Times: Dating app blamed for HIV surge

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20151004/local/dating-app-blamed-for-hiv-surge.586831
Sunday, October 4, 2015, 07:52 by Ariadne Massa



Grindr, a men-only dating app used for casual sexual encounters, is one of the factors fuelling the record surge in new HIV cases this year, according to Mater Dei Hospital’s infection specialist.

Forty-six new HIV cases were registered in the first nine months of this year – three more than all of 2014 – and 90 per cent of these were gay men, mainly aged between 30 and 50.

“People are having unprotected casual sex, and these geosocial apps, where you can seek an anonymous partner close by… are contributing to it. This is a phenomenon being witnessed across Europe and the US,” Dr Charles Mallia Azzopardi said.

Times: Majority of clinic visitors did not use condoms

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20151003/local/majority-of-clinic-visitors-did-not-use-condoms.586729
Saturday, October 3, 2015, 00:01 by Ariadne Massa



Just over half of those visiting the GU Clinic at Mater Dei Hospital this year played Russian roulette and indulged in unprotected sex, while another 35 per cent admitted to only “sometimes” using a condom, according to the latest figures.

Health Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne said in the first eight months of this year, 1,942 patients visited the Genitourinary Clinic.

Medical Daily: New HIV Vaccine Proves Successful In Phase 1 Human Trial

http://www.medicaldaily.com/new-hiv-vaccine-proves-successful-phase-1-human-trial-255439
Sep 4, 2013 10:55 AM By Susan Scutti

Canadian researchers have developed the first genetically modified, whole-killed HIV vaccine, which has successfully passed Phase 1 human trials. 

Robert O'Dell, US Navy

A vaccine for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has proved successful in a Phase 1 clinical trial with no adverse effects in human patients, Sumagen Canada Inc. and Western University of Ontario announced today. The vaccine, which was developed by Dr. Chil-Yong Kang and his team, is the first genetically modified, whole-killed vaccine to be approved for testing in humans.

Times: Homosexuality not a disease

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150826/blogs/homosexuality-not-a-disease.582025
Wednesday, August 26, 2015, 10:48 by Ramona Depares

Patrick Pullicino’s opinion piece on today’s issue of the newspaper (read here: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150826/opinion/the-ethics-of-gay-conversion.581963) shocked and disgusted me. Masquerading as an objective analysis of ‘gay conversion’ – I thought we had all agreed this is not actually a thing? – Mr Pullicino’s piece reads like it is taken straight out of a medieaval Malta, when witch-doctors ruled the day and rhino testicles were used to cure anything from the common cold to gangrene.

Weddings-Malta: Stylish Civil Unions & Honeymoons

http://www.weddings-malta.com/fairs-events/stylish
September 2015

On the 10th and 11th October 2015 at Stylish Civil Unions & Honeymoons you will meet gay-friendly vendors who are ready, willing and able to make wedding dreams come true whether its bride-bride or groom-groom! In addition, you will be able to save money too.

Civil unions carry the same needs as traditional weddings and the Stylish Civil Unions & Honeymoons is an excellent opportunity for attendees to meet face-to-face with many businesses that provide the professional services you need in planning this special occasion.

Our exhibitors will be offering planning ideas, free samples, and much more! – from gowns, suits, planners, caterers, florists, cake companies, rings, venues, invitations, photographers, entertainers, financial and legal consultants, transport, honeymoon destinations and other professional wedding services, you will find everything you are looking for to prepare for the big day in style.

Many of the exhibitors will have special packages available for this event.

To enquire about stand prices and to receive a copy of the floor plan please contact Chrystelle Doublesin on +356 22911061 or email weddings@phoeniciamalta.com

  

The Exhibitors

CLICK HERE to know more about the carefully selected exhibitors for the 2015 edition of Stylish

The Location

Stylish Civil Unions and Honeymoons will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Phoenicia, entrance from Great seige road.

Hotel Phoenicia
The Mall
Floriana
Malta

Malta Today: 1980s ban on gay blood next taboo in line of fire

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/lifestyle/health/56424/1980s_ban_on_gay_blood_next_taboo_in_line_of_fire#.VeF3zyXs5hc

The issue was recently raised by the government’s LBTIQ consultative committee in an action plan that proposes to address the ban, originally introduced because men having sex with men had a higher risk of HIV infection than heterosexuals. 

29 August 2015, 7:30am by Martina Borg



The lifetime ban on sexually active gay men remains a controversial aspect of medical norms in a society that is otherwise now geared towards more equal rights for gay people, and scuttling the prejudice they face in daily life.

The issue was recently raised by the government’s LBTIQ consultative committee in an action plan that proposes to address the ban, originally introduced because men having sex with men had a higher risk of HIV infection than heterosexuals.

MGRM: Celebrating Difference

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150810/opinion/Celebrating-difference.580043
Monday, August 10, 2015, 00:01 by Gabi Calleja

In his opinion piece of August 4, Ivan Fenech reacted to the donation of a number of educational resources by MGRM to schools. Most of these resources involved storybooks that are aimed at kindergarten and primary school children but they also included library books for adolescents and a teacher training DVD.

Fenech’s claim was that such storybooks were confusing to children and an assault on traditional models of the family. However, in no way did he substantiate his views.

BBC News: HIV flushed out by cancer drug

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-33720325
31 July 2015, By James GallagherHealth and science reporter, BBC News website


HIV can be flushed out of its hiding places in the body using a cancer drug, researchers show.

The cornerstone of treatment, anti-retroviral therapy, kills the virus in the bloodstream but leaves "HIV reservoirs" untouched.

The study, published in PLoS Pathogens, showed the drug was "highly potent" at reactivating hidden HIV.

Pink News: Comment: Why we shouldn’t judge African countries by their anti-gay laws

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/08/12/comment-why-we-shouldnt-judge-african-countries-by-their-anti-gay-laws/
12th August 2015, 9:39 AM by Oliver Kasin



Oliver Kasin feared coming out in Malawi - but felt liberated when he did (Oliver Kasin)

Oliver Kasin writes for PinkNews about coming out in Malawi and the reaction he received from its people.

Malawi doesn’t do particularly well in the press in relation to its LGBT rights. In fact, it was only in April 2015 that another law called the “Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Law” came into effect, a law that stigmatises the LGBT community by defining what marriage is and strengthening the notion that cohabiting relationships should be between a man and woman only.

Times: No child’s fairyland

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150804/opinion/no-childs-fairyland.579245
Tuesday, August 4, 2015, 00:01 by Ivan Fenech


Two of the books donated to government schools by the Malta Gay Rights Movement.

When things reach a point where you cannot send your children to school without fear that they may have their minds confused, you know that something has gone terribly wrong with this country’s education system.

Last week, as it has been saying it would do for months, the Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) presented books to Education Minister Evarist Bartolo for distribution in government schools, including kindergartens.