23 November 2009

Two gay adult film stars from the US are set to share the tricks of their trade with gay men in Sydney.

Bruno Bond and Steve Cruz from Raging Stallion Studios have teamed up with ACON, Australia’s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) health and HIV/AIDS organisation, to help educate gay men about preventing HIV and other sexually transmissible infections.

The on and off-screen couple are well-known advocates for HIV and STI prevention and always use condoms in their movies as a way of encouraging gay men to practice safe sex. They’ve been brought out to Australia by the Victorian AIDS Council and are visiting Sydney as part of their trip.

The two performers will feature at a special community forum on Friday 4 December titled In Bed With A Porn Star where they’ll share stories about their adult movie careers, the adult movie industry and how they incorporate safe sex into their work.

In addition to the forum, they’ll also join members of world champion gay rugby team the Sydney Convicts on Thursday 3 December for a tour of selected Oxford St venues to promote ACON’s latest condom campaign Slip It On.

And they’ll join 200 other volunteers selling red ribbons on the streets of Sydney on World AIDS Day (Tue 1 Dec) by doing a lunchtime shift at Taylor Square.

ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill says finding new ways to promote safe sex is an important part of ACON’s work.

“HIV is one of the biggest health issues for gay men in Australia who account for over 70 percent of new diagnoses,” Mr Parkhill says.

“In NSW, the rate of HIV transmission has been relatively stable for over 10 years because most gay men in NSW use condoms most of the time.

“However, we always need to reinvent our safe sex messages to ensure they remain relevant, engaging and effective.

“A little bit of sugar always helps the medicine go down and Bruno and Steve’s visit is providing us with a unique and innovative way to help gay men engage with an important issue for their health and wellbeing.

“We’d also like to thank the Victorian AIDS Council for partnering with us on this event.”

What, when, where?

WHAT: In Bed With A Porn Star

WHEN: Friday 4 December, 9pm

WHERE: Midnight Shift, Oxford St, Sydney

COST: FREE

BOOKINGS: No bookings required…just come along on the night