Global initiative launched on gay app Hornet to modernise safe sex message
US-based听health organisation The Global Forum on MSM and HIV (MSMGF) have teamed up with gay听dating app Hornet听for听a new digital campaign to help modernise the HIV prevention message.
听听is a collaboration from the two organisations that prompts Horney app users to answer a short series of “yes/no” questions about their sexual health.
The questions relate to HIV and STI testing, ARV (anti-retroviral) treatment, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), viral load, disclosure, stigma, condom and lubricant use, and other safe sex听methods.
Hornet users who undertake the survey and qualify听will receive a blue ribbon icon on their profile photo signifying their personal commitment to sexual health, regardless听of their HIV status.
Men who do not qualify for a blue ribbon are offered recommendations for ways to help protect and improve their sexual health so they can become a Blue Ribbon Boy.
The purpose听of the Blue Ribbon Boys in-app questionnaire is to modernise the safe sex message for men who have sex with men (MSM) by reintroducing sex into the safe sex conversation and by informing men about the diverse range of prevention options available to them.
The Blue Ribbon Boys icon is an amalgamation of the red ribbon used for World AIDS day combined with the colour of the Truvada, the first blue pill approved for PrEP treatment in the US and France.
While PrEP is not available yet readily available in Australia unless it is imported online, MSMGF hope to听create social awareness and demand and to pressure the Australian government to expedite change.
MSMGF听also听believe this will be the largest viral suppression effort to date, reaching over seven听million users across the Hornet network.
For details,听visit
This is really great because it’s promoting safe sex and not just the stigma against being HIV positive!