Don't Upset This Rectal Microbicide Advocate!

by Mike Peters
IRMA Intern

A couple of weeks ago, I returned to Ohio for a weekend excursion.  The director of the Women's Studies program at my university informed me that I was named Graduate Student of the Year for Women's Studies and that there was a short awards ceremony that I should attend.  In preparation for this ceremony I was asked to dress nice, write a short bio of myself for the Dean of Liberal Arts to read, and to briefly say a few grateful words at the ceremony.

As excited and grateful as I was about this honor, I could not help but wonder what my interaction with the Dean of Liberal Arts would be like.  Perhaps some background information is necessary here.  My university is in Ohio, and Ohio, like so many other states, is facing a lot of economic issues in education.  During my last year on campus extreme budget cutbacks were made to Liberal Arts (while the basketball stadium and the Student Union were remodeled, and the basketball team was taking a trip to Italy).  Not only were these budget cuts devastating, but they were disturbing.  Six program directors, all women, were informed that they were being forced out of their directorships and required to teach additional classes.  These women, from fields that happened to focus on minority issues (Women's Studies, African and African-American Studies, International Studies, and so on), were to also be replaced  by a new dean of interdisciplinary studies that happened to be a white, heterosexual male as a cost-saving measure and way to increase course enrollment revenue.

Now, perhaps the male that would be replacing them had a strong background in interdisciplinary studies and could discuss minority issues with some level authority and expertise.  It was still utterly disturbing that these women were being removed from their leadership roles when they were all six some of the most respected educators on campus.  I suppose this is where my relationship with the Dean gets a little tricky.  In response to these budget cuts, I worked with three other graduate students as we led multiple protests and demonstrations of civil disobedience on campus – including flooding the Dean's office and taking over an intercom system to read The Vagina Monologues to the entire campus.  So my worry about standing with the Dean and listening to him comment on me was well-founded.

Excitedly, I wrote up a short bio of my educational background and my work new work with IRMA and sent it off to my program director.  On the trip there I worked tirelessly to remind myself to be respectful, not to worry, and to make sure I remembered to thank my various professors for their impact on my work.

On the day of the event my fiancé and I arrived at the auditorium and I was immediately informed that my bio had been edited, because it did not seem family-friendly enough as it used words like "anal", "rectal", and "sex".  Horrified by this reality, I was shuffled on stage and to my seat.  Given that I was being honored for Women's Studies I would be the last person receiving my award, since starting with a "W" the program always was at the end for liberal arts ceremonies, which gave me time to either get my visually-angered self calmed down or to let my anger at this injustice grow.  I chose the latter.

From my standpoint, and from my program director's viewpoint I might add, ignoring research and discussion because the word "anal" appears is not only ignorant, but is downright dangerous, as any member of IRMA certainly knows.  Besides, this is the work that I am doing with my degree, it ought to be celebrated.

So I sat… and sat… and sat.  And then the dean called me up to receive my award.  He read my censored bio as I smiled for the crowd.  Then he asked me to come to the podium to say a few grateful things:

"I'm really happy and thankful to be here today.  I'm also really happy that the Dean has given me a chance to talk about my work.  Right now I am working for IRMA, International Rectal Microbicide Advocates, to advocate for the development of rectal and vaginal microbicides in the global fight against HIV.  I'm very thankful that the education I received here has given me the ability to not be silent, and to actively advocate for proper sexual education as well as access to condoms and safe lubricants for vaginal and anal sex.  I mean let's be honest, HIV is still around and unprotected anal sex is major driver of this epidemic because we don't talk about it as actively as we should.  Thanks for hearing me out today."

Nobody freaked out.  The Dean shook my hand and I received my award.  No one walked out or ridiculed me; in fact a few folks told me that they admired my passion.  And in all seriousness, I was incredibly thankful to have the opportunity to speak about IRMA to people that likely had not heard of it before.  Though to be fair, I had better not ask the Dean for a recommendation letter any time soon.

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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,200 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

*Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.

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Facilitator's Guide for "The Rectal Revolution is Here" Video - English Version NOW Available

As many of our readers  know – in December IRMA, the Microbicide Trials Network, and Population Council launched the video “The Rectal Revolution is Here: An introduction to rectal microbicide clinical trials.” The 14-minute video includes researchers, advocates, and trial participants and discusses the need for rectal microbicides and the role of clinical trials in developing products that are safe and effective. It is available on YouTube in English, Spanish, and Thai and has been watched by several thousand viewers already.

The team has produced a facilitator’s guide to accompany the video, and the English version can be downloaded here.

The guide is meant to be used as a preparation tool for people leading community discussions, workshops, and/or recruitment sessions who will be showing the educational video. You will find simple, clear background information on rectal microbicide research and the clinical trial process as well as helpful hints on using the video.

We are still finalizing versions in Spanish and Thai – and will post them as soon as they are ready to go.

Many, many thanks to our partners at MTN and Population Council for their help and expertise with this guide, our Video Advisory Committee that provided invaluable feedback, our fabulous graphic designer from Toolbox, Inc., and to our intrepid Spanish and Thai translation teams!

If you would like an electronic copy of the video that you can keep on your computer or a flashdrive to be used for presentations, send a note to rectalmicro@gmail.com.

We hope you find this guide helpful!

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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,200 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

*Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.

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TIME SENSITIVE: Have You (or Your Organization) Endorsed Our Global Call to Action on Lubricant Safety Yet?

Have you and/or your organization endorsed the Global Call to Action on Lubricant Safety yet? (lists or endorsers in formation below.)

