Healthy and Gay in Cambodia

Buddhism and homosexuality Overview. Argument from basic principles.

2011-02-17T00:39:00.000-08:00

"LGBT" refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered persons and transsexuals.

Overview:

Apparently, the Buddha did not leave any specific teachings on either homosexual orientation or homosexual behavior. He strongly encouraged his followers to be independent, to "be a lamp onto yourself." That is, to examine and test the truth of religious teachings before accepting them.

Buddhism is most concerned with whether an action is helpful, based on good intentions, and free from harm. Thus, a specific activity can sometimes be either permissible or not permissible, depending upon its context. This differs from the positions taken by conservative faith groups within Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, etc. They often evaluate a specific sexual activity itself, and decide whether it is good or evil according to a system of morality derived from that group's interpretation of their holy text(s). Often the nature of the relationship is immaterial.

For more details:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_budd0.htm

Srorn

The Coming out in the Kingdom: Lesbian & Gay

2011-02-17T00:23:00.000-08:00

CCHR releases report examining the situation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, December 9 -- The Cambodian Center for Human Rights (“CCHR”) today releases a report entitled Coming out in the Kingdom: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Cambodia (the “Report”). The Report is the first publication produced by the LGBT Rights Project (the “Project”) implemented by CCHR and supported by the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education.

There have only been a small number of studies of the situation of LGBT people in Cambodia to date. Most of these have focused on health issues related to sexual behavior. This Report looks at the current situation for LGBT people in Cambodia from a human rights perspective, noting that LGBT people are entitled to exactly the same human rights as others in the community. The research in the Report was supported by interviews with approximately 60 LGBT Cambodians, conducted in September and October 2010. The interviews took place in Phnom Penh, Kandal, Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Takeo, and Sihanoukville. CCHR met with interviewees in both groups and on a one-on-one basis. The interview structure was informal. The Report notes that LGBT Cambodians face unique challenges, including ostracism from their families and communities, which often leads to economic hardship, as well as discrimination from employers and authorities such as the police.

CCHR hopes that the Report will serve as a useful tool for raising awareness about the challenges facing LGBT Cambodians today and encouraging acceptance of LGBT people in families and communities throughout Cambodia. CCHR will continue to work with LGBT individuals and groups to support them in their efforts to document and report discrimination and abuse and advocate for recognition of their fundamental human rights. The Report is available to view or download in Khmer and English on the Cambodian Human Rights portal www.sithi.org and on the CCHR website www.cchrcambodia.org.

http://www.sithi.org/temp.php?url=media_view.php&mid=4050&publication=1&

For more information, please contact:

Srorn Srun
Project Coordinator, LGBT Rights Project
Cambodian Center for Human Rights
Tel: +855 81 202 444
Email: srornsrun@cchrcambodia.org

"Cambodian Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transsexual and Transgender"

2010-09-01T19:07:00.000-07:00

Healthy LGBT is not mean Health Diseases but about Human Rights Equality!
This is event:
Human Rights for Everyone:
Celebrating Cambodia’s LGBT Community on International Day Against
Homophobia and Transphobia
The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (“IDAHO”) is celebrated every year
on 17th May. It is coordinated by the Paris-based IDAHO Committee founded and presided over
by the French academic and gay rights activist Louis-Georges Tin. 17th May was chosen as the day
for the event because it marks the date in 1992 that homosexuality was removed from the
International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization. IDAHO is celebrated in
more than 50 countries around the world. Cambodia’s Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
(“LGBT”) community and its supporters will come together to celebrate IDAHO as part of
Cambodian Pride Week 2010.

Taza Cafe is a place where LGBT can find a private rooms to chat, share experience and well serve with excellent food and coffee by our profesionals!

2010-08-01T01:04:00.000-07:00

COME JOIN US ON TAZA CAFÉ’S OPENING DAY ON
MONDAY, August 2, 2010! WE’LL BE OFFERING 20% DISCOUNTS
OFF OF ANY PURCHASES MADE. OFFER WILL LAST FROM August 2 TO AUGUST 30, 2010.

TAZA CAFÉ is Phnom Penh’s newest and hottest café deli where we serve not only great coffee and tea, but also sell fantastic Asian and European food. While the typical cafés around Cambodia only boast about their coffee and building fixtures, we however offer much more than gimmicks and the ordinary. Some of the key features of TAZA CAFÉ are fast & free Wi-Fi, delicious Khmer and foreign food for breakfast and lunch, international TV programs/news broadcast, art hall, small library, educational classes (i.e. English language, computer literacy), and most uniquely, LGBT support services for the community! Our overall aim is to provide a friendly, comfortable, productive and educational environment for everyone. Come visit us!

Sexual and Reproductive Health are Recognized around the World as Human Rights

2010-07-24T00:15:00.000-07:00

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&as_q=to+be+healthy+as+human+being&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&num=10&lr=&as_filetype=pdf&ft=i&as_sitesearch=&as_qdr=all&as_rights=&as_occt=any&cr=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&safe=images

Coming out in Phnom Penh

2010-07-24T00:05:00.000-07:00

Weeklong LGBT Pride Festival celebrates the Kingdom’s homosexual culture

Drag divas Deedee (left) and Oak perform at Phnom Penh’s Blue Chilli bar in August 2008. The gay-friendly bar scene has heated up in the city in the past several years.PHNOM Penh is hosting its seventh annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Festival until May 17, a weeklong event that celebrates LGBT culture and provides practical support for those in the gay community.

Over the past few years, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have seen the opening of an increased number of gay bars, and last year’s festival was attended by 50 women from the provinces, perhaps showing that “open” gay culture is not only limited to the cities.

Cambodia, along with other predominantly Buddhist countries, enjoys a reputation for tolerance and acceptance of homosexuality.

In some ways gender and sexuality are more fluid here than in Western societies. There are considered to be three genders: male, female and khtuey. Generally speaking, khtuey refers to men with feminine characteristics who are also usually gay.

When people talk about Khmer culture being accepting of homosexuality, what they’re usually referring to is khtuey, which actually represents only a small section of the LGBT community.

When compared to other Asian countries, Cambodia has a less draconian stance. In January of this year, for example, Beijing authorities closed down the Mr Gay pageant an hour before it was due to start, confirming that China’s attitude towards the gay community is undecided at best.

Meanwhile, there hasn’t been any official opposition to the Kingdom’s Pride Festival, but ongoing “morality” crackdowns are sporadic and unpredictable, with the definition of immorality ever-changing.

Tolerant views of the LGBT community are not shared by everyone. The lack of public hostility and aggression toward LGBT people does not mean that homosexuality is widely accepted in Cambodia or that discrimination does not take other forms.

Homosexuality has never been illegal in Cambodia, but there are currently no laws protecting people against discrimination based on their sexual orientation, and ignorance can lead to victimisation of LGBT people by others.

