This article appeared in the Province on May 24, 1995.
by Holly Horwood
A massive new study of young gay and bisexual men will try to discover why such men are still dying of AIDS despite a decade of information on "safe sex."
Funded by Health Canada, the "Vanguard" study hopes to track 1,000 Lower Mainland young men - many of whom are at high risk for acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
"I admit that I have had unsafe sex - despite growing up with the knowledge that it can kill you," says university-educated, 23-year-old Chris, one of 70 gay men who have signed on for the study, to be launched today.
"Sexuality doesn't always include rational thought....Suddenly the question about how to get people to protect themselves becomes much more complicated."
Researchers will use classified ads in gay publications, computer bulletin boards and posters to attract recruits, aged 18 to 30.
Dr. Steffanie Strathdee, the project's manager, says Vancouver is the "epicentre" of the AIDS epidemic in Canada.
"The life expectancy for gay and bisexual men living in Vancouver is eight to 20 years less than that for all men," she says.
Anyone interested in taking part can contact Steve Martindale at 687-2469, fax 631-5464, or e-mail at stevem@hivnet.ubc.ca.
For more information, contact:
Bonnie Devlin
Vanguard Project Coordinator
608 - 1081 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6Z 1Y6
Tel: (604)806-8306
Fax: (604)806-9044