New! 

Up to date information about HIV and the ageing process.

Trick or treat: Antiretroviral Therapy as HIV Prevention ANET invited a group of authors from the Australian HIV sector to consider the issue of ARV therapy as prevention with a particular focus on recent debates and their application to the Australian context, as well as wider implications.

Access: Partners, Family and friends
Aimed at partners, family and friends of PLWHA, this booklet answers many frequently asked questions and also provides a comprehensive organisation contact listing. Published November 1998

‘Ahead of time: A practical guide for growing older with HIV’ (PDF 1.3 MB) is a new booklet developed by AFAO and NAPWA, in conjunction with ACON. This booklet includes up to date information about HIV and the ageing process that is relevant to the lives and health of people living with and growing older with HIV - so they can prepare and plan for their future health needs. The booklet also contains a comprehensive list of service providers’ contact details.

If you would like to order hard copies of this new resource, or would like more information about services for people living with HIV, please contact your local AIDS council or PLHIV organisation. Published February 2010

Between the sheets (PDF 1.5MB)

This magazine for gay men takes a light-hearted and sometimes tongue-in-cheek look at HIV issues within relationships PublishedJune 2005

If you are on HIV treatments and either occasionally or regularly take recreational, or party drugs, or use prescription drugs recreationally, Dangerous Liaisons (PDF - 99KB) will provide you with information that may help you avoid dangers resulting from some drug combinations. Dangerous Liaisons also contains some information about known or potential interactions between HIV treatment drugs and other prescription drugs that may occur (even) when both types of drugs are used as prescribed. Published 2002

Applying for Permanent Residence in Australia Publication date: January 1996. Updated July 2004. Only available online.

At Home - Away 
The travel campaign, which consisted of two posters and two booklets, targeted both gay men travelling overseas and gay men travelling from regional/rural areas to larger Australian cities. The campaign was developed from AFAO's travel research project. The posters aimed to to reinforce existing safe sex messages and assist men to develop and maintain a range of safe sex strategies when they are travelling away from home. A passport size booklet for HIV positive gay men aimed to assist them to maintain adherence to their treatments while travelling overseas. The booklet and posters are now out of print but updated content is still available on this website. Published July 2001, Updated January 2010

The second booklet, The States You're In, targeted rural gay men.

Proud to be Black, Proud to be Gay is a series of three posters that portray Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander gay men in a fun, strong, and confident light; representing positive role models for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander gay community. The main message in this poster series identifies these men as bearers of an important message; encouraging each other to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS and STIs, to wear condoms, to talk to each other about these issues and by doing so, they are also educating their own people and communities.

The ‘Black, Gay & Proud’ posters are available in various sizes from your local AIDS Council or PLHIV organisation.

Publication date: 2009.

www.condoms.org.au AFAO website about using condoms.

Stop the Drama Downunder! A sexual health guide for gay men (PDF 756 KB)

This pocket-sized booklet contains information on each STI, including transmission, symptoms, testing and treatment, and things to consider if HIV-positive. It also contains other information on topics such as regular testing and what’s involved in a sexual health check, letting previous partners know, how to reduce the risk, and HIV and STI interactions. Published October 2009.

See also:http://thedramadownunder.info/

Everyday pleasures

This campaign features interviews with a cross section of people with HIV. Publication date: July 2001 Only available online

AFAO Factsheets

Download these factsheets as PDFs or pick up a copy at your local PLWHA or AIDS Council.

Common tests January 2010

Information for heterosexual people living with HIV January 2010

The importance of giving up smoking for people with HIV December 2009

Undetectable viral load and risk of HIV transmission: the ‘Swiss Statement’ December 2009

Gay men and HIV disclosure December 2009

Information of adherence and hints to help manage your HIV medications July 2009

Information on viral load testing and what the results mean July 2009

Gay men's guide to sexual health checks July 2009

Referral and contact details July 2009

Updated January 2010

HIV Balance (PDF 603KB)

A healthy lifestyle has been shown to significantly reduce the risks of developing cardiovascular, diabetes and osteoarthritis problems and can also enhance the benefits of the ARVs and increase the life expectancy and improve the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).This campaign features the stories of six PLWHA, in which they explore how they manage the balance between healthy living and HIV management.

The campaign ran in a special edition of Positive Living in July 2008. You can read the stories on the NAPWA website, or download the whole edition as a PDF.

HIV and Us Mob Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with HIV.

Published July 2003.

HIV/AIDS and Your Rights  (PDF - 187KB)
This booklet answers a large number of commonly asked questions about the rights of anyone affected by HIV/AIDS. The booklet covers the topics of antibody testing, discrimination, insurance and superannuation, welfare benefits and medical treatment. Questions include: Should I take the HIV antibody test? Can a doctor make me take a test? If I know that I have HIV or AIDS should I tell my life insurance company? Who makes decisions about my medical treatment if I am too ill to decide?
Published 1998. Updated 2006

HIV tests & treatments (PDF 2.14MB)

The information in this booklet is designed to help you:

• understand how HIV antiviral treatments work, and what drugs are currently available;
• understand the different tests which might be suggested by your doctor to help monitor your health; and
• work with your doctor to come up with the most appropriate HIV treatment and management strategy for you – whether with or without antiviral drugs.