We are going to be closing the call soon, so please make your move on lube safety NOW.

Click here to read the Call and to endorse.

We must KNOW whether water-based and silicone-based lubricants used during sex are safe or not, whether they cause harm, or not. Right now we don’t know – but we DO have some data that has raised some concerns. These concerns must be addressed through research, the questions we have must be answered.

Make your voice heard – endorse the Call.

ORGANIZATIONS who have endorsed the Call = 159 to date

1.  Abra Advanced Research International Pte Ltd, Singapore
2.  ACON, Australia
3.  Act for Change, Ghana
4.  Act Up/East Bay, USA
5.  ActionAIDS, USA
6.  Adam's Love, Thailand
7.  ADEFHO, Cameroon
8.  Adhikaar, India
9.  Affirmative Action, Cameroon
10. African Alliance for HIV Prevention, South Africa
11. African Men for Sexual Health and Rights (AMSHeR), South Africa
12. Afrique Arc En Ciel, Togo
13. AIDES, France
14. AIDS Community Research Initiative of America, USA
15. AIDS Foundation of Chicago, USA
16. AIDS Project Los Angeles, USA
17. AIDS Services for the Monadnock Region, USA
18. AIDS United, USA
19. AKPAKA Axel, Benin
20. ALPHA Pittsburgh, Inc., USAALPHA Pittsburgh, Inc.
21. ALTERNATIVE CÔTE D'IVOIRE, Cote D’Ivoire
22. Anova Health Institute, South Africa
23. Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health, Thailand
24. Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers, Thailand
25. Astitva - An Organisation for the Support and Development of Sexual Minorities, India
26. Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations, Australia
27. AVAC, USA
28. Blue Diamond Society, Nepal
29. Canadian AIDS Society, Canada
30. Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE), Canada
31. Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, Canada
32. Caribbean Association of Midwest America, USA
33. Case/UH Microbicide Clinical Trials Community Advisory Committee, USA
34. Center for Applied Research on Men and Health (CARMAH), Vietnam
35. Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), Malawi
36. Centre for the Development of People, Malawi
37. Chengdu Tongle, China
38. Chicago Female Condom Campaign, USA
39. Chicago Women's AIDS Project, USA
40. Citizen News Service – CNS, India
41. Club des 7jours, Togo
42. C-NET+, Belize
43. Coalition Internationale Sida PLUS, France
44. COCQ-SIDA, Canada
45. COMMUNITY AND FAMILY AID FOUNDATION-GHANA, Ghana
46. Community Information Center, USA
47. CONCEPTO VIH-SIDA E ITS, Mexico
48. Davryan Laboratories, Inc (Probe lubricants), USA
49. Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, South Africa
50. Diversity And Solidairty Trust, Sri Lanka
51. DUH Demonstration for Universal Healthcare, USA
52. Epicentro, Peru
53. Equal Opportunities, Tajikistan
54. Evolve, Cameroon
55. Family Planning Council, USA
56. Fenway Institute at Fenway Health, USA
57. Freedom and Roam Uganda, Uganda
58. Fundacion Manodiversa Bolivia, Bolivia
59. Gala Initiative Uganda, Uganda
60. GALAEI, USA
61. Gay City Health Project, USA
62. Gay Men’s Health Crisis, USA
63. Gay Men's Sexual Health Alliance, Canada
64. Gel Works Pty Ltd, Australia
65. Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF), USA
66. Global Network of People Living with HIV, North American (GNP+NA), USA
67. Global Network of Sex Work Projects, UK
68. Global Research and Advocacy Group (GRAG), Senegal
69. GlobalGayz.com, USA
70. GrenCHAP Inc., Grenada
71. GWLmuda, Indonesia
72. Health Digest Foundation, Ghana
73. HealthHIV, USA
74. Heroes Project, India
75. HIV Prevention Justice Alliance, USA
76. House of Joe, USA
77. Housing Works, Inc., USA
78. Humanity First Cameroon, Cameroon
79. Hyacinth AIDS Foundation, USA
80. India HIV/AIDS Alliance, India
81. Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development, Canada
82. International Center for Advocacy on Right to Health, Nigeria
83. International Planned Parenthood Federation, UK
84. International Rectal Microbicide Advocates (IRMA), USA
85. International Youth Council-Nigeria, Nigeria
86. IRMA ALC - América Latina y el Caribe, Peru
87. IRMA Nigeria, Nigeria
88. ISHTAR-MSM, Kenya
89. Iskorak, Croatia
90. Jamaica AIDS Support for Life, Jamaica
91. Johns Hopkins Center for Public Health and Human Rights, USA
92. Joint Adherent Brothers and Sisters Against Aids, Uganda
93. Los Angeles County HIV Drug & Alcohol Task Force, USA
94. Louisiana Latino Health Coalition for HIV/AIDS Awareness, USA
95. MAACA, INC, USA
96. Maritime Life Precious Foundation, Ghana
97. Men Against AIDS Youth Group, Kenya
98. Men For Health and Gender Justice Organisation, Botswana
99. Microbicide Trials Network, USA
100.  Minnesota AIDS Project, USA
101.  MUSC/Lowcountry AIDS Services Consumer Advisory Board, USA
102.  NAM Publications (Aidsmap), UK
103.  National Black Gay Men's Advocacy Coalition, USA
104.  National Minority AIDS Council, USA
105.  Naz Male Health Alliance, Pakistan
106.  New HIV Vaccine and Microbicide Advocacy Society, Nigeria
107.  Okaloosa AIDS support & Informational Services, Inc. (OASIS), USA
108.  PEMA Kenya, Kenya
109.  Penitentiary Initiative, Ukraine
110.  People Like Us (PLUS) Kolkata, India
111.  PeterCares House, USA
112.  POCAAN (People of Color Against AIDS Network), USA
113.  Positive Mind & Body Support Group Network, USA
114.  Positive Women's Network USA, USA
115.  Presbyterian AIDS Network, USA
116.  Pride Equality, Sierra Leone
117.  Pro Health Initiative, Nigeria
118.  Professionals in Pride Kenya (PPK), Kenya
119.  Project Inform, USA
120.  PT Foundation, Malaysia
121.  Puerto Rico Community Network for Clinical Research on AIDS, Puerto Rico
122.  Queer Alliance Nigeria, Nigeria
123.  QUEEROCRACY, USA
124.  Rainbow Community Kampuceah, Cambodia
125.  Rainbow Sunrise Mapambazuko, DR Congo
126.  Rainbow-Ethiopia in Exile (REE), USA
127.  Real Opportunities Network, Ghana
128.  San Antonio AIDS Foundation, USA
129.  San Francisco AIDS Foundation, USA
130.  SEA-AIDS (Asia Pacific eForum on HIV), India
131.  SIBALT, Russia
132.  SID'ADO, Cameroon
133.  Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), Guyana
134.  SOMOSGAY, Paraguay
135.  START at Westminster, USA
136.  Stichting AidsCare, The Netherlands
137.  Tamba Pwani, Kenya
138.  Tanzania Sisi Kwa Sisi Foundation, Tanzania
139.  Terrence Higgins Trust, UK
140.  Test Positive Aware Network, USA
141.  The Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health, USA
142.  The Initiative for Equal Rights, Nigeria
143.  The Mpowerment Project, USA
144.  The Yes Yes Company Ltd, UK
145.  Total Health Empowerment and Development (THEDI), Nigeria
146.  Treatment Action Group, USA
147.  Trigg Laboratories, Inc., USA
148.  Uganda Health and Science Press Association, Uganda
149.  UNITED AND STRONG INC, Saint Lucia
150.  Vivir. Participacion, Incidencia y Transparencia, A.C., Mexico
151.  Vote For Health Campaign, India
152.  We For Civil Equality NGO, Armenia
153.  William Way LGBT Community Center, USA
154.  Women`s Health, HIV and AIDS Southern Africa, Zimbabwe
155.  Womenplus Against TB and HIV in Kenya, Kenya
156.  Women's Health and Equal Rights Initiative, Nigeria
157.  Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance, USA
158.  World AIDS Forum, Australia
159.  Youth Voices Count, Thailand

