Take care of each other

Take care of each other

People attending Mardi Gras celebrations in Sydney this weekend are being urged to play safe and look after each other.
ACON is advising revellers to maintain a ‘culture of care’ in relation to HIV, sexual health, street safety, and alcohol and other drugs.

“We’re urging gay men to help prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs) by using condoms and water-based lube when they’re having sex with casual partners,” ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill said.

“Syphilis and gonorrhoea are both on the increase among gay men in Sydney so it’s important to protect yourself and others by using condoms.

“If you think you may have been at risk of getting an STI, it’s important to get tested at a general practice or sexual health service as soon as possible. Getting tested for HIV and other STIs is also an essential part of maintaining good sexual health, not to mention peace of mind. And if gay men do test positive for STIs, it’s important that they take time out from sex to ensure the infection is not passed on to others in the community.

“Also, same-sex attracted young women are almost five times more likely to get an STI than heterosexual woman. So we’re encouraging young lesbians to negotiate safe sex and get tested regularly.”

info: Visit www.acon.org.au

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