This National Condom Week (18-24 May) Terrence Higgins Trust is urging gay men to ‘get it on’ and use condoms as the risk of acquiring HIV or other sexually transmitted infections is higher than ever.
 
Over 32,000 gay or bisexual men are now living with HIV and a quarter of them are unaware of their infection. The ‘Get it On’ campaign promotes condom use and gives information on how to make condoms work for you, including how to choose the right condoms and lube.
Marc Thompson, Deputy Head of Health Promotion at Terrence Higgins Trust said, "National Condom Week is the perfect opportunity for us to raise awareness of the importance of safer sex. Not using condoms, especially with casual partners, is more risky than ever. You can’t rely on your partner to tell you they have HIV as thousands of men don’t know they have it. It can be hard to talk about sex and ask to use condoms but it’s worth it.”
 
Free condoms and lube are available from many gay bars, clubs, saunas, backrooms and gyms. It’s also important that men carry their own as they can run out. Condoms are also available free from sexual health clinics, Terrence Higgins Trust and other HIV organisations, HIV clinics, some doctors’ surgeries and health centres. Some internet sites sell a large variety of condoms. www.freedoms-shop.com sells cheaper condoms and lube, delivered direct to your door.
 
To find out more about ‘Get it On’ visit: www.chapsonline.org.uk/getiton