Endorse.

INDIVIDUALS who have endorsed the Call = 310 to date

1.  Adam Fairris, UK
2.  Ako Cyriaque Yapo, Senegal
3.  Alan Johnson, USA
4.  Alapini Max, Benin
5.  Alberto Abello, USA
6.  Alex Carballo-Dieguez, USA
7.  Alicia Gauvin, USA
8.  Allison Boyd, USA          
9.  Amoussou Damien, Togo
10.  Andrew Reynolds, USA
11.  Angel Luis Hernández, Puerto Rico
12.  Ann Jones, USA              
13.  Ann Joseph, USA
14.  Anna Forbes, USA         
15.  Anna Saeger, USA
16.  Anne Lehocky, USA      
17.  Antonio Gonzalez, USA
18.  Arick Buckles, United States
19.  Ben Bavinton, Australia
20.  Ben Clapham, USA
21.  Ben Wilcock, Australia
22.  Bertram Johnson, United States
23.  Beth Galaska Burzuk, USA          
24.  Bi Petex, Uganda
25.  Bisi Alimi, United Kingdom
26.  Blake Smith, UK
27.  Bobby Ramakant, India
28.  Brian Kanyemba, South Africa
29.  Brian M. Green, USA
30.  Brian White, South Africa
31.  Briana Morgan, United States
32.  Brooke Willis, USA         
33.  Butch McKay, USA                         
34.  Cameron Wolf, USA
35.  Caren Kirkland, USA      
36.  Carlos Vela, Peru            
37.  Carrie E .Foote, USA
38.  Cassandra Warren, USA              
39.  Cassie Bayside, Australia
40.  Celina Londono, USA
41.  Champion Phiri, South Africa
42.  Chanthorn Phorng, Cambodia
43.  Charlene Dezzutti, USA
44.  Charles, Uganda             
45.  Chheav Aphyra, Cambodia
46.  Chiranjivi Amgai, Nepal
47.  Chris Bartlett, USA
48.  Christian Rumu, United States
49.  Christopher B. Duerkes, USA
50.  Chull Sesugh Stanley, Nigeria
51.  Clare Collins, USA
52.  Clayton Ruley, USA
53.  Collins Seymah Smith, Ghana
54.  Cory Silverberg, Canada              
55.  Courtney McCrellias, USA
56.  Dahlia Ferlito, USA
57.  Dan Kilbane, USA
58.  Dana Loxley, Australia  
59.  Dana Nelson, USA
60.  Daniel MacDonald, USA
61.  Daramola Christianah, Nigeria
62.  Darrel Johnson, United States
63.  David Acosta, USA
64.  David G Ostrow, USA
65.  David Kuria, Kenya
66.  David Phillips, USA         
67.  Deb Tolenaar, USA
68.  Deirdre Grant, USA       
69.  Denis Efremov, Russia
70.  Derrick Mapp, USA
71.  Don Pults, USA
72.  Donald MacIver, USA
73.  Donn Colby, Vietnam   
74.  Doug Brown, UK
75.  Doug McColeman, Canada
76.  Douglas Masinde, Kenya
77.  Douglas Warzyn, USA   
78.  Douomong Yotta Serge, Cameroon
79.  Dr Stuart Koe, Singapore
80.  Dr. Michael W. Plankey, USA
81.  Dredge Kang, USA
82.  Drew  Nannini, United States
83.  Duncan Japhta Khothatso Moeketse, South Africa
84.  Durueke Florita, Nigeria
85.  Dustin Kight, USA
86.  Ed Wolf, USA
87.  Edie O'Connor, United States
88.  Edward Fuchs, USA
89.  Edward Iwanicki, USA
90.  Eniko Akom, USA
91.  Eric Arnold Fopossi, Cameroon
92.  Eric Evans, USA
93.  Eric M Glare, Australia  
94.  Erich Schneider Ormeño, Peru
95.  Erik Libey, USA
96.  Erik Streeter, USA
97.  Ernest MOSEKI, Botswana
98.  Essiomle Ethie, Togo
99.  Eva Westley, United States
100.  Fiona Hale, UK
101.  Gabriel Boichat, Spain
102.  Gail Broder, USA
103.  Garland Wood, USA      
104.  Garry Brough, UK
105.  Gary Paul Wright, USA
106.  Gbekou, Togo
107.  Gennady Roshchupkin, Russia
108.  George Kerr, USA          
109.  George Miller-Zauner, USA
110.  George Pappas, USA
111.  George Reginald Freeman, Sierra Leone
112.  George Victor O, Kenya
113.  Georges S., Togo
114.  Georges Sideris, France
115.  Gerard Nkundimana, Rwanda  
116.  Gina Brown, USA
117.  Glenn Kornblum, USA  
118.  Gregg Kimball, USA
119.  Hanna Hjord, USA          
120.  Hannah Graves, Canada
121.  Heidi Nass, USA
122.  Heidi Wesbrock, USA   
123.  Helen, USA
124.  Henrieese Roberts, USA
125.  Hugo Dann, Canada
126.  Ian Lemieux, US             
127.  Ivan Cruickshank, Jamaica          
128.  J. Jeff McConnell, USA 
129.  Jace Dyckman, USA
130.  Jack Cox, USA
131.  Jade Patten, USA
132.  James Carrington, United States
133.  James Komar, United States
134.  Jamie Roberts, USA
135.  Jamie Sims, USA
136.  Jason Jacobs, USA
137.  Jason King , USA             
138.  Jean-Michel Brevelle, USA
139.  Jeff Berry, USA
140.  Jeffrey Pope, USA         
141.  Jennifer A. Hawley, USA
142.  Jeremy Kwan, Malaysia
143.  Jerome Galea, USA       
144.  Jeton Ademaj, USA
145.  Jim Cosenza, USA
146.  Jim Eigo, USA
147.  Jim Merrell, USA            
148.  Jim Pickett, USA
149.  Joan Tallada, Spain
150.  John Andrews, USA
151.  John Hamiga, USA         
152.  John Kashiha, Tanzania
153.  John McAllister, Botswana
154.  John Peller, USA             
155.  Jorge Gutierrez, USA
