People living with HIV (PLHIV) no longer need to live in fear of having an active sex life. Over time research has evolved and there is now a number of ways PLHIV can protect their sexual partners from contracting HIV. These strategies include:
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Undetectable viral load
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Treatment as prevention (TasP)
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Undetectable = Untransmissible (U=U)
Starting Antiretroviral therapy early and maintaining control of viral load helps prevent the risk of passing on HIV. In other words if someone is HIV+ and has an undetectable viral load it is virtually impossible to pass on the virus.
QC is a partner of the Prevention Access Campaign which is a multi-agency health equity initiative to end the dual epidemics of HIV and HIV-related stigma by expanding access to HIV prevention and empowering people with and vulnerable to HIV with accurate and meaningful information about their social, sexual, and reproductive health.
Prevention Access Campaign’s Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) is a community of HIV advocates, activists, researchers, and community partners around the world uniting to clarify and disseminate the revolutionary but largely unknown fact that people living with HIV on effective treatment do not sexually transmit HIV.
U=U was launched in early 2016 by a group of people living with HIV who created a groundbreaking consensus statement with global experts to clear up confusion about risk and to clarify the science of U=U. That Statement was the genesis of the U=U movement that is sharing the U=U message to dismantle HIV stigma, improve the lives of people living with HIV, and bring us closer to ending the epidemic.
TasP - Treatment as Prevention
PrEP is a prevention strategy where HIV-negative people take medication to prevent HIV infection. Taking PrEP is as simple as taking one pill a day.
ComePrepd is a community-driven HIV prevention campaign by QC to raise awareness of PrEP.
For more information, please visit the ComePrepd website.
ComePrepd
Let’s Treat Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmissible infection (STI) caused by the bacteria Treponema Pallidum and is spread through oral, anal, and genital contact.
QC and Queensland Positive People (QPP) have worked together to create campaigns and a website.
For more information, please visit the Let's Treat Syphilis website.
MPOX
Historical Health Promotion
Gay & Bi Men, and Men Who Have Sex with Men
From our inception with our LGBTIQ+ communities, QC has a long history of working with and promoting positive change to health and wellbeing for our communities.
Please enjoy some historical resources below to look back on from part of our organisation’s journey.
If you or anyone you know has more information or would like to discuss our history, please feel free to get in contact with us.
Definitions
Our communities are diverse in their attractions and relationships. At QC, we are community-led and community informed and we acknowledge that language is continually evolving. It’s important for us to recognise, hold space and make visible the diverse relationships our communities hold, and realise that different relationships and attractions require different supports.
Our definitions below are there to help start to define what diverse sexualities and relationships mean for folk who identify as men in our communities, Gay, Bisexual, Pansexual and Asexual men.
Gay Men
Gay: a man who is primarily attracted, emotionally and sexually, to a person of the same gender. This term is predominantly used when referring to men. Not all same-gender attracted men will use the term ‘Gay.’
Bisexual (Bi) Men
Bisexual (Bi): an individual who is primarily attracted, emotionally and sexually, to more than one gender. Not all multi-gender attracted people will use the term Bisexual.
Additional definitions our communities talk about in this space
Pansexual (Pan): A person who experiences sexual attraction regardless of gender. This is sometimes used interchangeably with Bisexual.
Asexual: Someone who experience little or no sexual attraction to others. Asexual people can often experience other forms of attraction.
Men who have Sex with Men
At QC, we are deeply committed to our diverse communities. We understand that language and relationships are always evolving, and we strive to recognise and support the unique connections our community members share. For men who have sex with men (MSM), we know that specific, compassionate support is crucial for their health and well-being.
The World Health Organization highlights that MSM face significant health challenges, including higher rates of HIV, hepatitis C, and syphilis. Unfortunately, stigma, discrimination, and criminalisation in some areas make accessing care even harder. WHO and its partners are working tirelessly to improve prevention, testing, and treatment for these communities while also tackling these structural barriers.
At QC, we are dedicated to reaching out to MSM with care and respect. Through our public health efforts, we aim to minimise the transmission of HIV and other STIs, ensuring that everyone in our community has access to the support they need to thrive.
Additional Support
Remember, if you or anyone you know is feeling distress at any time, there are some helpful contacts listed below for you:
24/7 national crisis line support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Beyond Blue
24 hours a day, 7 days a week