“Sometimes people will say rude or hurtful things, but they don’t think they’re discriminating,” said Lang, a student in Phnom Penh.

Many believe that being gay is accepted in Khmer culture but only when it’s presented in a way that does not threaten the traditional family structure.

“My family don’t know I’m living with another woman,” said Heng, a bar worker.

“If they did I don’t think they would talk to me anymore.”

But a handful of activists in the LGBT community are working to educate the public about homosexuality. One of the festival organisers, Srorn Srun, is a project manager for Marie Stopes International, which offers vital sexual health services, including HIV/AIDS referrals and advocacy work for gay men.

“There needs to be more focus on the causes of HIV/AIDS in the gay population. In our advocacy work we try and educate people about what it is to be gay and encourage communities to be accepting,” says Srorn Srun.

Srorn Srun said the situation is particularly difficult for gay women because they keep their sexuality a secret and face more societal and family pressure to get married and follow convention. Lesbians and transgender people in particular lack support in areas that don’t affect gay men. For example, unlike men, who can marry and have gay relationships, it is very difficult for a married woman to have the same autonomy outside the home.

“I know a lot of gay men who are married. I don’t know any lesbians who are. Once they’re married there’s no opportunity for them to meet other lesbians,” said the owner of a gay bar in Phnom Penh.

For more: http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2010051139002/Lifestyle/coming-out-in-phnom-penh.html

Healthy People Companion Document for Lesbian, Gay, Bixesual, and Transgender (LGBT) Health

2010-06-09T02:14:00.000-07:00

C o n t e n t s:

I n t r o d u c t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1
Access to Quality Health Services. . . . . .. . . 2 7
C a n c e r.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 7
Educational and Community-Based Programs. .. . . . . . . . . . . . 11 2
Health Communication.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 5 1
H I V / A I D S . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7 2
Immunization and Infectious Diseases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9 7
Mental Health and Mental Disorders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 5
Nutrition and We i g h t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 4 0
Public Health Infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5 8
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (Infections) . . . . . . . . . 2 9 8
Substance A b u s e. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 0
Tobacco Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 5 2
Violence Prevention. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 7 6
A p p e n d i c e s
Appendix A: Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 417
Appendix B: Acronyms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435
Appendix C: LGBT Definitions .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 443
Appendix D: Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 451
Appendix E: Contributors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 477

For the detail document please visit http://www.glma.org/_data/n_0001/resources/live/HealthyCompanionDoc3.pdf

Result of An LGBT Workshop!

2010-05-30T03:43:00.000-07:00

WORKSHOP REPORT
Rainbow Community Kampuchea (RoCK)
‘What is life like for LGBT in Cambodia?’ – 9-11th March 2010

Workshop participants
Over 100 hundred participants gathered in Men’s Health Cambodia (MHC) to be part of the 3 day workshop. A group of six participants came from 13 provinces, a larger number of twenty-two came from Phnom Penh and some MSM NGOs sent staff to facilitate and learn. The provinces were:
 Kompong Chnang, Siem Reap, Kompong Speu, Banteay Meanchey, Takeo, Kompong Som, Kandal, Battambang, Kompong Cham, Svay Rieng, Prey Veng, Kampot, Pursat and Phnom Penh city.
Participating and supporting NGOs were:
 Men’s Health Cambodia (MHC); Men’s Health Social Services (MHSS); Family Health International (FHI); Building Community Voice (BCV); Social Action for Change (SAC); KHANA, Women’s Network for Unity (WNU); BC, CUD.
It was the first time such a workshop has taken place in Cambodia, bringing together a mixed group of lesbian, gay and transgender people to share experiences.
For the lesbians from the provinces, it was certainly the first time- apart from Cambodia Pride 2009 when lesbians from five provinces participated- that they had been invited to be part of such a workshop.

For more go to www.phnompenhpride.blogspot.com

Love Who You Are! Life Is Beautiful!

2010-05-03T01:23:00.000-07:00

One Week LGBT Pride 2010 In Phnom Penh!

You need more details please link to www.phnompenhpride.blogspot.com.

Cambodia Pride Week 2010

2010-03-16T06:53:00.000-07:00

We are proud to officially announce that plans for Cambodia Pride 2010 are well underway!

As with last year we will celebrate Cambodia Pride from the 11th-17th May, to coincide with International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) 2010.

We have a busy team of Cambodian and international volunteers working hard to make Cambodia Pride 2010 even more fabulous than 2009, if that’s possible! So get your dancing shoes on and get ready to paint Phnom Penh pink once again with a fab line- up of activities!

Pride last year was possible with the generous support from the LGBT groups and individuals from all over the globe from America to Russia to India. We would welcome support again, whether financial, technical or just a email to share the love ;o) Here are some ways….

• Can you volunteer any technical skills? Designing posters, DJs, dancers, photographers, camera crews, artists and fundraisers- please do share your time and skills with us!
• We need Cambodian LGBT volunteers, please contact us if you want to be involved and join our team!
• If you are a member of an LGBT group business, please consider running a fundraiser for us.
• Pride is a voluntary group and we rely on donations to keep events free for local LGBT- if you can make a donation towards this, it would be hugely appreciated by us.
• If you have any bright ideas or suggestions please let us know! And please invite all your LGBT friends to join the group, or anyone else who feels the Pride love!

Please watch this space this updates, as soon as the line-up in decided we will let you know. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible. Please contact us on facebook or email cambodiapride@hotmail.com .

Lots of love from

The Pride Committee xxx

2010-02-26T00:43:00.000-08:00

Sharing your life as LGBT in your community in Cambodia

2010-02-25T00:21:00.000-08:00

Cambodia Pride Week 2009

During February-May 2009 a loose alliance of lgbt Cambodians, ex-patriots, NGO workers (working with MSM/HIV/AIDS NGOs) and gay business-owners worked together to plan and hold the first week-long Cambodia Pride 12-17^th May 2009 (supported in part by British Embassy funds). This was the 5^th Pride event in Cambodia but the first to last a week and embrace a range of activities and actors.

Following a successful week of events (workshops, art exhibition, film festival, social nights and networking) those involved have reflected on the experience and found lots of possibilities for building on Cambodia Pride week. Apart from large numbers of Cambodian lgbt enthusiastically participating in Pride week, the week highlighted both the level of willingness for activism and the level of need which exists in Cambodia’s still fledgling lgbt community and movement.

What services do exist for the community predominantly cater for MSM, or men who have sex with men, some of whom are gay. For Cambodian transgender few services exist beyond sexual health and safe sex support. Human rights abuses suffered by the trans community- who often earn a living as sex workers due to limited employment options- regularly go unreported and victims receive limited support due to a lack of resources and services, as well as a challenging human rights context.