156.  Jorge Yon, Peru
157.  Joseph Alfano, USA
158.  Joseph Walker, USA
159.  Joyce Hunter, USA
160.  Jules Eloundou Atamba, Cameroon
161.  Julian Sanjivan, USA      
162.  Julie Davids, United States
163.  Kadiri Audu, Nigeria
164.  Karen Creary, USA         
165.  Karon Stephen, France
166.  Kasha Jacqueline, Uganda
167.  Kate Alexander, USA
168.  Kate Morrow, USA
169.  Kay Marshall, USA
170.  Kees Rümke, The Netherlands
171.  Keith Gereffi, USA
172.  Kelly Curran, USA
173.  Kennedy Otieno Olango, Kenya              
174.  Kenny, USA
175.  Kent Klindera, United States
176.  Kevin DeLuca, USA
177.  Kevin McKenzie, USA
178.  Kieta D. Mutepfa, USA
179.  Krishna Stone, USA
180.  Kyon Saucier, USA
181.  Larry Baxter, Canada    
182.  Laurel Sprague, United States
183.  Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, India
184.  Leo Schenk, The Netherlands
185.  Lillibeth Gonzalez, USA
186.  Linda Watson, Canada
187.  Loren Jones, United States
188.  Luis Galarza, Ecuador    
189.  Mac-Darling Cobbinah, Ghana  
190.  Maheswar Satpathy, Australia 
191.  Marc-André LeBlanc, Canada    
192.  Marcelo Maia, USA       
193.  Margaret Onah, Nigeria
194.  Marie Camacho, USA   
195.  Marie Omorodion, USA
196.  Mark Hubbard, USA      
197.  Mark Ing, USA 
198.  Mark S. King, USA          
199.  Marlon Woodward, USA
200.  Martha Tholanah, Zimbabwe
201.  Mary Brewster, United States
202.  Mathew Rodriguez, USA
203.  Matt Bray, USA
204.  Matthew Franck, USA
205.  Matthew Rose, USA
206.  Matthew Vaughan, Thailand
207.  Melanie A Reese, USA
208.  Michael Louella , USA   
209.  Michael Luciano, USA
210.  Michael Moore, USA    
211.  Michael Trigg, USA
212.  Mike Kennedy, Australia            
213.  Mike Peters, USA
214.  Mombunza Azuba, DR CONGO
215.  Monique Newell, USA 
216.  Morenike Ukpong, Nigeria        
217.  Muriel Visser, France   
218.  Mykaila Ostrom, USA
219.  Mykal Welch, Belize
220.  N. Nash, USA
221.  Naigaga Lillian Mutengu, Uganda
222.  Nathan Solomon, USA 
223.  Nicholas Bates, Australia
224.  Nnamani Ikechukwu Sammy, Nigeria
225.  Olumide Makanjuola, Nigeria
226.  Omullo Paul, Kenya
227.  Orbit Clanton, USA
228.  Otis Richardson, USA
229.  Patricia Segura, Peru
230.  Patrick French, USA
231.  Paul Causey, Thailand
232.  Pedro Goicochea, USA
233.  Penny DeNoble, USA
234.  Pham Thi Hanh Van, Vietnam
235.  Phillis Washington, USA
236.  Pilot Mathambo, Botswana
237.  Prince N. Bahati, Kenya
238.  Ramon Nunez III, USA
239.  Rebecca Giguere, USA 
240.  Remigus Emodi, Nigeria
241.  Rev. Charles Straight, USA
242.  Ricardo Jimenez, USA
243.  Richard Coover, USA
244.  Rita Lisa Labbett, US     
245.  Rob Camp, Spain
246.  Robert Aponte, USA
247.  Robert Birch, Canada
248.  Roger Cunha, USA
249.  Roger Pebody, UK         
250.  Roger Prasad, Canada
251.  Roger Tatoud, UK          
252.  Roy Wadia, India            
253.  Rukia Ahmed, Kenya
254.  S. Wakefield, USA
255.  Santiago Palomino, Peru
256.  Sasha Gear, South Africa
257.  Scot More, USA
258.  Scott Robertson, Zambia             
259.  Sedar, Benin
260.  Sergio Farfan, USA
261.  Shawn Decker, United States
262.  Shayna Buhler, Canada
263.  Shivani Thaker, USA
264.  Shreena, India 
265.  Sibusiso, South Africa
266.  Simon Odiwuor, Kenya
267.  Siobhan Fee, UK
268.  Solomon, Kenya
269.  Srun Srorn, Cambodia
270.  Steave Nemande, Cameroon
271.  Stephen Karpiak PhD, United States
272.  Stephen McGill, Liberia
273.  Stephen Miller-Zauner, USA
274.  Steve Miralles, Peru     
275.  Steven S. Muchnick, PhD
276.  Stuart Koe, Singapore
277.  Sue Saltmarsh, USA      
278.  Suman Nepal, Nepal
279.  Suraj Madoori, USA
280.  Susan Forrest, USA       
281.  Susan Lloyd Yolen, USA
282.  Susie Hoffman, USA
283.  Sylvie Rouby, France  
284.  Tendai F Mbengeranwa Mhaka, Zimbabwe
285.  Terence Roethlein, United States
286.  Teresa Springer, USA
287.  TG Green, USA
288.  Thandi Maluka, South Africa
289.  Theresa Rubin, USA      
290.  Thomas Haig, Canada
291.  Tiedjou Joseph Achille, Cameroon
292.  Timothy Frasca, USA     
293.  Timothy Kee, United States
294.  Titcha Ho, USA
295.  Trenado, France
296.  Trevor Pearson, USA
297.  Troy, USA
298.  Tung Duy Bui, Thailand
299.  Udom Likhitwonnawut, Thailand
300.  Vanessa Smith, USA
301.  Victor Rollins, Bahamas
302.  Vikram, USA
303.  Wanda Brendle-Moss, USA
304.  Wanda Commander, USA
305.  Will Wilson, USA
306.  William Booth, Canada
307.  Wolf Graf, Australia
308.  Yolanda, USA   
309.  Zoe Duby, South Africa
310.  Zoran Dominkovic, Croatia

