It has been thirty years since the HIV virus was discovered, and despite great progress, more people are contracting HIV in the UK than ever before. In addition, as was true at the start of the epidemic, it is still gay men who are disproportionately affected. Worryingly, diagnoses among young gay men have doubled in 10 years. The lack of progress in reducing HIV transmissions is unacceptable, and urgently requires renewed leadership from local and national government.

In September 2014 we joined forces with QX magazine on an open letter to political leaders in the calling for: ‘All political parties to commit to age-appropriate SRE which includes content on same-sex relationships.’

Last week we published the results of a nationwide survey of young men who are attracted to other men. The results are stark and telling of the current situation which many young gay men find themselves in: bullied at school; a curriculum which does not or did not meet their needs; and a poor understanding of HIV. All these factors add up to a fertile environment for HIV transmission-risk behavior.