Im Working On A New Site...

[Lee]

http://www.stophivaids.com

Its not going to be anything spectacular (and there is nothing on the domain yet) but i figured id do something that could maybe educate a few more people about hiv/aids and how they can protect themselves better as it would seem very few education programs exist to help people make the right choice about safe sex practices.

Im also probably going to have this site linked up on the Condom Cash paysite tours or in the members area at some point to so that as many sexually active gay men get to see it as possible.

Hopefully by the end of next week ill have a nice little hiv/aids resource put together with some real value on it for those looking for the facts about hiv and how they can protect themselves more when hooking up with a new sexual partner.

Have any of you folks ever done any social projects like this one before?

Regards,

Lee

[Sana Chan]

I haven't. Most of my work is with animal protection and rights.

But this is a very important topic in our industry so I think it's a very good site to have available.

Something you could have would be condom recommendations, like which condoms you know work best/least breakage/etc. Personally I have no clue when it comes to condoms what is best or what is safe. So this could also be very educational for women who wish to carry condoms when they go out, just incase the guy doesn't have one.

Maybe you could also give advice on how to deal with someone who you want to have sex with but is showing resistance to using a condom. Some guys can be uncomfortable saying "No" due to self esteem or even their arousal getting in the way. Peer pressure sucks so encouraging ideas on how to put their foot down and demand condom usage could be beneficial.

[Lee]

Im not sure how i feel about offering 'advice' on whether to use condoms or not other than the fact that condoms can help minimize the risk of contracting hiv/aids.

That is a decision that individuals need to make on their own, without any influences from someone that ultimately, isnt involved in their particular situation, im more concerned about making sure the site has as much information about what people can do to help minimize the risks of contracting the disease, certainly using condoms is one way that risk can be minimized but who am i to say someone should or shouldnt use condoms with their sexual partners when in reality, im not even going to know these people?

Whether people use safe sex practices or not, at least they will have the information they need to make an informed decision, on their own without someone forcing the issue for them either way, that is what i am ultimately aiming for with this site, a neutral stance, neither for nor against the use of condoms when having sex but rather being able to inform individuals about the facts so they can make their own decisions, as adults.

Lots of people feel very passionate about the subject of condom use, on both sides of the argument, unfortunately most of the time that passion isnt put in to fruition other than on message boards and it does nothing to help anyone. This site, even if it helps one person make an informed decision whether to, or not to use safe sex practices will have fulfilled its purpose.

Regards,

Lee

[gaystoryman]

While the idea is good, there are some downsides that could come into play here.

To begin with, I suppose you'd have to be careful to make certain it isn't a site being used to promote your own sites. If its a 'true' public service site, then commercialism has to be kept away.

I think that too many statistics can 'turn' people off, but they should be worked into the site, to let the viewer make their own conclusion.

Links to more informed sites, have to be maintained I think, to be constantly verified as to being up and operating.

If you are not going to offer 'advice', then perhaps make sure their is good articles on all sides of the issues. Balanced information always does better than self righteous pontificating.

Rambling today, but on stats. You know saying that 8 people today will be infected with HIV, and another 8 tomorrow is shocking in some regards, but I think people don't connect to it. I think something more personal, could be of better benefit, such as actually having the viewpoint discussed between two who actually experience the two sides of the issue. In short, one who is neg, one who pos, and how they personally feel.

People are more able to equate something that is more personal. When people talk about smoking, the numbers aren't what gets many to quit, it is a talk with their doctor or seeing how their mother or brother or whatever close friend is going through that brings these things home.

just my 2 cents, man I need a coffee :morning:

[WegCash Robert]

I've always thought it would be a good idea to have links to HIV / AIDS dating sites. I have a lot of friends that have been positive for years and do not know where to find other POZ friends to either date or become friends with. If you could add something like that to your site I think it would be very helpful in prevention.

[IdolKnights]

It's a tough subject to have, host and be a part of without offering personal advice and to remain 100% neutral.

But

I would supply the user with full information on the virus.

