Staying Negative aims to emotionally engage, inspire and facilitate imagination in sexual health practices. The campaign profiles the real life stories of gay, bisexual and trans men who have sex with men (MSM). Men talk about all aspects of their life from coming out, relationships, sexuality and a broad range of other topics. While HIV and safe sex is an important part of all stories, it is not the exclusive focus.
Prior HIV prevention campaigns have traditionally focused on providing gay men with information that will encourage them to adopt safe sex behaviours. In reality, safe sex practices are influenced by a whole range of environmental and cultural factors. The campaign also provides an opportunity for HIV positive men to talk about their lives and discuss how their strategies to staying HIV negative were not successful. We understand that there is more than one way practice safe sex and adopt healthcare seeking behaviours, so let's be creative about it!
There are no real criteria for participants other than that they are MSM and happy to have their stories appear as part of the campaign. In addition to the personal stories, the website provides information on HIV/AIDS, sexual health, relationships and broad of the other relevant topics including domestic violence, drugs and alcohol and depression.
Saunas can be fun because you’re allowed to only wear a towel or sometimes even nothing at all! You can fully check out how hot a guy is without having to try too hard but some guys may not like this as it leaves nothing to the imagination. There’s often a cover charge for entry into the sauna and you’re provided with a locker and a towel. It’s recommended that you have a shower before you enter the sauna and after you have sex with someone for general hygiene (and good manners). There will be private cubicles, some with vinyl-covered mattresses or dark corners where you can get it on with someone or with a few people at the same time! Remember to respect people’s rights to privacy and don’t ruin the mood for everyone by making lots of noise, laughing really loudly or just being a general nuisance.