December 2018 Issue #24 December 2018 Issue #24 CHRISTMAS | Page 120

PrEP TALK
If condom-free porn is becoming the standard industry practice, does the normality of
bareback porn affect gay men’s attitudes towards sex?
“Is really a pragmatic response to my sexual habits as I bareback rather a lot,” Bruce
explains. “I do frankly think it should be available on the NHS because the protection
it provides should be accessible for all those in high risk groups. I am HIV-negative
and on PrEP. I have met poz guys who don’t like barebacking with neg guys, but have
changed their mind on hearing I’m on PrEP.”
“I am on PrEP daily,” says Tom, 37 from London. “I always make sure I have bareback
sex with other PrEP users or undetectable positive people.”
Mike, 30 from Manchester, would use PrEP if it were available on the NHS. “Better
safe than sorry,” he says, “especially when my dick takes over my brain and I do things
I know are risky, but I’m too horny to think clearly.”
PrEP WORK
“If you have unprotected sex with lots of sexual partners, the chances are that you will
pick up STIs – and unless you are taking PrEP, that includes HIV,” says GMFA’s Mat-
thew Hodson.
“Some people go through periods of their lives when they feel that they are not able to
stop having unprotected sex. For many this will just be a phase, for some it’s a long-
term choice. For these people PrEP could make a real difference, and the cost of pro-
viding PrEP for a period is much cheaper than the cost of HIV treatment and care for
life.”
PORN EXPECTATIONS
“Gay men who struggle with their use of chems for sex often say that it’s as a result of
wanting to live up to the porn fantasy of sex,” Matthew adds.
“It’s a part of the struggle of modern life that our expectations are often raised far be-
yond what we are likely to achieve.”
Steven from Eurocreme disagrees, adding: “Gay porn, I believe, doesn’t set the stan-
dard for sex. It acts as an access point to find what you’re into. Some people may be
disappointed in sex at times – even porn stars get that from time to time – but that’s
life. Not every day will be a blast, so why should we expect the same to happen in
sex?
“If you feel down in the dumps regularly in life, you should talk about it with some-
one and inevitably try changing your perception or find what’s bringing you down and
change it. The same goes for sex.
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