Global initiative launched on gay app Hornet to modernise safe sex message

US-based health organisation The Global Forum on MSM and HIV (MSMGF) have teamed up with gay dating app Hornet for a new digital campaign to help modernise the HIV prevention message.

 Blue Ribbon Boys is a collaboration from the two organisations that prompts Horney app users to answer a short series of “yes/no” questions about their sexual health.

The questions relate to HIV and STI testing, ARV (anti-retroviral) treatment, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), viral load, disclosure, stigma, condom and lubricant use, and other safe sex methods.

Hornet users who undertake the survey and qualify will receive a blue ribbon icon on their profile photo signifying their personal commitment to sexual health, regardless of their HIV status.

 

Men who do not qualify for a blue ribbon are offered recommendations for ways to help protect and improve their sexual health so they can become a Blue Ribbon Boy.

The purpose of the Blue Ribbon Boys in-app questionnaire is to modernise the safe sex message for men who have sex with men (MSM) by reintroducing sex into the safe sex conversation and by informing men about the diverse range of prevention options available to them.

The Blue Ribbon Boys icon is an amalgamation of the red ribbon used for World AIDS day combined with the colour of the Truvada, the first blue pill approved for PrEP treatment in the US and France.

While PrEP is not available yet readily available in Australia unless it is imported online, MSMGF hope to create social awareness and demand and to pressure the Australian government to expedite change.

MSMGF also believe this will be the largest viral suppression effort to date, reaching over seven million users across the Hornet network.

For details, visit blueribbonboys.org