New trial of HIV vaccine in gay men begins
I read something about this new vaccine a few months ago, and wanted to point out this article in the Boston publication, “Edge.” I remember joining my first HIV study, now many many years ago, with the naive thought that when a vaccine was developed, that people in the study would probably be the first to receive it. I remember the terror I felt as several close friends,m including a guy I had dated, all tested HIV+, although back than, no one really knew what testing positive meant. We were all told that simply being positive didn’t mean you would get sick, or it could be years and years before you did. Two of those three friends have been gone for a very long time. I have no idea about the third. So, given my selfish reason to join a study, it is a bit ironic, that now, I’m too old to participate!
For the new study, which will enroll 1,350 sexually active gay and bi men age 18 to 45 in 12 cities, only men who are circumcised and have no antibodies to Ad5 will be allowed to participate.
I also remember, getting to the 10 year point of the pandemic, and realizing that I had honestly believed that there would be a cure by then. Now almost 30 years has passed, and what looks like a promising trial is about to begin.
This weekend, a National March for Equality will again fill Washington DC, similar in some ways to the 1987 March on Washington. I still remember vividly approaching the Mall at sunrise on that Sunday morning to see the first ever display of the Names Project Quilt. It is possible that seeing the Quilt changed my life as an artist and a photographer, more than any other activity or event, Â …ever.
Then and now, we march for equal rights, yet the devastation of this horrific disease hasn’t ended.
New trial of HIV vaccine in gay men begins :: EDGE Boston.
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