As rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections increase actor Antony Cotton has teamed up with Terrence Higgins Trust to encourage gay men to use condoms this Valentine’s Day.

In 2007, over three thousand gay men were newly diagnosed with HIV and over 32,000 were living with the condition. The Health Protection Agency estimates that up to 10,000 gay men in the UK have HIV but remain undiagnosed.  Gay men are also disproportionately affected by other sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhoea and syphilis.

Antony said “I am still shocked and saddened when I hear how many gay men are diagnosed with HIV each year. It makes safer sex more important than ever. Relying on your partner to tell you they have HIV is a risky strategy as thousands of men don’t know they have it.  If you’re going to get it on this Valentine’s Day make sure you use a condom.”

Marc Thompson, Deputy Head of Health Promotion at Terrence Higgins Trust said, "We're not trying to make condoms sexy and we're not trying to pretend they're always easy to use but they’re still the best way to protect yourself from HIV and sexually transmitted infections.  Nine out of ten gay men use condoms, so they’re central to most men’s sex lives.  You can pick up free condoms in bars and GUM clinics."

To find out more about condom use and where to get free or cheap condoms please visit the ‘Get it on’ website at www.condoms.chapsonline.org.uk

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