PrEP is a medication that is highly effective at preventing HIV, yet all across Europe people still struggle to get adequate information and access to something that can change lives and radically transform the HIV epidemic. PrEP organizers and advocates mean to change that. The 2019 PrEP in Europe summit convenes in Warsaw, Poland, Oct. 10-12, and it brings together people from all across the continent. This convening is an opportunity to mobilize around the right to PrEP and unrestricted access to all HIV prevention options in Europe.

The organizers explain the aim of the PrEP in Europe summit “is to articulate how we, as members of the affected communities and their allies, want to be able to benefit from PrEP. We are mobilising not just for the Right to PrEP, but the Right PrEP — provided in ways that most align to our needs for protection from HIV, and for good sexual healthcare.”

I had the chance to chat with Gus Cairns, the coordinator of the PrEP in Europe summit, and we delved into the various issues that come up around PrEP for gay men. While the science of PrEP is well-established, there are still many gay men across Europe who don’t know what it is or how they can benefit from it. Additionally those who do want to take PrEP can encounter various barriers to the medication, including costs, homophobia and stigma. Read more via Hornet