Very little exists for lesbians. In fact this was one of the great successes of Cambodia Pride week as over 50 lesbians from 5 provinces traveled to PP to take part in the weekend section. They attended workshops and witnessed the level of organising currently in place for MSM. This inspired them to have such a vision for Cambodian lesbians too and since May two lesbian groups have self-organised, one in PP (over 200 members) and one in Kg Chnang (over 100 members) with support from Women’s Network for Unity (WNU).

For the NGOs who supported Cambodia Pride week the range of issues/needs raised by participants at the workshops was challenging as the NGO remit is solely a health service remit. As NGOs are currently the largest service provider to the lgbt community- or more accurately MSM community- the thinking and understanding of what it means to be ‘gay or lesbian’ is often reduced to the sexual health issues involved in having that identity rather than a broader exploration of what it means to be gay or lesbian or bi or trans in Cambodian society.

What also remains lacking is a broad range of services to support the most-times difficult personal journey involved in being lgbt- personal support like drop-in centres where people can meet and experience a sense of community and solidarity; support for coming out to family and friends; help-lines to break the isolation experienced by lgbt people especially in rural areas; life skills training, including personal development courses and specific job skills training; advocacy training to lobby for greater security for and understanding of lgbt people in Cambodia.

Building on Cambodia Pride Week 2009

Regular meetings have followed Cambodia Pride Week- mostly monthly and sometimes bi-monthly. As a result of Cambodia Pride week there is now a greater number of lgbt people attending these meetings, Cambodian and ex-patriot. Some follow-up activities have happened already. These include:

- information sessions for students of Gender Studies in Pannasastra university

- self-organising of two lesbian groups (PP, Kg Chnang)

- preparation of Cambodia Pride promotional dvd (soon to be completed)

- monthly lgbt film nights at META House

- a post-Pride photo exhibition at META House

While ideas are already taking shape for a bigger and better Cambodia Pride Week 2010, there is a lot of momentum among Cambodian and ex-patriot lgbts to harness the connections and possibilities generated by this year’s Pride and strengthen the lgbt community/movement through developing activities/services/events other than Cambodia Pride Week.

This year, we will celebrate Pride Week from 11 to 17 May 2010.

About LGBT Health in Cambodia

2009-12-01T23:30:00.000-08:00

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people have many of the same health concerns as anyone else, but cultural differences and the impact of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia mean that these health needs may be experienced quite differently. LGBT people also do not have the same access to health care that many Cambodians take for granted, as they often face several barriers when attempting to access health care.

Due in part to negative past experiences, many LGBT people may delay or avoid seeking health care altogether. They may choose to withhold personal information from health care providers as well, because of the fear that disclosure will lead to prejudice and discrimination. In addition, LGBT people have some unique health concerns and may be at increased risk for certain health issues. Most health care providers are not trained on these LGBT health needs and may not be sensitive to the particular health risks or knowledgeable about how to work with LGBT people.

In general, LGBT people end up receiving less quality health care than the population as a whole. A 2008 Ministry of Health through NCHADS study showed that gay men, lesbians and bisexuals were more likely than heterosexuals to report having had an unmet health care need in the past year. Often, this lack of access is compounded by membership in other groups which also face discrimination or other access problems including Aboriginal communities, people with disabilities, racial and ethnic minority groups, newcomers, rural communities and people living in poverty.

We all deserve to be healthy, and being healthy means taking care of our physical, emotional, sexual, psychological and spiritual needs.

The Healthy Gay Cambodia website is designed to provide information to help both LGBT people meet their health care providers who are friendly, gentle and expecially more aware of LGBT health issues:

• If you want to meet your health's need please come to visit our clinics

1) Clinic Marie Stopes Chba Ampov House # 15, Highway 1, Chba Ampov 2 Khan Mean Chey, Phnom Penh
Email: msm.ca@mariestopes.org.kh
Tel: 023 720 125

2) Clinic Marie Stopes Takhmao House # 538, St 210 Phum Takhmao, Srok Takhmao Kandal province
Email: msm.tk@mariestopes.org.kh
Tel: 023 425 710

3) Clinic Marie Stopes Koh Kong, Phum # 2, Srok Smach Meanchey Koh Kong province
Email: centerkk@mariestopes.org.kh
Tel: 035 936 238

4) Clinic Marie Stopes Battambang, House # 152 Highway # 5, Phum Romchak 4, Srok Battambang Battambang Province
Email: centerbb@mariestopes.org.kh
Tel: 053 953 107

5) Clinic Marie Stopes Kampong Thom, Phum 4, Khum Kampong Thom, Srok Stung Sen, Kampong Thom province
Email: centerkt@mariestopes.org.kh
Tel: 062 962 238

6/ Marie Stopes Siem Reap# 68, group 5, Tapon village, Svay Dongkum district, Siem Reap province
Email: msm.sr@mariestopes.org.kh
Tel: 063 963 454

• If you want to talk to very soft voice of the gently counsellors please call to (855)012 38 72 38; (855)012 53 43 67; (855) 099 33 80 09

Kindest Cut campaign

2009-12-01T17:20:00.000-08:00

Today, MSI launched its Kindest Cut campaign. As part of the campaign, MSI has launched a new video on how Male Circumcision could be used in Malawi to help prevent the spread of HIV; developed a new section about Male Circumcision on the MSI website; produced a fact sheet; run a widespread press campaign and mailed all of our major donors, potential donors and other supporters the following will give you more information:

http://www.mariestopes.org/Health_programmes/HIV%c2%acSTIs/Male_Circumcision.aspx

LGBT movies: A Glimpse Of The Third Sex

2009-11-30T22:43:00.000-08:00

Do you always think that the gay and the lesbians are ‘untouchables’? Are you always waiting for an opportunity to crack a rude joke on your lesbian colleague? If yes, then you need to understand that they are normal people like us. A classic LGBT movie can help you to dwell deeper in the unchartered waters of lesbianism.

An LGBT movie( Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Trans gender) explores the emotional aspect of the relationships which are not considered normal by the societies across the world. The issues of unusual sexual preferences of people has always been a clandestine affair. However these movies have brought it to forefront and depicted these relationships in a very educating light.

Two of the greatest works in this field are “I can’t think straight” and “The World Unseen”. The first movie shows you how women across the world are liberating themselves from age old beliefs and going great lengths to find their lady love. “The World unseen” is a period drama set against the apartheid ravaged South Africa in 1950. This movie speaks strongly about women liberation as well as the clutches of racism.

Enlightenment Films provide healthy LGTB entertainment. Enlightenment Productions have many new exciting assignments in the pipeline. You can log on to www.enlightenment-productions.com to know more about the company.

Creating a Healthy LGBT Relationship

2009-11-30T22:13:00.000-08:00

When You Meet Someone Special
It takes time, respect and nurture to create a healthy relationship. Being in a relationship can provide support and comfort in a society that can be isolating. Yet, lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender couples often begin relationships without role models or social acceptance. This brochure offers suggestions to help your relationship have the best foundation possible.

