Safe sex leaders

The Herald highlights the importance of correct and consistent condom use to control HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, it neglects to note the recent global consensus led by UNAIDS and the World Health Organisation in 2015 recommending that countries also adopt HIV-treatment-based approaches to reverse their HIV epidemics. This is a both/and approach, not either/or trade-off.

Contrary to the Herald’s insinuation that gay men are disengaged with safe sex, gay men have been leaders at safe sex research, promotion and practice for 30 years in their roles as scientists, advocates and community members.

Consequently, most studies show that gay men use condoms more often and are more likely to test for HIV and other STIs compared with the general population. And many gay men who aren’t consistent condom users report behaviours that minimise HIV transmission risks with their partners.

On the other hand, condom use among heterosexual New Zealanders is poorer, and we see high rates of teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea and, at least until government-funded vaccination programmes, high rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection that can cause cancer.

Auckland’s Pride festival celebrates values such as equity, fairness, diversity and inclusion. Rather than point fingers, the Herald could reflect on how the Government, Pharmac and the DHBs might support all New Zealanders to experience sexual intimacy legally, consensually and without fear of infection. Dr Peter Saxton, School of Population Health, University of Auckland.