Bareback Mountin'

I've dated two very cool Germans, and I've always wanted to visit Berlin, but this discussion on a British blog gives me pause.

I just came back from the Hustler Ball in Berlin, I must say the liberal approach to bareback[ing] is frightening. I assume that this is because the drugs are so good to fight HIV infection that nobody gives a shit anymore.

OK, it's not totally surprising that unsafe sex is common at something called the Hustler Ball (whatever that is), but then check out this reply to that post.

Yes, in Berlin bareback is the rule, not the exception, and not just at the big events, but every day, in the bars, clubs, etc. If you use a condom, people assume you are a tourist. Many accept it, however, though some insist on bareback.

That's disturbing, but it's consistent with my impression of younger guys who have sex with guys even in New York.

I am committed to avoiding sexual moralism, but when this behavior becomes the rule among young queer guys, there needs to be a public health response. New, non-stigmatizing safer sex messages need to get out there.

A young friend of mine just found out that he seroconverted within the past six months, and he already has AIDS (i.e., his T-cell count immediately became so low that he technically has AIDS). Who knows how the drug cocktails will work on his virus. I am crossing my fingers they'll beat it, but to be honest he seems to have caught a really bad strain of HIV. And he practiced safe sex except with one guy who he was dating.

The virus is mutating and that message is not being communicated to young men who have sex with men.

Sorry, I can't think of a fun, Left Behinds-ey spin on this.