Laying the Groundwork
It is important to begin a relationship without unfinished business. Ideally, each person should enter the relationship from a place of acceptance of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It would be helpful to work through internalized homophobia or transphobia prior to coming together. If you cannot feel good about yourself, it will be harder to feel good about your relationship.

Each couple will need to decide how out to be. Where different levels of being out exist, frustration can develop. If one partner is used to being open about their orientation or identity and the other person has reasons to not disclose, discussing where to be out and where to be judicious can help.

Each person should have a good support system in place. This support will help you deal with external bias and discrimination. A good support system will encourage your relationship to flourish when outside society may undermine it.

Creating What Works
Here are some qualities to look for:

Time: It is a red flag when relationships move too fast. It takes time to learn about a potential partner: What do other people say about him or her? How does she interact with her family? How is he when things do not go his way? Has she ever been arrested? Is he or she in financial trouble?

Family and Friends: Your partner understands and encourages you to spend time with the people you care about. She or he is secure.

Give and Take: Both partners give. Both partners take. No one is being used. No one is being neglected. Responsibilities are not lopsided.

Equality: One person does not have the power and control.

Negotiation: Each person will concede or apologize and do what is best for the relationship. Agreements are renegotiable. Both people take responsibility to make the relationship work.

Decisions: Partners make important decisions together. One person is not deciding everything. Each person makes their own decisions on minor things, but both opinions and preferences are considered in major things. Compromises are made.

Peaceful problem-solving: Disagreements and problems are solved peacefully, without violence. Thoughts can be voiced and heard. There are no personal attacks. After the argument, you both make efforts to resolve the issue. Apologies are made and neither person carries the blame. The resolution is satisfying to both people.

Finances: You work together to manage finances and needs in a mutually agreeable way. There are communicated understandings and goals that you both work toward. No one is hiding information or ignoring concerns.

Sex: As a couple you decide how monogamous to be and you keep the agreement. If you say no to a sex act, that is respected. If you say wait, then your partner waits.

Feelings: You feel good about yourself and your relationship. You want to be in the relationship because you are with the right person, not because it is better than being alone or you fear leaving.

Safety: Both people feel safe and free from threat. There is the absence of physical, verbal and emotional violence. No one is threatening to harm him or herself as a means of manipulation or control. If you choose to keep your orientation private, your partner holds that as sacred.

Challenges in Committed Relationships
LGBT couples begin relationships without clearly defined roles. This is an advantage and a challenge. Each couple can create what works best, yet will have to negotiate things that other couples may take for granted.

Both people may have been socialized to take the lead, but it can be freeing to let go and decide roles based upon each other’s strengths and on what is best for the couple.

LGBT relationships also lack full legal protection in Cambodia. Canbodian law provides protections around health care and finances. There is a health crisis, a partner may not be able to decide things or even visit.

For more information and the brochure about your relationship have the best foundation possible please go to http://www.ewu.edu/x59423.xml

What MSM Can Do?

2009-11-29T22:41:00.000-08:00

Your risk of getting HIV or passing it to someone else depends on several things. Do you know what they are? You might want to talk to someone who knows about HIV. You can also do the following:

If both you and your partner have HIV, use condoms to prevent other STDs and possible infection with a different strain of HIV.
If only one of you has HIV, use a latex condom and lubricant every time you have sex.

If you have, or plan to have, more than one sex partner, consider the following:
- Get tested for HIV. Men who have sex with other men should get tested at least once a year.
- Talk about HIV and other STDs with each partner before you have sex.
- Learn as much as you can about each partner’s past behavior (sex and drug use) and consider the risks to your health before you have sex.
- Ask your partners if they have recently been tested for HIV; encourage those who have not been tested to do so.
- Use a latex condom and lubricant every time you have sex.
- If you think you may have been exposed to another STD such as gonorrhea, syphilis, or Chlamydia trachomatis infection, get treatment. These diseases can increase your risk of getting HIV.
- Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B viruses.
- Even if you think you have low risk for HIV infection, get tested whenever you have a regular medical check-up.
- Do not inject illicit drugs (drugs not prescribed by your doctor). You can get HIV through needles, syringes, and other works if they are contaminated with the blood of someone who has HIV. Drugs also cloud your mind, which may result in riskier sex.

If you do inject drugs, do the following:
- Use only clean needles, syringes, and other works.
- Never share needles, syringes, or other works.
- Be careful not to expose yourself to another person's blood.
- Get tested for HIV test at least once a year.
- Consider getting counseling and treatment for your drug use.
- Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B viruses.
- Do not have sex when you are taking drugs or drinking alcohol because being high can make you more likely to take risks.

To protect yourself, remember these BCs:

B=Be Faithful

C=Condoms

Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights

2009-11-26T01:03:00.000-08:00

Everyone is entitled to a satisfying and safe sex life. We all have the right to decide if, when and with whom we have sex, as well as if, when and with whom we have children. Those are some of the foundations in the work for sexual and reproductive health and rights – SRHR. Here are a few others:

- LGBT people should be able to live their lives in the open, free from discrimination.

- Sexual violence must stop.

- Everyone is entitled to choose for themselves whether they want to marry, and whom.

- Pregnancy should not endanger women's lives (or lesbian's lives.

- Everyone should be given the information they need in order to protect themselves against unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.

- Everyone should have access to contraceptives.

- Abortions should be legal, accessible and safe.

- Mothers and infants should be given adequate health care.

The key to development

It was only recently that health and rights connected to sexuality and pregnancy were acknowledged as human rights. The idea still faces fierce opposition. But in the most intimate lies the key to many of the major global challenges today, such as the fight to eradicate poverty, and the struggle to keep the mothers of the world alive.

Heterosexism and Homophobia

2009-11-25T22:28:00.000-08:00

Heterosexism is the devaluation of what is not heterosexual. For example, some individuals believe that being gay is abnormal and something to be pitied or cured, while heterosexuality is the "right" way to be. Others persist in thinking that gays, lesbians and bisexuals are immoral or sick. Yet the American Physiological Association and the American Psychiatric Association declared over two decades ago that homosexuality is not a mental disorder or psychiatric problem. A more subtle form of heterosexism is evident when people assume everyone they meet is straight and eventually wants to marry. Different sexual orientations are treated as if they don't exist, at least "not at my school," church, town, etc.

Homophobia is the irrational fear and dislike of lesbians and gay men. Homophobic jokes, anti-gay graffiti, threats and intimidation as well as assaults against bisexuals, lesbians, and gay men are sad reminders of the fear, bias and hatred in American Culture. Bisexuals face unique discrimination since they are often viewed as outsiders by both gay and straight individuals.

Heterosexism and homophobia are cultural forces that distort perceptions of reality; these must be understood and challenged, along with similar prejudices against class, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, and age.

"Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trangender students need to both know that Bucknell can be both a challenging and supportive environment. The university community is committed to creating a safe space for all students to flourish. It is the responsibility of each of us to help create a safe and welcoming environment for Bucknell community members of all sexual/gender orientations."