It also contains some information about:

• drug side effects and how they might be managed; and
• tips and tricks for getting the most out of your drugs.

Published July 2009

This resource contains useful information about managing side-effects through complementary therapy, medical and drug treatments. It is organised by type of side-effect rather than by specific HIV drug (or drug class), and covers effects such as diarrhoea, headache, peripheral neuropathy, fatigue, anaemia, night sweats, skin problems, blood sugar changes, cholesterol, and liver and kidney problems. The resource provides information on complementary and supportive therapies, medical and drug treatments, and special precautions and considerations for each side-effect. Also included is an extensive glossary of terms and information about how to find a qualified practitioner in various complementary medicine modalities. Published January 2008

Next Steps is a new resource for people recently diagnosed with HIV. It covers a range of issues including treatments and monitoring, transmitting and preventing HIV, safe sex, relationships, sexually transmitted infections, your rights, women's issues, looking after your health and the stages of adapting after diagnosis. It is easy to read, and includes real-life stories from people who have been diagnosed with HIV. Published November 2008

Download Next Steps (PDF, large file)

No Worries is a campaign for gay men that answers some common questions about sex and HIV, such as: "Can I still pass on HIV if my last viral load test was 'undetectable? and "Is it safer to fuck than be fucked?" Published 2001

Read it on this site.

Oral sex information resources
Oral Sex and HIV Transmission Basic Fact Sheet; (RTF) "Orogenital Sex Between Men" (paper by Darryl O'Donnell), "The Mouth, Oral Sex Between Men and HIV" (excerpt from the AFAO HIV/AIDS Resource Manual); press advertisements; A4 graffitti-style information sheets. Published November 1998

Out Late: A Guide for Older Men Coming Out  (PDF 833 kb)

This resource provides information about sexual identity and coming out as an older gay man as well as important information about health and safe sex.

Second edition March 2010

Positive Gay Asian Posters
A campaign consisting of three posters targeted at gay Asian men living with HIV and the Asian communities more broadly. The campaign aims to encourage positive gay Asian men to make contact with their local AIDS Council. The posters can be viewed on our home page. Published May 1999

Real time: the truth about fucking without condoms (PDF 680 KB)

This workbook style resource is designed to help gay men - both positive and negative - work out how to stay safe and avoid taking risks. The resource contains information and exercises to enable you to reflect on your choices and your past and present behaviour, and help you overcome feelings or thoughts that may get in the way of healthier choices.

Published July 2009

A recap of HIV prevention issues and strategies for gay men. Interactive Flash page, 34pp. Print copies are available from AIDS Councils and PLWHA organisations. Published May 2008

www.thinkagain.com.au AFAO website about HIV disclosure. Often HIV-negative men and HIV-positive men think very differently about the issues of HIV disclosure. This campaign is about mistaken expectations, assumptions and misunderstandings.

The Dirty Truth: available only from AIDS Councils, PLWHA organisations and gay venues. Published April 2008

The states you're in
A small and discreet booklet for HIV positive and HIV negative gay men who live in rural and regional areas. The text includes direct quotes from rural and regional gay men who participated in AFAO’s travel research project. A discussion of being gay and living in the country will introduce the text and lead into a discussion of travelling, sex away from home, and the gay scene in Australian cities. Published June 2001

The booklet is now out of print but updated content is still available on this website. Updated January 2010

Top Tips For Living Well with HIVTop Tips For Living Well with HIV is a website (www.hivtoptips.org.au) that provides important information for people living with HIV about the day-to-day management and treatment of HIV. It includes tips relevant to the lives and health of people living with HIV, along with links to related information and contact information. You can also download the information as a booklet (PDF, 2.83 MB). Updated January 2010.

We're Family Too Discrimination poster to raise awareness within AIDS Councils and Aboriginal Medical Services of the needs of, and the potential discrimination that may exist towards Indigenous gays, transgenders, PLWHA, drug users and sex workers. The poster is also designed to reach the broader community addressing issues of discrimination. Publication date: May 2000 Only available online.

You are not alone
Produced in conjunction with VAC/GMHC, this multilanguage resource is in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Khmer. Targeting people who are newly diagnosed with HIV, the resource is ideally placed to assist people to understand treatments related issues, including how best to monitor your health, transmission of HIV, disclosure, sex, and who to contact in your state for assistance, advice, resources and support. Only available online. Published August 2000.

Chinese (808 KB) | Vietnamese (1,270 KB) | Thai (1,195 KB) | Khmer(2,130 KB)