There are crazy mixed messages from gay and lesbian groups and HIV organisations about the prevention of HIV, drugs, and responsibility. Australia's strategy drifts to a different direction to the US. Even organisations are scratching each other's eyes out.

In the meantime, the US gay and lesbian Health and HIV centres have sued Pfizer for promoting Viagra claiming that this in combination with Crystal Meth Amphetamines, will encourage unsafe sex practices:

http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?2007/01/22/3

Meanwhile, back at the ranch at bareback mountain, bug catchers are getting political. They now have "gifting" parties where those who are HIV negative can be given "the gift". They claim it is their right and they chase the bug deliberately. The internet makes it easier for them to meet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrmccJkfApg

In the US, their organisations claim that crystal meth = death, no questions asked. That is how they sued a huge multination drug company. In Australia, our AIDS organisations in Sydney alone receive at least 90 million dollars from tax payers, and print manuals on how to use Crystal meth "safely".

Then the AIDS council of NSW Government funded, puts their stamp of approval on sex venues, places where sex practices are a production line. Their logo is on the advertisements claiming "ACON approved". The problem is, the same venues have notice boards promoting barebacking, gifting parties and phone numbers for "bug catchers".

http://www.evolutionpublishing.com.au/sxnews/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1381&Itemid=41

What a mess. Even Dr Garrett Prestage, a lecturer at the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, claims that Sydney's crisis is at sub Saharan levels.

http://www.evolutionpublishing.com.au/sxnews/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1280&Itemid=41

ACON claims that lower HIV sero-conversions in tests in NSW shows their success. The truth is, people are so lazy, they are not even getting tested in the first place in Sydney. Of course they are lower.

What a mess!

Yes, Fletch, some HIV-positive people are behaving dangerously, and not just homosexuals - http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21145986-2702,00.html

You’ll note from the second SX article you quoted that that publication’s condemnation of this behaviour is costing it money. I mention this as an example of how the gay community is condemning the practices you mentioned, and working to stop them.

Your comment that “the truth is, people are so lazy, they are not even getting tested in the first place in Sydney” is completely unfounded. You have provided links relating to your other assertions, but for this there is none, with good reason. There simply is no data on which you could have based this.

The source for the information about the reduction in HIV infection rates is not ACON. As a notifiable disease, statistics on HIV/AIDS in Sydney are maintained by the NSW Department of Health.

The statistics are genuine, and the drop in HIV infections in Sydney is real (though obviously there is further to go - http://www.ssonet.com.au/display.asp?ArticleID=6132). Sydney is the only place in Australia where HIV infection rates have dropped, most likely because the work of community organisations has helped to bring this about.

Garrett Prestage’s sub-saharan line, following Paul Keating’s banana republic example, was an attempt to re-ignite some fear. Now that in Australia HIV is not often a terminal disease, there is a need to raise awareness that there are still huge costs in becoming infected.

Fortunately the government has recognised the need for another national campaign to complement community efforts, in order to reach a wider group of men who have sex with men (i.e. those who don’t necessarily identify as gay, and who have little contact with inner-city gay communities).

You can help by refraining from unfounded generalisations, and noting that the gay community is striving (with a little success) to guide the small number of irresponsible people living with HIV/AIDS.

I'm fully aware, w, that ACON NSW, a gay and lesbian "in club", does not keep figures at all. They just use figures from the centre for Epidemiology, have meetings to design conferences, conferences to discuss meetings, and in the end, they print LEAFLETS. Yeah, posters and leaflets will solve all the problems. Even if the information is shifty and useless, particularly in regards to Crystal Meth. The US has been more honest about the situation.

The figures that AIDS organisations and centres of epidemiology in Australia release are selective to say the least. How can the situation be on "sub Sahara levels" one day, and then on a really low level, an outcome of profound success the next day? There is a contraction within the same time period. Some one is telling an untruth.

It is interesting that you are so defensive about ACON.

I expect all kinds of accusations from the ACON / ALP scams : )

Your militant respect for your "experts" over responses to what other people write is interesting.

The "generalisation" that you accuse me of I did not make up myself.

As to claiming that I made up the figures: that less people are being tested these day, well, w, this is from information off the record from clinics around Sydney. It is difficult to hide figures in Sydney even when they are not disclosed. If they are not disclosed, then I can't disclose them either. We all know they are there.

The Government funding bodies even know. They just don't want to think about it.

I'm not even in the Gay community, w, and even I know.

BTW W, the comment about SX Sydney:

"You’ll note from the second SX article you quoted that that publication’s condemnation of this behaviour is costing it money".

I did hear that this publication got many threats, some death threats, and AIDS organisations pulled their advertising for a few months to punish them for telling the truth. It did cost SX money for the wrong reasons.

It makes you wonder if there really is a gay mafia. That is how ACON, and their friends in SSO, the paper that you quote, behave.

Amazing what information you find from drinking a few lattes around Sydney. I'm only observing from the side. What a stunning little war you guys have created for yourselves.

BOAZ, runner and coach are going to love this one.

“There are crazy mixed messages from gay and lesbian groups and HIV organisations about the prevention of HIV, drugs, and responsibility.”

That’s all you can expect from crazy mixed up perverts who still deny that they are entirely responsible for the disease which they have passed onto normal, if irresponsible, people.

No sympathy deserved.

Bit harsh