Andrew Dunlap, LSW
Psychological Services

Challenging homophobia in Cambodia

2009-11-25T01:38:00.000-08:00

Phnom Penh - MSI Cambodia is one of the few organisations in Cambodia responding to the service needs of men who have sex with men (MSM) by providing HIV testing and STI treatment in three locations: Phnom Pehn, Kendal and Siem Reap.

Supported by the Global Fund, the project targets those at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS among the MSM population. In Phnom Penh, the risk is as high as 8.7%. Because MSI Cambodia recognises that MSM are a hidden population in Cambodia, and that many MSM are also often involved in bi-sexual relationships, this project takes a male involvement approach.

Comprehensive SRH information and services are provided alongside general family planning services in the three centres. Discussions about sexuality – and particularly homosexuality - remain taboo in Cambodian society.

To raise awareness about these issues, Cambodia held its biggest ever Pride Festival in May. The week long festival was a huge success and presented a realistic and nuanced picture of gay and lesbian identity in Cambodia. MSI Cambodia MSM Project Manager Srun Srorn helped to organise the event and spent the week promoting male involvement in SRH and the pioneering work of MSI Cambodia’s MSM project.

A rural outreach initiative co-sponsored by MSI Cambodia and other local health and community organisations, is also helping to increase awareness of the issues and improving access to vital services for isolated homosexual and bisexual individuals in the provinces.

MSI Cambodia also leads the way in improving SRH services to lesbian and bisexual women. Evidence shows that women who have yet to come out as a lesbian, in a culture that is openly hostile, are more likely to engage in sexual risk taking, sometimes resulting in unwanted pregnancies.

MSI Cambodia provides family planning and safe abortion services to this group
of women, and is working toward promoting a better understanding.

LGBT can come to me by calling (085)012 34 30 86

Better health, better sex

2009-11-24T23:00:00.000-08:00

People who keep in shape feel sexier due to an improved physique.

They are more confident, feel more desirable to the opposite sex and have a more enjoyable time carrying out any physical activity, including sex.

But when it comes to pleasure in the bedroom, it all boils down to physical performance.

One of the issues faced by men when it comes to sex is erectile dysfunction, commonly caused by circulatory problems due to inactive lifestyle.

Research has also shown that men over the age of 50 who were physically active reported better erections and a 30 per cent lower risk of impotence then men who were inactive.

So here are 5 simple exercises to turn up the heat in the bedroom:

1. Kegels. Here, the muscles used to stop urinating midstream, known as the pubococcygeal (PC) muscles are contracted. To achieve this, do a short crunch, relax and then clench longer for 10 to 15 seconds. Repeat 10 times, at least three times a day.

2. Pelvic lifts. This exercise mimics the action of having sex. Lie on your back, with your knees bent and your hands at the sides. Lift your pelvis up and down in a rhythmic motion, squeezing your butt muscles at the same time. Do a set of 5 to 10 repetitions, increasing the number of sets as you improve.

3. Push-ups. Position your hands parallel to your shoulders and lie on your stomach. Push yourself off the ground with your hands until your arms are straightened and your chest and knees are off the ground. Next, lower your body until it is almost touching the ground. Repeat 10 to 20 times.

4. Crunches. Lie on your back with your knees bent. Cross your feet and lift them until they are parallel to the ground. Cross your hands on your chest and lift it off the ground using your stomach muscles. Do three sets of 20 repetitions.

5. Prayer pumps. Lie down on your back with your knees bent and legs apart. With your hands in a prayer position, lift your chest off the ground and push your hands through your legs. Repeat 20 times for a set, and continue for another two sets.

Endorphins or "happy hormones" are released into the system when a person sweats it out, be it after a solid workout or after sex.

And the more frequent and intense the releases, the easier it is to get sexually aroused and have more pleasure in the future.

Increased fitness levels also means that a person will have greater strength and endurance.

And that means better performance and having the ability to last longer in the bedroom.

Word of advice: you might want to consider putting on protection before engaging in some bedroom fun.

And of course, if you're happily committed to that special person, it's best to keep it that way and not spread the love.

For more please go to http://health.asiaone.com

Womens Services

2009-11-24T22:52:00.000-08:00

Women’s abortion, contraception
& other services
Marie Stopes International is a specialist organisation which has been helping women with their sexual and reproductive healthcare since 1976.

We help many women every year with a range of health services including:

- Contraception
- Pregnancy testing
- Safe Abortion
- Female sterilisation
- HIV and Sexually transmitted infection testing
- Well woman screening
Every one of our centres throughout the Cambodia provides expert care in a supportive environment. There is usually no wait for an appointment and our 24 hour information line on (855) 012 34 30 86 is there to offer advice and assistance.

Well Man Screening

2009-11-24T22:35:00.000-08:00

Well man screening

With today's busy lifestyles, finding time to visit the doctor can often be difficult, but it is important not to forget about our health. Men are far more likely to look after their cars than their own bodies!! Women see their doctor twice as often as men do and invariably much sooner in the course of any given condition.

Health checks don't take long and they needn't be expensive. However, they have proved to be highly effective and in some cases early screening has literally saved lives. More and more men and women recognise the importance of an annual health check to pick up indications of any problems at the earliest opportunity.

Marie Stopes International Cambodia offers Well Man Screening to give you peace of mind – whether it’s as a routine check or because you have some worries. Appointments can be made to suit you, and all services are confidential.

What does the service include?

Our Well Man Screening is designed to spot warning signs of the most common and serious male health issues. The service we offer includes:

• Condoms
• Vasectomy
• HIV/STI's

For more information about Well Man Screening or to make an appointment, contact: (085) 012 34 30 86/ 097 789 9595/ 081 202 444. or for more information go to www.mariestopes.org

Male circumcision is a new HIV intervention strategy

2009-11-12T01:18:00.000-08:00

Male Involvement within Marie Stopes International (MSI) – presentation and discussion

Engaging men in reproductive health continues to be a challenge for the global public health community. MSI have a global strategy to engage men in the following three areas: marketing of male contraceptives; addressing constraints on women’s FP (family planning) demand caused by male control, knowledge and attitudes; and marketing of male circumcision .

With regard to male contraceptives: vasectomy is the safest and most cost-effective LTPM (long-term and permanent method of contraception) but remains the least known and least utilised method throughout the world. MSI in Bangladesh has worked closely with the government of Bangladesh since 2006 to promote vasectomy as a safe, cheap, and viable permanent method of contraception and has to date provided over 150,000 vasectomies. The awareness-raising and behaviour change strategies included campaigns through community health fairs, the use of local health promoters, the use of media outlets and satisfied vasectomy clients as ambassadors for the service.

