been tested. I should clarify that it was a productive anger. He immediately offered to take me to a local gay and lesbian health clinic, and I accepted his offer.

Frankly, I didn't know what to expect. I'm extremely scared of needles, so I shuddered at the very thought of blood being taken. Would I faint in the middle of the clinic, and more importantly--would my life be changed forever by the results?

At the time, I wasn't aware that rapid HIV testing had become available. They sat me down in a room, discussed my sexual habits and then sent me off for a little prick in the finger. "That's it?" I asked the nurse incredulously. And twenty minutes later, they had my results.

I was thrilled to hear the words "negative" come out of the nurse's mouth, but she warned me of the six month window between the time of HIV infection and the production of measurable antibodies. I marked my calendar to get tested again in the near future, and left the office feeling extremely relieved. 

Well, that's pretty much my story! I'll leave out the details about my older friend and I "celebrating" afterwards (with a condom, but of course), because they're not particularly relevant to this post. Hopefully, this'll prompt a few of you to share your stories too, but I'm not pushing or anything. Oh, and if you're looking for more information on getting tested or finding a testing center near you, be sure to head over to Manhunt Cares.

- Dewitt

Photo credit: LIFE

HIV Is Still A Big Deal

Thought we were finished talking about World AIDS Day? Well, you thought wrong. Exactly a year ago, our dear friends at Manhunt Cares partnered with the HIV Big Deal campaign (click here if you haven't seen the original video series) to send out a broadcast to Manhunt's membership.

In a new segment by In The Life, the innovative web-series' success is examined a year after it was released. Manhunt is mentioned more than a few times, and the segment even includes a few of the e-mails that you sent us. After you've checked out the video, we encourage you to share your feedback or general reflections on Worlds AIDS Day in the comments section. This isn't a time to be shy, guys!

- Dewitt

To watch the video, follow the JUMP:

How Are You Facing AIDS?

Today is World AIDS Day, and it's not never too late to do your part in reducing the stigma around HIV and promoting HIV testing. There are several ways to help, and no gesture is too small to matter. So what are you waiting for? Don't fall under the impression that everyone's heard. Get out there, and start spreading the word!

If you've been on Twitter at all today, you've probably noticed that you can use the tags "#red" and "#laceupsavelives" to change the color of your tweets to red. You can also add a red Twibbon to your profile avatar, or change your photo for the day.

Oh, you're more of a Facebook man? Well, head over to AIDS.gov to download a "Facing AIDS" sign, fill it out to show how you're facing AIDS and take a photo with the sign. Upload your adorable new pic as your profile photo, and let others know to do the same. Or you can change your status to “[Your Name] is Facing AIDS for World AIDS Day. To find an HIV test site, text your ZIP to “KNOWIT” (566948), or visit ManhuntCares.com. Join me and post this to your status today.” Then again, why not change your status and upload a picture? It'll only take a few minutes!

Last but not least, be sure to check out the Facing AIDS Flickr group, which features pictures of individuals holding their signs and showing their support. You're encouraged to upload your own, and let it be known that you're joining in on World AIDS Day.

- Dewitt

To watch a video about the "Facing AIDS" campaign, follow the JUMP:

Can You Be Sued For Lying When You Give Blood?

Several months ago, we asked if you've ever lied to donate blood, by saying that you've never had gay sex. Most of your answers fell into two distinct categories. Some folks said things along the lines of, "I don't want anything that doesn't want me." Others argued that a little fib doesn't hurt anyone, particularly in a case where it could save a life.

Well, a Canadian man named Kyle Freeman fell into the latter group of logic, and now Canadian Blood Services is suing him for not telling the truth. Freeman is healthy, HIV-negative and wholly admits to his lie. He's also suing them back for discrimination. Well, this could get interesting!

- Dewitt

HIV Vaccine Gives Hope

For the first time in the history of HIV/AIDS research, a vaccine has been developed that has shown to be partially effective in stopping infection. The vaccine was developed in Thailand in an experiment involving more than 16,000 people.

The vaccine is able to prevent infection about 31% of the time. It's not 100% effective, but it's a start many thought would never come. The idea of a vaccine for HIV was one that many scientists had ruled out, and this finding will likely give new vigor to the search for a more effective vaccine.

While this vaccine is not the cure or anything close to it, it could likely lead to a more effective vaccine in the future. For that reason, this find is truly groundbreaking.

- Andy

Ukraine Says No To Elton John Adoption

Elton John was all eager to adopt an Ukrainian boy who is HIV-positive but an Ukrainian official is not having it due to Elton's "single" status and his old age. Except we all know he's not really single, just not legally allowed to be married.

Elton met the boy while doing his charity work and went on to say that his partner always wanted to adopt, "'David always wanted to adopt a child and I always said 'no' because I am 62 and I think because of the traveling I do and the life I have, maybe it wouldn't be fair for the child. But having seen Lev today, I would love to adopt him. I don't know how we do that but he has stolen my heart."

According to an Ukrainian officials adopted parents must be legally married and be less than 45 years older then the child. So it looks like Elton may not be eligible, unfortunately. It really doesn't seem fair, maybe he can try to pull a Madonna? Use your fame and fortune for something!

- Andy

Universal Circumcisions? The CDC May Recommend It

The CDC is pondering whether to recommend universal circumcisions for boys in America as a way to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS. It has been shown that circumcised men are at lower risk (but not necessarily gay men) of contracting HIV than men who still have their foreskin.

Obviously this would be a controversial recommendation as the exact benefits of circumcision are still debated. Many also think it's wrong to surgically remove a natural part of the body without consent of the person. I personally think circumcisions are overrated, but my opinion isn't really based on health-related issues.

Also, shouldn't curbing HIV be about safe sex and not a false sense of security in being circumcised? What do you guys think?

- Andy