Living positively with Charles Jacobs
Charles Jacobs used drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism after finding out his status. Charles admits he didn’t think he could ever get HIV... Read More
A health resource for men who have sex with men
Queer Talk
Living positively with Dorian Basson
Cape Town born Dorian Basson, was 20 years old when he contracted HIV through being raped. Dorian admits that getting HIV was never even a... Read More
Living positively with Wade Schaerer
Born and bred in Johannesburg, Wade Schaerer, was 25 years old when he contracted HIV. Wade admits he didn’t think it would ever happen to... Read More
Why I’m on PrEP
How many stories have you heard of people who are confronted with the reality of HIV when their ‘committed’ partners confess that they’ve cheated? How... Read More
Gay Relationships in the Townships vs in Urban Environments
Love is a universal feeling and is supposed to be expressed and given freely without any oppression or the fear of being judged because of... Read More
I Kissed an STI and I Liked It!
Okay, let me explain: I was somewhere in the bundus of Magaliesburg at a gay-organised hike. Being the gay male rendition of Bridget Jones, I... Read More
SEXY AND YOU KNOW IT? TAKE PrEP
Sexy people come in all shapes and sizes. As they say, everyone is someone’s some kind of wonderful. But there are some of us out... Read More
HOWDY PARTNER! The science behind U=U.
HIV-positive men on ART with undetectable viral loads, can’t pass it on to their negative partners – it’s been proven. Eight years ago, 1000 gay... Read More
Men, You Should See Your Doctor Or Visit Your Clinic When…
Here’s a list of things that you definitely should consult a doctor or clinician about sooner rather than later: You’ve had unprotected sex, or the condom... Read More
How getting on PrEP changed both my life and views on sex.
November 2017, was the year I decide to visit the Health4Men clinic in Greenpoint, Cape Town to get on PrEP and this was by far... Read More
What is MSM?
MSM stands for ‘men who have sex with men’, and it doesn’t mean the same thing as ‘gay’. Many people assume that men who... Read More
Straight Acting
During the thirteen years, I was an actor, I played roles representing various gender identities, races and sexual orientations. I prided myself on being a... Read More
Queer Visibility: A Radical Liberating Act
I’ve dated guys who aren’t afraid of holding my hand in malls and even kissing me in public if the mood calls for it. Nothing... Read More
The I Love Me Pledge
This Valentine’s, I’m not going to wait for a man to validate me with a plastic rose or heart-shaped chocolate. This year, I’m doing it... Read More
Old School can be cool again kids!
Condoms and lube have been around for a while because they work! Fewer guys are using condoms these days, and there are a few reasons... Read More
12 MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT PrEP: Information for gay and bisexual men
PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It is a daily drug that can be taken by people who don’t have HIV to prevent them from being... Read More
Depression and Risky Sexual Behaviour
Risky sexual behaviour has long been linked to an increased risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). But what is risky sexual... Read More
We chatted to Rod Suskin, Sangoma and Astrologer about the role of Traditional Healers in the fight against HIV.
H4M: From the 26th of August to the 31st of August is African Traditional Medicine Week, and the 31st is African Traditional Medicine Day. What type of... Read More
Have your cake and eat it.
Whether you call it Rimming, Salad Tossing, Butt munching, sucking the starfish or the ever-eloquent Afrikaans: Poefparra Muff, eating the fruit that grows on the... Read More
Are you objectifying yourself? Sexual object, spiritual being (or both?)
If you enjoy hookups and no-strings-attached sex with strangers, this article is probably not for you. If you find this satisfying, that’s awesome, and there... Read More
Single and Easy (Not that type of easy!)
Not sure if it’s me getting older and more set in my ways, or just wishful thinking, but I am finding it so much easier... Read More
Let’s not be “sies”- gender
As a teenager, I often presented as a girl, because I had a baby face and the art school I attended allowed me to grow... Read More
Some closed doors hide more than others
In the previous episode of the adventures of Elsabé Kritzinger, the straight laced Afrikaans woman who lives inside of me, I challenged the world to... Read More
A kink in your wiring doesn’t always mean a short circuit
We have lived with enough judgment from outside sources and fought too hard to get to where we are without ripping ourselves to shreds.
TB in the Suburbs
March is TB Awareness month, but despite being the no 1 killer in South Africa (pneumonia is 2nd and HIV is 3rd), it’s still not... Read More
Coping with Barebacking Peer Pressure
Barebacking (condomless sex) still happens – a lot. This is even though most of us know that it is a huge risk for HIV and... Read More
How your local Health4Men Clinic can hook you up!
Health4Men has over 250 competent clinics nationwide and two Centers of Excellence, one in Cape Town and one in Johannesburg, which offer a variety of... Read More
Summertime Sadness: Loneliness and risky sexual behaviour
You can be lonely on a crowded dancefloor, and yet, feel completely connected to all beings in an open field. We all suffer from loneliness... Read More
Help! I barebacked last night.
Unprotected sex with someone you don’t know that well may not have been on your ‘To Do List’ last night, but it happened. Here’s what... Read More
Booty and the Booze
As “silly season” approaches, those of us who partake in the alcoholic beverage will be provided with more opportunities to indulge than ever. Cocktails, boozy... Read More
PrEP? Yes, please! But what about the side effects?