With regard to male barriers to women’s FP demands, MSI is collating a growing body of evidence to show how important a barrier this is – in some places even more so than access or affordability. A recent KAP (knowledge, attitude, and practice) survey in Sierra Leone had 30%^ of women cite their husband/partner’s disapproval as the main reason for not utilising family planning. Project ideas to reduce male barriers to FP include utilising traditional male social groups – such as village “grins” in Mali, or qat-chewing groups in Yemen – to increase awareness and acceptability within male decision-makers to FP and SRH issues.
Male circumcision is a new HIV intervention strategy. Traditional behavioural interventions for HIV prevention have been hampered by ideological differences and the inherent challenges in changing sexual behaviour on a mass scale. In December 2006 global MC (male circumcision) trials were completed which conclusively proved that MC reduced the risk of heterosexual HIV transmission by up to 60%.

Whilst the conclusive global studies all concentrated on heterosexual transmission, localised research in smaller-target group studies – for example, in Soweto, South Africa – have clearly suggested that circumcision is still protective for MSM populations and therefore MSM should not be excluded from circumcision programmes.

Male circumcision involves removing the foreskin from the head of the penis which reduces tearing during sex and also reduces the risk of HIV transmission due to the foreskin containing particular glands which are highly effective at transmitting HIV. Male circumcision is widely believed to be the first effective new biomedical prevention strategy for HIV.

There are of course challenges, not least of which is how to integrate MC into existing health infrastructures and also how to reach underserved and high risk groups. Further challenges include overcoming the cultural, financial, and religious barriers to MC and also overcoming the current lack of skilled providers for this service.

MSI piloted an MC project in 2007 in the Kisumu region of Kenya and has since expanded programmes to Malawi and Zambia. MSI is also a partner within a global MC project to expand MC services across Africa.

The greatest challenge to MSIC / Cambodia is how to access the funding for this intervention. Approximately 64% of the global HIV positive population (approximately 25.8 million people) reside in Africa and therefore this is where funding is concentrated. However, all male involvement strategies as outlined above will be considered by MSIC in the future implementation of this project and further technical assistance from the MSI global partnership is available.

Marie Stopes International Cambodia is happy to provide all kinds of reproductive health to esp. Gay and Lesbians.

Combo vaccine reduces risk of HIV infection

2009-09-24T19:51:00.000-07:00

Dear reader,

I got a good new for Vaccine to reduce risk of HIV infection through CNN see below:

-- A vaccine to prevent HIV infection, the virus that leads to AIDS, has shown modest results for the first time, researchers have found, raising hopes that a disease that kills millions every year may someday be beaten.

Researchers found those who received the vaccine combination were 31 percent less likely to contract HIV.

In what is being called the world's largest HIV vaccine trial ever -- involving more than 16,000 participants in Thailand -- researchers found that people who received a series of inoculations of a prime vaccine and booster vaccine were 31 percent less likely to get HIV, compared with those on a placebo.
"Before this study, it was thought vaccine for HIV is not possible," Colonel Jerome Kim, who is the HIV vaccines product manager for the U.S. Army, told CNN.
HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus, which is the virus that causes AIDS -- acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
Kim emphasized that the level of effectiveness of the latest vaccine was modest, but given the failures of previous HIV vaccine trials, "yesterday we would have thought an HIV vaccine wasn't possible." Watch Dr. Sanjay Gupta discuss the excitement surrounding the vaccine »
He called the results from the trial an important first step that will help researchers work toward a more effective vaccine.
Researchers have tried to prevent the spread of HIV since they discovered its cause in 1986. Previous vaccine trials failed to prevent infection. And during one trial, the vaccine seemed to boost the chance of being infected, which ended testing early.
The new study was conducted in Thailand, with more than 16,000 people between ages 18 and 30 participating. They were all HIV negative at the beginning of the trial.
Nearly 8,200 received a placebo and a similar number received a combination of six vaccines over six months. All were followed for three years.
Researchers found that those who received the vaccine combination were 31 percent less likely to contract HIV compared with those on a placebo.
"This shows a statistically significant effect," Kim said.
Don't Miss
Learn more about HIV/AIDS
He cautioned that a lot more research was necessary, because the vaccine did not prevent everyone from being infected.
Fifty-one people in the vaccine group eventually contracted HIV, compared with 74 in the placebo group.
"These results show that development of a safe and effective preventive HIV vaccine is possible," said Colonel Nelson Michael, who is director of the U.S. military HIV research program.
The combination of vaccines tested targeted strains circulating in Thailand. It was unclear how the vaccines would work elsewhere, Kim said.
Researchers will announce details of their initial findings at the AIDS Vaccine Conference next month in Paris, France.
The study was funded by the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command.
According to Kim, the U.S. military was involved in the study because U.S. service members are at risk and "there's a national security threat from HIV."
He said Congress set up a program to protect service members from HIV and the U.S. military has collaborated with health officials and researchers in Thailand for a long time.
The vaccines are manufactured by Global Solutions for Infectious Diseases and Sanofi Pasteur. The Thai Ministry of Health carried out the clinical trial.
According to estimates by WHO and UNAIDS, 33 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2007. That same year, some 2.7 million people became newly infected, and 2 million died of AIDS, including 270,000 children. Two-thirds of HIV infections are in sub-Saharan

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/24/hiv.vaccine/index.html#cnnSTCText

Bariers to Use Condom

2009-09-02T02:10:00.000-07:00

I got an information for why condom were not be used mostl

here is diagram for it;
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cKNNaVdE0zs/SpwFwK3j0tI/AAAAAAAAZYs/imalfkzL6pc/s1600-h/Barriers-to-Condom-Use.jpg

Condom and Health Service?

2009-09-01T01:18:00.000-07:00

Free Condoms in Cambodia -- MEMBERS AREA

Welcome to your online source of Rubbers and Lube! (please note that condoms can only be sent to addresses in Cambodia). If you cannot easily get your condoms from gay bars or through other venues, then order them here. This service is aimed at gay and bisexual men. If you are isolated and want to talk to someone, then call Srorn & Sam Ath on 012 34 30 86 or 012 96 36 26.

We will soon provide STI and HIV services in Takmoa, Kandal; Chbar Ampove, Phnom Penh; Siem Reap.

Safe Sex!

2009-08-26T02:47:00.000-07:00

Do you Practice Safe Sex in a Monogamous Relationship?

With infidelity statistics through the roof, you really can never be too careful when it comes to protecting yourself from STDs and AIDS, regardless if you are in a monogamous relationship or single and dating. An estimated one million people are currently living with AIDS in America and 40,000 new infections reported every year, 70% being men and 30% being women. Misspoli posted an interesting question on TeamSugar that I wanted to ask all of you.

Are Condoms a "Grudge Purchase" to You?

Condom makers and marketers are trying to make condoms less of a grudge purchase and more of a "Woohoo! I’m going to have sex with these!" purchase.

Why Do People Still Engage in Unsafe Sex?

