LYC plugs the gaps in sexual health education

LYC plugs the gaps in sexual health education

The LYC website has been re-developed into a one-stop-shop for young gay and bisexual men, offering highly relevant and media-rich sexual health information.

Appropriate sexual education for young gay and bisexual men is non-existent in many New Zealand high schools, and the LYC website is designed to fill this void. Research tells us that, in the absence of relevant sexual education at school or at home, these young men are turning to the internet to learn about gay sex. Internet searches on mobile devices are an easy way to discreetly seek out such information– unfortunately this also means the sources are often porn, which isn’t always the healthiest or safest means of being educated.

Recognising that mobile is the primary device being used for accessing this knowledge, the new website has been designed first for mobile, with tablet and desktop versions being adapted from the mobile version.

The new LYC website, designed by Pitch Studio, pushes this educational value of the previous site even further, with greater engagement and a cutting-edge design. It gives gay and bisexual men what they need to equip themselves to be safe, with highly engaging imagery and videos.

Key elements are the instructional videos featuring real men, with topics such as how to have anal sex and how to put on a condom. These instructional videos are being viewed by 40 people per hour.

Research shows that young gay and bisexual men respond well to real-world resources such as these.

The new website also includes relevant content for high-risk gay and bisexual men, with the popular ask a sexpert section answering visitors’ questions about HIV, undetectable viral load and PrEP.

LYC is for all gay and bisexual men, regardless of culture or background. However, we recognise that the voices and experiences of ethnic minorities can sometimes lack visibility in the gay community so the new website includes news, events and blogs that reflect our diverse Takatāpui, Pacific Island, and Asian communities.

Novel methods to promote condom use for anal sex as a normal behaviour for young gay and bisexual men are needed now more than ever. For such HIV prevention resources to be successful, they must reflect the wants and needs of the target audience – something that has been front-of-mind in the development of the new website.

Check it out at www.loveyourcondom.co.nz!

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