Endorse. 

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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,200 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

*Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.

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African Common Position Paper Highlights Importance of Condom-Compatible Lubes and Rectal Microbicide Research

Our friends at AIDS Accountability International (AAI), in conjunction with The African Union Commission (AUC), recognised the need for greater African civil society organisation representation in the International Conference on Population Development (ICPD) process. So, tt was decided to create the African Common Position (ACP) on ICPD to reflect and include the perspectives, recommendations and expertise of African stakeholders.

The full ACP is available here. To sign on and endorse the Civil Society African Common Position please click here.

IRMA is excited to report that the need for safe, accessible, condom compatible lubricants as well as support for rectal microbicide research in Africa have been highlighted in the just completed African Common Position Paper (ACP) on ICPD. Our Project ARM - Africa for Rectal Microbicides effort is having an impact!

The specific sections on lube and rectal microbicides are as follows:

4.4.10. Recognise the need for further research into the role of anal and vaginal sexual lubricants for use as a tool to prevent HIV, STI’s and unplanned pregnancies, as well as its safety for users and compatibility with various other ingredients and condom varieties. Commit to making access to quality and affordable lubricants a reality for all people, as well as commit to funding for training and support for condom compatible lubricant use;

4.4.11. Train all health care workers, as well as procurement and head office ministry staff on new and evolving SRHR commodities especially with regard to HIV treatment and prevention technologies, this includes but is not limited to understanding the current vaginal and rectal micro-biocide and pre exposure prophylaxis fields in general and their specific programming implications for women and girls.

IRMA encourages you, or your organisation, to endorse the ACP. Click here to endorse.