Last week TMZ captured Tila Tequila outing herself for not practicing safe sex. As we all know, STIs are running rampant. They are not something that should be taken lightly, or even joked about for that matter, which is why I'm pretty surprised that someone who is in the public eye would make a comment like that.

Dear Poll: If Your One Night Stand Got You Pregnant...

In a previous poll, 41 percent of you said you were all for casual sex, but only 11 percent admitted to having a one night stand. Regardless of the kind of sexual partners you've had, sometimes we aren't as safe as we should be, leaving some chance for unexpected pregnancy. So what would you do if you found out you were pregnant by a man you had no intention of pursuing a relationship with or ever seeing again?

Good Idea or Bad Idea: Dating Multiple People at Once

Until you have "the talk," is it fair game to date multiple people at the same time? Assuming you are practicing safe sex, some people just assume it is par for the course, but others think dating more than one person is sleazy and dubious. Of course every couple is different and everyone has their own opinions on the rules of dating, but what I want to know is, do you think it is a good idea or a bad idea to date more than one person at a time?

Oral Sex Doesn't Equal Safe Sex

I hate to bring up this not-so-fun topic, but I'm concerned. Many of my friends have dated guys that they wouldn't have sex because they were worried about STIs, but they didn't seem the least bit worried about having oral sex. When your mouth has contact with someone else's business, you can very well get a whole plethora of STIs — the problem is that many of these sexually transmitted infections are asymptomatic, which means you can't tell if someone is infected just by looking at them.

How Well Do You Know Yeast Infections?

If you're a woman, chances are you've had to endure at least one horribly uncomfortable yeast infection in your lifetime. If you hadn't heard yet, there may be a yeast infection vaccine in our future which could help to prevent future infections, but until then, take this little quiz to see what you know about yeast infections, their causes, and how they relate to sex.

Sex withou Regret, What safe for you??

2009-08-25T01:24:00.000-07:00

What safe for you?

Very few things we do when having sex are likely to result in HIV. When you know the basics of how HIV can be passed on, you can decide what means for you. For a sexual activity to pass on HIV there has to be:
a person
a bodily fluid with HIV in it (cum or blood)
enough HIV in that fluid to be passed on
another person
a way for the HIV to get into the other person's bloodstream
Without all of these things, it is impossible for HIV to be passed on. The amount of HIV in the blood and cum of a person varies over time. The more virus there is, the more chance there is of being able to pass on HIV. This is called viral load. A person has the greatest viral load and is most able to pass on HIV immediately after they have just gotten HIV themselves (and may not even know they have HIV). So let's look at what we enjoy doing and how to reduce the chance of HIV being passed on.

HIV cannot be spread by spit. There is no evidence that kissing or cuddling could lead to HIV being passed on. However, try to avoid deep kissing if both you and your partner have:
open mouth sores
open cuts in the mouth
bleeding lips or gums as these involve blood and there's a small chance of HIV being passed on.

: Mutual Masturbation
HIV is NOT passed on by:
wanking, either alone or with someone else
massage and body stroking
cumming on somebody (if there are no open cuts or sores) Avoid using someone else's cum as a lubricant. It might enter the tip of the cock, or small abrasions on your cock. This might allow HIV to be passed into the blood stream.

Sucking and being sucked
HIV is not passed on from the mouth to someone else's cock. There are a small number of recorded cases of people getting HIV from taking cum into their mouth. In almost all of the cases the person had herpes sores, cuts or infections in their mouth. It isn't easy for HIV to enter the bloodstream via the mouth or throat. If you're and there is any bleeding in your mouth, or if you have a gum disease or other oral infections (such as a sore throat) take extra care. Brushing your teeth before oral sex can give you bleeding gums. To be really safe, you can pull his cock out of your mouth before he cums, so that you do not get cum in your mouth. A condom on the cock you're sucking is an ultra-safe strategy.
: Licking out
Rimming, licking another person's arse, does not pass on HIV. However, some other serious illnesses such as viral hepatitis are easily passed on this way. You can use sheets of clear plastic food wrap or a dental dam as protection.
: Passive fucking
If you're , being fucked by another guy's cock up your arse without a condom is the most likely way of getting HIV, if you're not 100% certain of your partner's HIV status, or if you know your sex partner is . Cum that carries HIV can easily enter the bloodstream through the lining of the arse and through small cuts or abrasions that occur during fucking. Having your sex partner use a condom with a water-based lubricant is the best way to reduce the chances of getting or giving HIV or other STDs.
: Active fucking
If you're , fucking another guy up the arse without a condom on your cock is another likely way of getting HIV, if you're not 100% certain of your sex partner's HIV status, or if you know your sex partner is . Many guys think that because they're the one doing the fucking, the HIV can't enter their body. but it can enter the cock through the opening at the tip (the meatus), or through tiny cuts or scratches on the cock. Reduce the chances of getting or giving HIV by using a condom and a water-based lubricant.

Try experimenting with condoms before using them for sex. Get yourself used to the feel of them. Wank with them on. Try tearing one or two while you've got them on, so that you can feel what that's like. You can feel the difference, so that if a condom tears when you're fucking, you'll know when to pull out.
Put the condom on before starting to fuck, not just before you're about to cum.
When putting the condom on, squeeze the air out of the tip first. Roll the condom all the way down to the base of your cock to prevent it slipping off.
If you're uncircumcised, pull your foreskin back before fitting the condom on. You might need to practice to find out how to get a condom to stay on.
Choose a brand of condoms that suits your cock size and shape.

: Pulling out
Withdrawal (pulling out before cumming) does not protect you from giving or getting HIV. Some guys do this as a way to have the thrill of fucking without using condoms, thinking that if the person fucking pulls out in time, this counts as safe sex. This isn't true. Withdrawal can still lead to HIV being passed on because:
if you're the active partner (the one doing the fucking) blood from your partner's arse can still enter the hole at the tip of your cock, or get into tiny scratches or cuts on your cock.
if you're the passive partner (the one being fucked), there's no guarantee that your partner won't cum in your arse. Withdrawal before orgasm is a very difficult thing to time perfectly! Again, using condoms and a water-based lubricant can prevent this risk. Many gay men in Australia who have recently tested reported that they thought withdrawal was safe.

Some people will tell you that condoms often break. However, often the mistakes that people make that lead to condom breakage can be easily corrected. Condoms aren't 100% reliable, but using them correctly is the best way there is to make fucking safe. Remember the following:
Use lots of water-based lubricant such as KY jelly, Wet Stuff, Glyde or Lubafax. Some people mistakenly use oil based lubricants like Vaseline, baby oil, hand creams, Intensive Care or other oil based lubes, without realising that these actually dissolve the latex of the condom, leading to breakages.
Check the use by date on your condoms. Avoid using out-of-date condoms.
Be sure to buy condoms made to Australian standards-check the outside of the pack.
Never leave condoms out in the sun, or near any sharp objects that might damage them, or in the glove box of your car for a prolonged period of time.
Don't store your condoms near extreme heat or cold.
Don't use ultra-thin condoms as these are designed for vaginal sex. Anal sex puts more stress on condoms. Use extra strength condoms for anal sex.

