It’s time to break the taboo and talk about those pesky little bum jewels – haemorrhoids. Adding anal to the mix makes haemorrhoids an even itchier subject. But as gays who may enjoy receiving or giving butt play, it’s important to know what exactly those hole posts are and what to do about them so that you can take care of your own (or someone else’s) assets. A pain in the butt, haemorrhoids are, unfortunately, very common. In fact, more than half of people will experience them before they’re fifty. We’ll take you through everything you need to know about these arse grapes and talk all things ..read more

Despite our best efforts, life’s not all fun and games. When things get tough, there’s no shame in asking for help. We want to make sure you’re taken care of — that’s why we’ve compiled this list of LGBTQ-friendly services where you can find the support you need. Explore support services for mental health, alcohol and drug use, family violence, gender diversity, and peer navigation. To make things easy, we’ve organised resources by category and location. In this article: Urgent Help National Lifeline: A national hotline providing 24/7 crisis support. Please call 13 11 14. Emergency: 000. Beyo ..read more

We spoke to gym coach and trans powerlifter Tats the Strength Senpai about his training journey and advice for wanna-be gym gays. Powerlifting: a strength-based sport that involves three main lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift. The goal of powerlifting is to lift as much weight as possible in each of these three lifts. Who are you? My name is Tats (he/him), and I’m a coach at Alpha Athletes in Sydney. I am a transgender powerlifting athlete. I’m Chinese and 29. @strengthsenpai Allow me to introduce myself properly. My name’s Tats. I was a overweight kid with a drug addiction who got clea ..read more

One of the big three STIs – syphilis is a common Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) which affects gay and bi guys. What’s also common are certain myths and misconceptions about syphilis, which can stigmatise the STI and discourage people from getting treated. From how it’s transmitted to how to treat it, we’ve pulled together some myths surrounding syphilis so you know how best to manage a case of it. 1. MYTH: syphilis is a thing of the past Although syphilis has been around for a while (500 years or so!), you can still get it today, and it is on the rise. The rates of syphilis infections ha ..read more

So, you’re questioning your sexuality. This is okay! This is normal. We’ll take you through some of these feelings to put your mind at ease. A common experience for queer and straight people alike, ‘questioning’ even has its own letter in the LGBTQ acronym. If you’ve typed in ‘am I gay’ in your search bar, leave the silly BuzzFeed quizzes alone and tune in for some helpful tips on coming to terms with your sexuality. What is sexuality? Sexuality can be the feelings and attractions we feel (or don’t feel) towards others. Things to remember about sexuality: Questioning your sexuality is a very ..read more

Everyone should be able to get HIV treatment. We’re here to show you where to get yours for free. In Australia, Medicare is a government system that subsidises medical procedures and treatments. People living with HIV in Australia who don’t have Medicare can access HIV treatment from government-funded hospital pharmacies. Is HIV treatment free in Australia? Even without Medicare? HIV treatment is free for people who have Medicare in Australia. It is also free for most people without a Medicare card at public hospital pharmacies. This includes people on student, travel, or temporary work visas ..read more

So, you’ve been enjoying D’s but don’t know the difference between your P’s. That’s okay! Your sexual health is important, though, so let’s brush up on what PrEP and PEP are and how you can use them to protect yourself from HIV. What’s the difference between PrEP vs PEP? The main difference is that P-r-E-P protects someone from HIV BEFORE having sex, while P-E-P is used AFTER sex to stop HIV transmission. PrEP is for people planning to have sex, providing protection beforehand, while PEP is for people who may have already been exposed to HIV without protection, offering them a chance to remain ..read more

The tangy, nose-turning scent of mozzie repellent is the perfume of Aussie summer. As the weather (like our saunas) gets steamier and wetter, mosquitoes are multiplying. So, what risks do these tiny vampires pose? Can mozzies transmit HIV? And what can you do to protect yourself this hot gay summer? We’re here to clear the air on mosquitoes. Can you get HIV from a mosquito bite? You’re wondering if that annoying buzzing that’s been keeping you awake all night is going to pass on HIV? The answer is no. Mosquitoes cannot carry HIV, as they don’t have CD4 cells (T-cells) like us. Since CD4 cells ..read more

Are you afraid of taking an HIV test? Maybe you think it’s too scary, too time-consuming, or too embarrassing. Perhaps you think you don’t need one because you’ve always been careful. It’s important to remember that HIV doesn’t discriminate — it can affect anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, race, or gender. And the only way to know for sure whether you have HIV or not is to get tested. Maybe you’re reading this because it’s been on your mind… but we want to assure you that taking an HIV test isn’t something to be afraid of. By getting tested, you’re taking control of your health a ..read more

At least one of my friends does Dry July or Sober October every year. And it got me thinking about how alcohol is central to so much of my social activity. But, for some guys in queer communities, drinking sometimes goes far beyond a casual meet-up with friends. The venues we love to gather and feel safe in serve alcohol. I can’t think of many gay social spaces that don’t! Drinking can promote a sense of confidence, making it easier to talk to whoever’s beside us (and perhaps more!). But there can be a dark side to drinking, too. One study concluded that younger queer folks are more likely to ..read more