The "Documented" history of the virus.

Illustrated guides of known protective measure WITH clear detail and WITH a disclaimer of it being "LESS RISK" - not - Fail safe

Detail infection types past sex. Such as, Bad Blood transfusions and shared needles. (with hiv/aids, the buck seems to stop at sex)

Post, host and archive news clippings from all sources and citations on everything listed as fact from a source people can trust. (think Wiki)

Up-to-date links and phone numbers per city/state/country for testing (free and pay) and counseling.

Every year they have an updated list of what condoms rank in terms of quality. List that.

Explain the dental dam.

GIVE THE LAWS on knowingly having sex while hiv/aids+ and not telling your partner.

Give full and true information on Nonoxynol-9 and other spermicides

GET A 501(c)(3) and make it legitimate.

[Lee]

Some great feedback and advice so far thanks everyone

I made a mockup of what i think im going to be looking for in terms of the sites header graphics which you can see here if you are interested..

http://www.stophivaids.com/test/header.jpg

Regards,

Lee

[mgillis]

Lee!

Kudos to you for doing this - education is the best protection against all sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS.

Links to health resources:
Medical information about transmission, HIV/AIDS related illnesses
Local support groups - there may already be places you can search for a local support group, could include links to those
Perhaps hook up with Life After Meth - guys who are trying to rebuild after a meth addiction, often have HIV issues to deal with along with the trauma of the addiction

To lighten the mood, Chi Chi LaRue has a hilarious PSA that you could insert in a flash player - I know that they'd give it to you.

Information is the best tool we have - I'm shocked daily by how ignorant so many of us are about our bodies, our health and our sexual realities.

Good for you, my friend!

Mary

[Squirt]

Wow so much great information in this thread that I don't have anything to add aside from I think the site has amazing potential and the input given so far is excellent!

[DonMike]

IdolKnights and mgillis both have excellent ideas. I just want to add to it that you want to get your information from the most reputiable sources and that you need to update and chage frequently, with every new study.

Lee, you are taking on an incredible amount of responsiblity. If you are going to put up a site that is giving people medical information, you are holding people's lives in your hands. I think it's a great idea, don't get me wrong, and I have a great amount of respect for you for making the decision to help people in this way, but please understand the scope of what you are doing. Medical research and information on any type of disease changes constantly. If you put up some information on your side and then get involved in other things and neglect to change an important bit of information, you could cause someone a lot of problems. If today, for instance, they would say that it's been proven oral sex doesn't transmit the disease and you post it, then a month from now they find out that it can, in fact, spread the virus, and you don't update your site, you could be telling people the wrong information and who knows how many people can get infected by following the information on your site. Sure, this is an extreme example but it is possible.

[DonMike]

Sorry if my last post came out sounding negative. I'm not trying to dissuade you from doing it. I just wanted to play devil's advocate and make sure you look at everything a site like this will entail.

[Lee]

Sorry if my last post came out sounding negative. I'm not trying to dissuade you from doing it. I just wanted to play devil's advocate and make sure you look at everything a site like this will entail.

hehe no problems babe, to be honest i dont think im going to put any 'medical' information on the site for exactly the reasons you stated, instead ill link to places like the UNAIDs project, CDC, TheBody, etc and allow them to have those liabilities.

Regards,

Lee

[DonMike]

hehe no problems babe, to be honest i dont think im going to put any 'medical' information on the site for exactly the reasons you stated, instead ill link to places like the UNAIDs project, CDC, TheBody, etc and allow them to have those liabilities.

Regards,

Lee

Perfect!

[C1R_Andy]

To lighten the mood, Chi Chi LaRue has a hilarious PSA that you could insert in a flash player - I know that they'd give it to you.

Lee, if you want to use it; I'd be happy to send your way. We'd love to participate in ANYTHING promoting safe sex

:cheekymonkey:

[shelmal]

What a great idea lee. I have nothing to add beyond what everyone else has said. I also think its a smart idea to basically have links to the information rather then just put the up to date info. Congrats on doing something positive.