Special thanks to IRMA member Tian Johsnon, one of the architects of Project ARM. His extraordinary leadership helped to make this happen. Kudos Tian!
Download the full African Common Position Paper here.

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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,200 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

*Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.

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Three Organisations Receive Support to Improve Lubricant Access in Africa

IRMA*, amfAR*, and AVAC* are delighted to announce that IRMA Nigeria (in partnership with International Center on Advocacy for the Right to Health), Stop AIDS in Liberia (SAIL), and an organisation in Zambia** have been awarded Global Lube Access Mobilisation (GLAM) funding to campaign for access to safe, condom-compatible lubricants in their communities.

Throughout the world, and especially in Africa, safe, condom-compatible lubricant (water- and silicone-based) is inaccessible for most people who engage in anal intercourse.  It is also inaccessible for women who engage in vaginal intercourse.  A number of analyses in various settings indicate that the use of oil-based products is the most common form of lubrication - and is known to significantly reduce condom effectiveness.  Faced with the lack of condom-compatible lubricants, people often resort to such products as body lotion, soap, cooking oil, spit, pre-cum, antibiotic creams, and even motor oil to provide lubrication during anal intercourse. This lack of appropriate lubricant products for people who practice anal and vaginal intercourse is unacceptable, when we know that they can keep condoms from breaking and slipping.

In December 2012, IRMA, amfAR, and AVAC launched "The GLAM Toolkit - Advocacy to improve access to safe, condom-compatible lubricant in Africa, Version 1.0".  The Toolkit is available here and offers tools and ideas for civil society and government partners to secure affordable and sustainable condom-compatible lubricant.  Tools include a fact sheet, case studies, the results of a review of African National and Strategic Plans on HIV/AIDS, and a list of proposed advocacy activities.

After the Toolkit launch, the group released a request for proposals targeted to community advocates and organisations in Africa interested in improving lube access.  Eighteen proposals were submitted from 11 African countries.

IRMA Nigeria, SAIL, and a Zambian organisation received the highest scores in a thorough evaluation process and began their lube access advocacy projects in April.  We wish them the best, and will keep you apprised of their efforts.  It is the hope the other groups will be able to learn from their work, and that one day all Africans who need safe, condom-compatible lubricants have easy, unfettered access to these critical commodities.

In the meantime, download a copy of the GLAM Toolkit to see what activities you can implement now in your own community.  Charting a course now for condom-compatible lube will assist in reducing the spread of HIV and other STIs, as well as pave the way for the eventuality of rectal microbicide access.

Learn more about GLAM here.

*IRMA - International Rectal Microbicide Advocates
*amfAR - The Foundation for AIDS Research
*AVAC - Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention

**At the request of the grantee, the organisation wishes to remain anonymous.

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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,100 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

*Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.

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Global Call to Action: Demand Answers on Lubricant Safety (Have You Endorsed Yet?)

Have you or your organization endorsed the Global Call to Action Demanding Answers on Lubricant Safety?

Since Valentine's Day, 140 organizations and 293 individuals in nearly fifty countries have endorsed the call to action - and numbers continue to grow! Please add your name if you haven’t already. Full lists of endorsers is below.

Background:

Recent studies have raised questions about the impact of sexual lubricants on the risk of acquiring HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

It is outrageous that more than 30 years into the HIV pandemic, we don’t know whether sexual lubricants increase, decrease or have no impact on the risk of acquiring HIV and other STIs. In fact, it is only recently that most advocates, HIV prevention workers, researchers and regulators have even realised that we don’t yet know the answers to these fundamental questions.

Today, there are only a few disparate studies related to lube safety underway. These studies do not form part of an overarching plan to answer questions about lubricant safety because there isn’t one.

This is unacceptable. We demand answers on lubricant safety.

Click here to endorse the call: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CalltoActionLubeSafety

We demand a Lubricant Safety Research Agenda and insist upon its quick implementation. We must know whether or not various types of sexual lubricants are safe for vaginal and rectal use. We must understand fully what impact they have on the risk of acquiring HIV and STIs.

•As advocates, funders, researchers, lubricant manufacturers and regulators, we are committed to come together to develop and implement a Lubricant Safety Research Agenda.

•As advocates, we support more research, funding, and collaboration to determine whether lubricants are safe.

•As funders, we will support the research and collaborative work required to determine whether lubricants are safe. Funding for lubricant safety research will not come out of budgets for microbicide research or other new prevention technologies.

•As researchers, we will conduct the appropriate studies required to determine whether lubricants are safe.

•As lubricant manufacturers, we will list the ingredients used to manufacture lubricants and work with researchers and regulators to ensure that our products are safe.

•As regulators, we will provide guidance into the research data required to ensure that lubricants available on the market are safe.

Endorse the Call to Action on Lubricant Safety

Men, women and transgender people from around the globe who engage in vaginal or anal intercourse deserve access to safe, condom-compatible sexual lubricants.

Please endorse this global Call to Action on Lubricant Safety. You may endorse the Call to Action as an individual or as an organization.

Click here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CalltoActionLubeSafety


Endorsements –  both lists in formation, next page

Anal Sex at Christmas Eve Dinner

by Mike Peters
IRMA intern

Another Christmas season has come and gone and like most Americans, the season ended for me with a gym membership (that I will admittedly abandon before the end of January) and reflection on the often-awkward gathering of family members that Christmas-time usually drops at our feet.