Around the world, more HIV-negative men who have sex with men are choosing to go onto pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) so that they can be more... Read More
Safer Sex Is Cool Too
At 28, I am a self-proclaimed sex addict, because sex is natural and fun; it relieves stress, keeps your heart healthy, and helps you sleep... Read More
6 facts on mental health
10th October is World Mental Health Awareness Day! Mental health is your psychological, emotional and social state of well-being Mental health problems can interfere with... Read More
Be a PrEP “Pro” with these healthy adherence habits
Pre = before Exposure = coming into contact with HIV Prophylaxis = treatment to prevent an infection When I have conversations about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP/Truvada),... Read More
Taking Pride
Like many a gay man… I love a good parade. But, I’d like to propose we do something in addition to this collective expression of... Read More
Instasex: Just add condom
Marshmallows and condoms, how delayed gratification has a role to play in safer sex practices. Imagine that you’re a 5-year old who is obsessed with... Read More
Stigma: A killer we can stop
I would do anything that I can to avoid shame and embarrassment, and I will gladly duck and dive a situation in which I suspect... Read More
About my butt – Talking anal health and pleasure
I want to talk about my genitals. Specifically, I want to talk about my butt. Personally, my anus is as important to my sexual pleasure... Read More
You should be a model!
20th of June kicks off National Youth Health Week, so help nurture healthy young minds by being a role model. A healthy state of mind... Read More
Shooting from the shadows
When gay hearts harbour gay hatred. Does internalised homophobia kill? There is much speculation about Omar Mateen’s motives for killing or maiming more... Read More
My Chemsex Comedown
Last night I sat in a We The Brave endorsed sold-out screening of “Chemsex”, a documentary featuring in the Encounters Film Festival, and I think... Read More
Sex and Sensuality
There’s a difference between sex and sensuality, just as there is between having sex and making love. They all offer us something, and we... Read More
5 WAYS TO BE A HEALTHIER GUY: It’s easier than you think.
June is Men’s Health Month, so why not try applying a few of these tips and you could find a healthier you on the other... Read More
Floppycock
Is your flaccid penis trying to tell you something? There’s no need to keep a stiff upper lip about your failure to launch. Erectile dysfunction... Read More
Foreskin too tight to mention
If your foreskin is too tight and restrictive, it’s a good idea to go to a health care provider to get it checked out. Contraction... Read More
The job at hand
Studies have found that bright people masturbate more often, and they have good reason to do so. Educated people partake in self-pleasure more often than... Read More
Sex vs. Intimacy
Grabbing a shag when a hug would do. It’s not unusual to hear a guy say something like: “Damn, it’s been too long since I... Read More
Think Fast
Nothing to eat? That might not be such a bad thing. You’re in a rush. There’s no time to find something healthy to shove down... Read More
I ‘C’ you baby
Before you pop that allergy pill, succumb to man-flu, or book a botox “sesh”, take another look at vitamin C. It’s essential for the creation... Read More
You need to check yo’self sugar!
If you’re HIV-positive and likely to develop diabetes, you may need to check your blood sugar levels before starting some 2nd line treatment ARVs. The... Read More
Dr. Rad talks Flu Jab
Dr. Oscar Radebe, Clinical Manager: Senior Medical and Communications Consultant: Health4Men, answers some questions about getting the flu vaccine. What is the flu vaccine,... Read More
It’s balls to the walls, my dear
The Testicular Cancer Society recognises April as Testicular Awareness Month. Despite being one of the most treatable forms of cancer (only 1 out of 5000... Read More
April Fool’s Gold
Getting drunk or reckless and having risky sex with someone who may or may not have an STI, would be foolish fun – duh! But,... Read More
Gut Reactions
Whether you’re HIV-positive or not, the chances are good that your immune system is not going to take the title of this year’s “Miss Perfect... Read More
Dew on the Lily
(by Mickey Diablo) It’s the appetizer before the main course, the Royal Variety Performance preceding the NYE fireworks, the isolated showers which herald the Highveld... Read More
The Guy on PrEP who still got HIV
You may have heard about this or seen it online – so we thought we’d break it down for you. Huh? A previously HIV-negative 43-year... Read More
Having an ‘Ace’ Valentine’s Day
Some singletons think Valentine’s Day is a time to stay at home, cultivate body odour under a duvet and sing along with Bridget Jones crooning... Read More
Are you PrEPared?
Remember the soap opera Dynasty? The series which premiered in the early 80’s revolved around an old billionaire who marries a much younger, middle class... Read More
5 Things To Know About Typhoid
There have been a few reported cases of Typhoid identified within the Greater Johannesburg area recently. Even though the situation is under control, here are... Read More
Anova and Elton John Aids Foundation PrEP Demonstration for MSM
The Anova Health Institute is very excited to announce that it has successfully launched the first South African, nurse drive and state-clinic based PrEP project... Read More
MSM PrEP Clinical Trials for Beginners
Introduction The recent announcement by the MCC approving a combination of two anti-HIV medications, tenofovir and emtricitabine, taken daily in a single combination pill to... Read More
It’s Time to Refocus The HIV Stigma
HIV-related stigma within the gay community has been around since the emergence of the pandemic. Early media reports referred to HIV as being a gay... Read More
12 tips for safer online hook-ups
Cruising and hooking up online, especially with someone you’ve never met before, could place you in a very vulnerable space. This is a time to... Read More
Straight To Bed!
I’m on the Gautrain. A ridiculously snacky homie in tracksuit pants (nicely filled by his legs and ass) hops on. I totally miss the goose... Read More
5 Tips For Safe (And Comfy) Anal Sex
Keeping It Clean While Getting Down And Dirty Most people associate the rectum and anus with excretion. However, your rectum is generally free of faeces... Read More
When Cum Gets In Your Eye
Many gay guys appreciate a good load of cum. Some of us prefer our partners to ejaculate in our mouth, on our chest or on... Read More
Where Do You Go To Get Off?
You wake up in the middle of the night with a glorious boner, feeling rather in the mood. You fumble for your phone in the... Read More