"Negotiated Safety"
Some people who share the same known HIV status choose to fuck without condoms. This can only be safe when you both know for certain that you're bothor both . Discuss with your partner how important it is for you to fuck without condoms. If it's not that important, then keep using them. If you want to fuck without condoms, then here are some steps you could follow:
If you're both
Talk with your doctor about the possible effects of being exposed to another strain of the virus. It's your choice to enjoy unprotected fucking with anotherperson if you both want to.
If you think you're both
If you both want to fuck without condoms, then both get tested for HIV. Be completely honest about your results, or agree to go and get tested and collect your results together. What would it mean if one of you had HIV and the other didn't? Talk about this first. If it would mean the end of the relationship then maybe you should just keep using condoms? Continue to use condoms every time you fuck for 3 months after either of you could possibly have come into contact with HIV. After 3 months, both get tested again.
If one of you has HIV and the other does not
Keep using condoms and water-based lubricant every time you fuck. If you need support around this contact the PLC (Positive Living Centre) or other agencies listed on the Directory page.
If you know you're both
Discuss your future plans. Make a commitment to each other that you'll avoid fucking outside of your relationship (this strategy is more successful) or that if either of you fuck with anyone else you will use condoms (this strategy is less successful). You will need to make a decision about trusting each other. Make a commitment that if either of you has a slip-up or an accident that results in unsafe sex outside of the relationship, you'll agree to tell the other immediately. You'll need to go back to safe sex until you've both been tested twice again 3 months apart.
Talk with each other about how slip-ups or accidents might happen. Agree in advance that it won't mean the end of your relationship. Don't punish your partner for being honest.
You might want to agree in advance that either partner can insist on using condoms again, without having to explain why.
If all of this seems like too much to handle, then keep using condoms whenever you fuck.

HIV can be passed on during vaginal sex. The virus is found in both cum and vaginal fluids. If you're fucking with a woman the best way to prevent HIV being passed on either way is to use a condom with water-based lubricant.HIV is unlikely to be passed on in oral sex when a man is going down on a woman although the risk increases if there is menstrual blood. If there are cuts or sores on the man's mouth sheets of clear plastic food wrap, or a dental dam, can be used to protect against HIV being passed on. Check out the range of heterosexual safe sex information available.

Using drugs or alcohol might affect your ability to make sensible decisions about having safe sex, and your ability to let your partner know what you want. It's a good idea to make the choice to be prepared for safe sex before using drugs and alcohol. Making sure you've always got condoms and water-based lubricant with you can make it easier decision to have sex without regret.

If you inject drugs remember that each person should use a new clean needle and other equipment every time. Do not share needles, swabs, spoons, filters or tourniquets! SAVIVE at the AIDS Council of South Australia offers a 24 hour needle exchange. Cleaning fits for 5 minutes with strong bleach is not 100% safe. Ring SAVIVE on (08) 362 9299 for further information.

Being committed to safe sex all the time isn't easy. There are always going to be times when it's hard to stick to safe sex. It's important to be able to talk about this with people we trust. We should not be judgmental if friends tell us that they have had a slip-up. Most gay men can remember or imagine what leads to an unsafe incident. Remember that slip-ups don't mean we've gone off the rails or that we are bad. Just make the decision to have safe sex in future-for a long life enjoying sex without regret.

Read more: http://www.managingdesire.org/

Ladies--You Need HIV Testing Too-at MSI Cambodia

2009-08-03T20:45:00.000-07:00

Don't forget ladies that HIV is important to you!

Please see the following information from the Gay Mens Health Crisis in New York: It applies in Cambodia too! MSI supports our Khmer women--be strong ladies!

Source: http://www.gmhc.org/programs/wi/not_taking_it.html
The 2009 HIV — We're Not Taking It Lying Down campaign, co-branded by the Women's Institute at GMHC and Iris House, continues to boldly celebrate and reclaim the sexuality, sexual health and strength of women of color. This provocative HIV prevention and testing campaign is being re-launched during Women's History Month in March 2009 to honor the rich history of African-American women and women of color in our communities. Institutionalized racism, poverty and violence create environments of risk. This message reflects the programming and service of the Women's Institute at GMHC and Iris House, both of which address the sexual, gender and power dynamics women face in their lives and relationships.
Both the Women's Institute at GMHC and Iris House promote safer and satisfying sex that's consensual and in one's control. We subscribe to the idea that women don't have to "take it lying down." Testing regularly for HIV is but one way to take control.
Iris House provides services for women, families and communities infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS. In addition to providing family-centered services that promote prevention, education and awareness, Iris House also offers practical services that address the day-to-day needs and reality of living with HIV/AIDS. Iris House provides nutritional counseling and meal programs, intensive case management, scatter site housing, mental health services and support groups, and job and life skills training. Since opening its doors in 1993, Iris House has assisted more than 1,800 individuals cope with HIV/AIDS.
The Women's Institute at GMHC provides community health education, prevention programming and advocacy on behalf of women and families living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. We honor women of color by challenging social, economic and political frameworks that put women's health at risk.

Wrap It Up! Watch Chi Chi LeRues Video on Safe Sex

2009-08-03T20:40:00.001-07:00

Hey Guys,
I just saw the best video with one message, "wrap it up!" You'll love it":

Donations Welcome for Aug. 22 PRIDE 2010 LGBT Phnom Penh Meeting

2009-08-03T20:19:00.001-07:00

Greetings Cambodia LGBT members and supporters:
We are having a community get-together on August 22, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Marie Stopes International Head Office (Phnom Penh).
#9, Street 476, Sangkat Toul Tompong I, Khan Chamka Morn
Phnom Penh
855 89 994 083 Ext. 124
Given that MSI-Cambodia is a not-for-profit NGO, we welcome any contributions with the meeting, including help with food, beverages, snacks.
We are discussing the 2010 Pride Event! Let's start planning now to make 2010 even better than the incredible 2009 Pride Event. You can also email me at:
srorn.srun@mariestopes.org.kh.
Thanks!

Welcome to Healthy & Gay In Cambodia

2009-07-31T00:42:00.000-07:00

Greetings Cambodia's LGBT community:

This website/blog is supported by Marie Stopes International, Cambodia.
Marie Stopes International is committed to preventing the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases among Cambodia's gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community.
MSI provides HIV and STD testing, treatment, and counseling services to everyone in Cambodia. MSI is dedicated to confidentiality and to treating everyone like family.
I will update this blog on a continual basis to help educate Cambodia about MSI-Cambodia services.

Srun Srorn, Project Manager, Marie Stopes International-Cambodia.

Tel: 855-23-994-083 ext. 124

Email:srorn.srun@mariestopes.org.kh