San Francisco Launches ‘Provocative’ HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign Aimed at Gay, Bisexual Men

San Francisco health officials yesterday launched a "provocative" HIV/AIDS awareness campaign aimed at gay and bisexual men, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Several recent studies by the city Department of Public Health have indicated that "risky" sexual behaviors, such as engaging in unprotected sex with multiple, anonymous partners, is increasing among gay and bisexual men in the city. To combat the trend, the city has designed a new $37,000 ad campaign depicting "HIV-positive men suffering from the debilitating side effects of AIDS and the drugs used to treat it," the Chronicle reports. One ad, titled "Crix Belly," depicts a man with a distended abdomen and features the slogan "HIV Is No Picnic." "Crix" is a reference to the protease inhibitor Crixivan, which can cause lipodystrophy, an irregular redistribution of fat deposits, in some users. Other ads make reference to common drug side effects, such as diarrhea, facial wasting and night sweats. The city-funded ads will appear in bus shelters and public restrooms throughout the city (San Francisco Chronicle, 10/10).