Gay men are being warned that HIV can also be caught through their penises in a campaign being launched by the Terrence Higgins Trust.
The poster campaign by the HIV/AIDS charity is aimed at countering the myth that HIV can only be caught if men are "bottoms". It uses an illustration of a penis with a strap line reading: "During anal sex, HIV can enter the bloodstream through the absorbent head of the cock. Condoms stop this."
The campaign will appear on ads in London's gay press until late April. The ads will also go on posters and postcards in bars, saunas, GUM clinics and community centres and web banners on Gaydar. Posters are available with neutral imagery and are suitable for display in gay venues.
"Whilst it's true that 'bottoms' have a greater risk of becoming infected if they have sex without a condom, it's important that 'tops' are aware that HIV can also be passed on through the penis," said Alan Wardle, head of health promotion.
"The message here is that being a 'top' won't necessarily reduce your risk - condoms will."
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