Fridae

Although HIV/Aids cases are remaining fairly constant in China, HIV prevalence among gay men is rising.

173 new HIV infections in fist quarter of the year, second only to 195 cases between July and September last year, according to the South China Morning Post.

Thai authorities are raising awareness about HIV and encourage testing among gay men and transgender people by embarking on new and novel campaigns that include bare-chested male models in a glitzy ballroom dancing to house music while dozens of young gay men get their blood tested.

A voluntary organization working with people living with HIV is embarking on a new online campaign to help build supportive social environments and combat HIV discrimination against gay, transgender men and women in Thailand.

  Criminalization of groups such as gay men, sex workers and transgender people are threatening progress in the global effort to fight AIDS, South Asian participants tell the 20th International AIDS Conference in Australia.

Trial tests for an anti-HIV gel for gay and transgender people are taking place in Thailand to find a way to help curb the spread of infection.

Despite the government's pro-gay stance, society's marginalizing and prejudice against men who have sex with men put them at a greater risk of contracting HIV, says UNAIDS.

In the last two years, three internet surveys in Europe, the USA and Asia asked over 200,000 gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) about sex, safety and stigma. Gus Cairns looks at some of the data, and finds a mix of the expected and unexpected and some challenging findings for HIV prevention.

The sell out event will see the premiere of Anniversary, a specially commissioned short film by celebrated filmmaker Royston Tan and writer Alfian Sa'at, and an auction of specially conceptualised artwork by fashion photographers Chuando and Frey.

Programme Director Raymond Tai takes time out from organising its annual RED Carnival to speak to Fridae about reaching young MSMs who "suffer from the 'not me' syndrome" and the challenges they face with the rise of political Islam.