About ACON

BEFOREPLAY

This Mardi Gras ACON is calling on the community to think ahead before they play with the sexy new campaign “BEFOREPLAY”.

The new campaign presents a series of four messages and targets sexually active gay men and lesbians and those that use drugs to enhance sexual pleasure.

Well-known photographer Paul Freemen has created stunning photographic images utilising local community members in a range of culturally realistic scenarios.

The campaign focuses on reducing rates of HIV infection through:

addressing the key factors in high risk events for HIV transmission such as group sex, drug use and lack of clear communication between sexual partners and by;
building on the high impact of the ‘Slip-It-On’ campaign to reinforce safe sex.

The spectrum of sexual relationships

The campaign acknowledges the spectrum of sexual relationships, from one-night-stands to familiar fuck buddies and regular partners. The discussion of HIV status and the kind of sex wanted are always important regardless of how familiar someone is with their sexual partner(s).

The campaign also asks gay men to think ahead about sexual boundaries and how to stick to them in the heat of the moment.

For those who have sex whilst on drugs the campaign encourages the discussion of boundaries whilst always being prepared with condoms and lube. While some guys use amyl nitrite when having sex it’s important to remember that buying amyl is illegal and its use may have health implications from light-headedness, giddiness and the lowering of inhibitions to a loss of consciousness.

For lesbians the campaign highlights the importance of talking about the kind of sex desired and testing regularly for STIs. The use of condoms on sex toys is also reinforced through the imagery of the campaign.

The campaign crew will be on-hand at a number of key Mardi Gras events to help people get ready BEFOREPLAY, so keep an eye out and say hello!

“The BEFOREPLAY campaign presented a great opportunity to incorporate a high-end aesthetic with important health promotion messages relevant to our community. It was an interesting experience capturing community members and the realty of experiences engaged in by our community. I hope the community not only enjoy the campaign but take away important messages so that they can enjoy themselves this Mardi Gras whilst looking after theirs and the communities wellbeing.”- Paul Freeman, Photographer