Christmas-time was a busy season for us this year. Early in December I accepted an internship with IRMA and spent most of the month learning about rectal microbicides in preparation for my January start date. On December 10th, my boyfriend and I announced our engagement to family, friends, and facebook. This also meant that it was time for me to meet his family. Early in the morning on December 22nd, we began the long car trip from Chicago to rural Pennsylvania. As stressful as it was, first impressions went well and my fiancé and I began to prepare for the long string of rather conservative family members that slowly made their way towards his parents’ home. There is a rather significant age gap in between generations in his family so most of our time was spent in the basement with his brothers and sister-in-law.

However, Christmas Eve dinner required our presence upstairs. Family members began to fill in seats, someone said grace, and soon food was being passed around the table. People were beginning to be comfortable enough with me that they started making jokes about what this “skinny vegetarian” was actually going to be able to eat and I started to feel at ease. My fiancé was right, his family liked me and I could stop worrying. Conversation continued to flow in between mouthfuls of stuffing and eventually one of his uncles turned to me and asked, “So Mike, what is it that you do?”

“Oh, I’m a grad student,” I replied.

“And you also started an internship” My fiancé’s mother excitedly added.

I smiled, “yeah, I’m an intern with IRMA at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago”. My fiancé smiled, reminding me that this was going well and that he was happy my confidence was starting to show again.

“So what’s IRMA? What are you going to be doing?” his uncle asked.

“Well, I don’t know all the details yet, but I know that primarily we are advocating for proper lubricants and the development of rectal microbicides that help prevent HIV infections for men and women who receive anal sex. I also know that we’re focusing on international contexts as well.” They remained quiet, so I kept talking, “you know, especially in countries where anal sex is so taboo that people can’t even talk about it. We want to let people know that plenty of women and men, gay, straight, or anything in between have anal sex and it’s completely normal and natural. You know, we want to deconstruct that silence,” I paused to take a drink as my mouth was starting to feel dry “because silence, well you know, sucks. The HIV/AIDS infection rate is rising in so many groups all over the world and if we can’t even talk about anal sex, how can we even stop that trend?”

Then I realized that everyone was staring directly at me. Under the table, I could feel that my nervous fiancé was now gripping my leg. I looked around, smiled awkwardly, and took a drink.

Suddenly I was saved by my fiancé’s mother, “well… that’s… interesting,” she quickly turned to her niece, “so did your son enjoy his Christmas presents?” Conversation began to flow naturally again, my fiancé released his grip on my leg, and my awkward smile became more natural.

I sat back in my chair and observed the conversation. I just openly talked about anal sex to a group of strangers that are soon to be my family. Did I really just do that? As I looked down at the mashed potatoes on my plate I began to worry that I had blown my first (possibly only) chance to get to know these people before the wedding.

As I sat there, slowly eating my remaining food I began to think about why the conversation was so awkward. I mean, I mentioned anal sex to a group of strangers… at the damn Christmas dinner table. But then I began to think more about when it would be appropriate to talk about anal sex to strangers, or family, or friends, or all of the above. And then, some part of me felt like it was not at all appropriate to talk about anal sex. The sex that I have is deeply personal and private, why should I talk about it?

Then I remembered a particular quote that I have always held dear:

“In the cause of silence, each of us draws the face of her own fear – fear of contempt, of censure, or some judgment, or recognition, of challenge, of annihilation. But most of all, I think, we fear the visibility without which we cannot truly live… The fact that we are here and that I speak these words is an attempt to break that silence and bridge some of those differences between us, for it is not difference which immobilizes us, but silence. And there are so many silences to be broken.” (Taken from Audre Lorde’s Transformation of Silence into Language and Action)

Was Lorde likely talking directly about anal sex? Well, no. I’m willing to bet that that was not the case. Yet Lorde’s discussion of silence is a necessary part of the dialog for advocacy on anal health. If people are unwilling to speak openly about anal sex for any of the fears that Lorde mentions, then as activists we neglect to confront the struggle that we seek to deconstruct. If we stay silent, then we are passively accepting the status quo; a hegemonic status quo, rigidly entrenched in patriarchy and heterosexism that ignores the gaps in research and advocacy for proper anal health for men and women who engage in anal sex.

For us, silence is dangerous. Silence relegates us to the status of “outsider”, to “unnatural”, and to “immoral” – and most importantly, silence robs us of the ability to live our lives as whole human beings. Silence is a luxury, that as activists, we are not yet able to have. We should continue speaking in an attempt to bridge those differences and deconstruct that status quo. Yeah, it is frightening, but if activism has taught me anything, it is that a fear that petrifies us into silence serves to perpetuate oppression.

So as I sat there, slowly eating my remaining meal, I felt a sense of triumph within myself. I broke a silence, even if it was for a moment. And you know what? It was not that bad. My fiancé’s family apparently finds me fascinating, if not spirited, and his mother appreciates my “spunk”, whatever that means. Oh, and the wedding is still on.

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*Join IRMA's robust, highly-active. moderated, global listserv addressing rectal microbicide research and advocacy as well as other interesting new HIV prevention technologies by contacting us at rectalmicro@gmail.com. Joining our listserv automatically makes you a member of IRMA - a network of more than 1,100 advocates, scientists, policy makers and funders from all over the world.

*Please look for us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/InternationalRectalMicrobicideAdvocates, and you can follow us on Twitter: @rectalmicro.

*Also, please note that shared news items from other sources posted on this blog do not necessarily mean IRMA has taken any position on the article's content.

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Activists Hopeful on Repealing Anti-Homosexuality Law in Jamaica

viaThe Guardian by Sarah Boseley

They are one of the world's most beleaguered gay communities, brutalised by violence, hounded by a law that makes homosexual acts a crime and driven into the shadows in a country where four in five people admit they are homophobic. But now gay people in Jamaica are cautiously optimistic that change may be in the air.

