Obama to Skip International AIDS Conference, Will Send Video

President Obama will send a video to the 19th International AIDS Conference next week but won't attend in person, the Washington Blade reports:

In a notice issued on Monday, the White House announced that Obama is set to provide a brief video message for the conference, which will take place next week in D.C., as part of “[c]ontinuing his personal engagement on this issue.” Shin Inouye, a White House spokesperson, confirmed this video message will be in lieu of a live appearance at the event.

“The president will not be speaking at the conference,” Inouye said. “He will provide a brief video message to welcome Conference attendees from around the world to Washington.”

The Conference will include a number of high-profile speakers and attendees:

Other high-ranking administration officials are set to attend the event, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius; U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Ambassador Eric Goosby; Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy Grant Colfax; and Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health.

Past presidents will make an appearance at the conference: former President Clinton is slated to speak as well as former President George W. Bush, who set up the fund known as U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, and former first lady Laura Bush.

More at the Blade...

FDA Approves Truvada Which Claims to Reduce Risk of HIV Infection: VIDEO

The FDA today approved  Gilead Sciences' pill Truvada as a preventive measure for people who are at high risk of acquiring HIV through sexual activity, the AP reports:

Public health advocates say the approval could help slow the spread of HIV, which has held steady at about 50,000 new infections per year for the past 15 years.

An estimated 1.2 million Americans have HIV, which develops into AIDS unless treated with antiviral drugs. An estimated 240,000 HIV carriers remain unaware of their status.

Gilead Sciences has marketed Truvada, which can cost up to $14,000 a year, since 2004 as a treatment for people who are already infected with the virus.

Writes the FDA in a press release:

As part of PrEP, HIV-uninfected individuals who are at high risk will need to take Truvada daily to lower their chances of becoming infected with HIV should they be exposed to the virus. Again, PrEP indication means Truvada is approved for use as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy that includes other prevention methods, such as safe sex practices, risk reduction counseling, and regular HIV testing.

As a part of this action, FDA is strengthening Truvada's Boxed Warning to alert health care professionals and uninfected individuals that Truvada for PrEP must only be used by individuals who are confirmed to be HIV-negative prior to prescribing the drug and at least every three months during use to reduce the risk of development of resistant HIV-1 variants. The drug is contraindicated for PrEP in individuals with unknown or positive HIV status.

Watch Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases discuss the drug with PBS Newshour's Ray Suarez, AFTER THE JUMP...

Lady Gaga Unveils Provocative Attire in 'Fame' Fragrance Ad

What's Lady Gaga wearing in the ad for her new 'Fame' fragrance, shot by Steven Klein?

You may find it inspired, or disturbing.

Find out, AFTER THE JUMP...

Click to VIEW THE (work-unfriendly) PHOTO

Man Writes Filthy Gay Love Song for Joseph Gordon-Levitt: VIDEO

Singer-songwriter and performer Mat Burrow has penned a filthy love song for Joseph Gordon-Levitt, which he performs delightfully here on his ukulele.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

(via gawker)

Queers Through the Years: VIDEO

Tourisme Montréal has an annual Queer of the Year contest. This year they've punctuated it with a dedicated rap song.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

'Good Times' Actor J.J. Walker: I'm Against Gay Marriage and I'll Be Seen as an Idiot For It

Actor J.J. Walker, star of the 70's sitcom Good Times, appeared on CNN to plug his memoir titled after his 'GT' catchphrase 'Dyn-o-mite', and was asked about his stance on gay marriage:

CNN: You're also against gay marriage.

Walker: Yeah I am. There's just certain traditions that need to be upheld. I'll give you the other side of it, no it doesn't affect me, no it doesn't change my life. There's just traditions that need to be dealt with. I'm a believer that gay marriage should be passed because the battle is not worth the war. The gay lobby is very loud. I'm totally against it. In 100 years from now, people are going to go, 'Who was against gay marriage?' And I'll be one of those idiots and say, 'That's me.' I'm just against it on moral grounds, that's it. I'm as much a heathen as anybody. I just don't believe on moral grounds it should be done. I don't like it, I don't accept it.