A new government has begun making noises about an end to discrimination and repealing an anti-gay law. Portia Simpson Miller, standing for election as prime minister in December, declared that "no one should be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation", and indicated she would be willing to have gay people in her cabinet. "I certainly do not pry or do not have any intention to pry into the private business of anyone," she said. She won by a landslide.

Maurice Tomlinson, a Jamaican law lecturer and legal adviser to the advocacy group Aids-Free World, says he is delighted by the change of mood – although it has yet to lift the sense of insecurity felt by Jamaica's gay community. Tomlinson, a prominent voice for gay rights on the island, has fled his home because of death threats that followed his marriage to his male partner in Canada after a picture was published in the Toronto Star.

"I was advised to go into hiding," said Tomlinson, in London to collect an award named after murdered Ugandan gay rights activist David Kato for his advocacy work. "I went into a safe house for about three days because my passport was with the UK high commission waiting for a visa to come here.

"Right now I'm not sure if I will be able to go back to teaching this semester."

Tomlinson says Jamaican police have told him that attitudes on the island are unfortunate but "will not change until the law changes".

Even so, he does not yet want the conscience vote on the sodomy law that the prime minister suggested during the election. "Over 80% of Jamaicans have identified as homophobic," he says. "We want more time to explain to the Jamaican people how harmful the law is."

He wants them to know that the law contributes to the spread of HIV, which has a 32% infection rate among gay men compared with 1.6% in Jamaica's general population. Fear of being attacked and murdered drives lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people to hide their sexuality. The prevalence of HIV puts them at risk but they do not get help to stay safe. Some gay men marry in a bid to seem straight to the outside world and that puts their wives and children at risk of HIV, says Tomlinson.

Read the Rest.



[If an item is not written by an IRMA member, it should not be construed that IRMA has taken a position on the article's content, whether in support or in opposition.]

Kenyan ex-pat (and IRMA Steering Committee Member) aims to help gay countrymen

[We are so proud of IRMA Steering Committee Larry Misedah - shown on the left in the pic below. His compelling story is a must-read. Of note, Larry will be joining a group of IRMA members in Addis Ababa this December for Project ARM - Africa for Rectal Microbicides organizing and strategizing activities taking place in advance of the ICASA 2011 conference.]


via Bay Area Reporter, by Heather Cassell

Excerpt:

Until recently, Kenyan LGBT individuals were isolated, believing they were the only ones in their community; some expressed the desire to take their own lives, said Misedah. Older gay and lesbian individuals were forced to marry people of the opposite sex. Younger queer Kenyans felt comfort from their problems with alcohol, said Misedah, who also felt the cold hand of isolation until he came out.

Coming out liberated Misedah, he no longer suffered from the isolation and instead became a beacon for others.

"I felt sort of obliged in order to speak for those who did not have a voice," said Misedah. "I just felt that we needed to speak more and let the society know the challenges that LGBTI people were facing."

He worked first with Ishtar MSM, one of Kenya's first organizations to provide health services to men who have sex with men. He served as the spokesman for Sexual Minorities Uganda's first media campaign. Misedah, in collaboration with IGLHRC, drafted the first Declaration on Transgender Rights for Central and East Africa in 2007 and continued to work on capacity building in Africa with IGLHRC. He spoke at the African AIDS conference in 2009.

Misedah, among others, risked the threat of up to 14 years of imprisonment under Kenya's penal codes sections 162 and 165 for attempted or homosexual behavior under "carnal knowledge against the order of nature."

Misedah, who came from a well-to-do family, found himself banished from his family and cut off from his educational support at the university, where he eventually obtained his bachelor's degree in environmental planning and management, he said.

Usually, families look the other way in regards to their LGBT family members who have financial resources and contribute to their families. Poor queer Kenyans, however, often find themselves in "deep trouble," said Misedah.

Read the rest.


[If an item is not written by an IRMA member, it should not be construed that IRMA has taken a position on the article's content, whether in support or in opposition.]

Fearing No Evil

Via Poz, by Regan Hofmann with Oriol R. Gutierrez Jr.

David Kuria works for the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya where he risks his life daily to provide safe sanctuary and advocacy for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Africa and around the world.

Now, he is running for Kenya’s Senate. A basic tenet of his work is showing that a global push for gay rights helps bolster the fight against HIV. His dream? A day when no LGBT person has to choose between being openly gay—or being killed.

In October 2009, David Bahati, a member of Uganda’s parliament, proposed an “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” (a.k.a. the “kill the gays bill”). It was an attempt to legalize a phenomenon spreading around the world: hate crimes against gay people.

Homosexuality is currently illegal in Uganda (and can result in up to a 14-year jail sentence); Bahati’s proposed bill intensifies the criminalization of homosexuality by introducing the death penalty for people who have previous convictions, are HIV positive, or engage in same-sex acts with people younger than 18. The bill also includes provisions for Ugandans who engage in same-sex relations outside the country—people can be sent back to Uganda for punishment.

Not that there are many safe places to go; laws against same-sex relations exist in nearly 80 countries. Finally, the bill outlines penalties for individuals, companies, media organizations or nongovernmental organizations that support LGBT rights. (As in, if you know your neighbor’s gay and don’t say so, you can get into huge trouble yourself.) It engenders nothing short of a witch hunt.

Read the rest

[If an item is not written by an IRMA member, it should not be construed that IRMA has taken a position on the article's content, whether in support or in opposition.]