Q: "Though I wasn't diagnosed that long ago, my doctor wants me to start on HIV medications (he also says my T-cell levels are really good). I had always heard you should wait as long as you could before starting HIV meds, but the nurse in my doctor's office explained that the new protocol is to start meds immediately upon diagnosis. Which is true? I was given a prescription for Atripla, but I'm scared to take this because my friend suffered some side effects (a bad rash and crazy dreams) when he took this medication. He couldn't continue it. Will... Continue reading

Don't have time to find today's hottest health-related (or just plain inspiring) headlines? Here's what making news as we speak (we opt for the upbeat or amusing, when at all possible). After all, you can find all the bad news on CNN, right?)... Enjoy your day! HORMONE THERAPY: Happy Monday! MUST READ: Boy Scouts ban to be lifted? Well, not exactly... WALKING MAN: Joe Bell, father of gay teen who committed suicide, takes anti-bullying message cross-country ... I NEED A 'HERO': Bill Clinton talks DOMA at GLAAD awards ... POP CULTURE: Darren Criss's "Call Me Maybe" With a (Gay) Twist... Continue reading

With far too many people still questioning the right of gay couple's to marry and adopt children, had to share this incredible video from New York playwright Peter Mercurio, whose recent New York Times editorial about he and his husband's unusual but inspiring path to parenthood is generating tremendous attention and showcasing the real meaning of life, love and family. Enjoy and please share this! Continue reading

Q: I'm 20 years old and I'm at the point in my life where I'm unsure of everything. I'm lost. I feel that I don't know what to do with myself. I'm currently going to school and left my job in retail. I find hard even to find a boyfriend who's masculine (I'm not fully masc or fem myself). I do feel generally I'm attractive but my self esteem is very low when next to extremely attractive people (via guys). My bodies [sic] pretty tight, I have abs, v-cut and slim. I just don't know how to function or interact... Continue reading

UPDATED: Want to get skinnier, healthier and happier in 2013? How about boosting your energy, mental clarity and libido? That may sound like a pipe dream, but for many health-conscious New Yorkers, turning to renowned colon therapist Tracy Piper, founder of The Piper Center in New York City, is anything but (apologies for the bad pun) when it comes to giving their wellness a much-needed boost. In this exclusive interview with ShoutOutHealth.com, Ms. Piper shares her insights on what she believes to be one of the biggest culprits to ill health—gluten. What exactly is gluten? The word 'gluten' has become... Continue reading

UPDATED: The best way for this writer to 'report' on a wellness therapy recently undertaken in the pursuit of better health, optimal wellness and greater vitality is to, um, start at the end. Admittedly, I felt no small measure of relief as I hit the streets of New York City's Soho area immediately after my session, yet was there also a bit more energy, even spring in my step? One thing is for sure, I sure felt a whole lot lighter! My latest wellness adventure had brought me to the cobblestones of Soho off Spring Street, where Tracy Piper --... Continue reading

"How To Survive a Plague" is a must-see film for every generation, and an incredible reminder that together, we really can change the world. Watching this generation stand up amidst unspeakable fear, tragedy and loss and find the courage to fight for visibility, equality and dignity is awe inspiring. Have you seen it yet? It's playing in theatres and on In Demand in selected cities, so check your local listings! Go here for more information or showtimes. Continue reading

Q: I am looking into options for penis enlargement. Can you tell me about the options and the side effects? A: Almost every man, porn stars included, would in theory want to increase their manhood. But before we get to the possible ways to lengthen and/or widen your disco stick, there is an important thing to consider. Many men think they are "less than average" in size, but the typical erect penis is usually five to six inches long with a circumference of four to five inches. Does that sound familiar? There is a psychiatric diagnosis known as `penile dysmorphic... Continue reading

We love this message featuring WKBT-TV anchorwoman Jennifer Livingston (in La Crosse, Wis.), and especially her shout out to the LGBT community near the end of the video. Go Jennifer! Continue reading

Q: I am HIV positive, and I have a new doctor specifically for managing my HIV treatment. I need another doctor for other health issues, such as colds and such, but my question is, do I need to tell my new doctor I have HIV? A: Medicine today is hyper-specialized. There are specific doctors for every nook and cranny of your body. In order to coordinate your overall health, your primary care doctor should know ALL your medical issues, and be in contact with all your specialists, such as your HIV physician. Many types of medication can interact with HIV... Continue reading

Q: My life is O.K., but I feel like I should have a better job, a better-looking boyfriend, and better body than I actually do. I work hard and present myself well, but I can't seem to get to this A-list level. Any advice? A: What advice do you want -- advice on getting to the A-list level or advice on leading a happier life? I can give you one or the other, but unless you change your current mindset, you can’t have both. I know you think that getting on the A-list will bring you a happier life, but... Continue reading

Q: After surviving a very difficult few years of financial difficulties, unemployment and a broken relationship, things have recently turned around for me. I've got a new job, money in the bank and options again to create my future. Trouble is, I'm freaking out! Being in survival mode so long seems to be lingering, and I'm still full of anxiety and self-doubt, like the good is going to disappear at any moment. How do you get out of survival mode and into truly enjoying and appreciating life right now? A: In an economy where so many continue to struggle, I... Continue reading

Q: I recently heard that you can now buy at-home HIV tests in pharmacies and drug stores. I like the idea of testing in the privacy of my own home, but how exactly do they work? Is it a good idea to do this at home rather than go to my doctor's office?" A: Yes, you can buy at home HIV tests (such as Home Access Express HIV-1 and OraQuick) at your local pharmacy. Let me explain briefly how they work, and cover some of the issues to consider before you decide whether to use an at-home test. Let's start... Continue reading

Singer Elton John called on the public to stop marginalizing individuals with HIV/AIDS.delivered a keynote address at the 19th annual International AIDS Conference in Washington, D.C., Monday, and his words were packed with power and emotion. “Everyone deserves compassion, everyone deserves dignity. Everyone, everyone, everyone deserves love,” said John. “The AIDS disease is caused by a virus but the AIDs epidemic is not. It is fueled by stigma.” Here's a full report. Continue reading

Q: My partner and I are both HIV positive and take good care of ourselves. We are both on medication and have undetectable viral loads. We've been together for two years and we've been trying to use condoms when we have sex but honestly it's not always the way it works out. How risky is this? My partner says we shouldn't worry about using condoms since we're both undetectable. A: This is a great question and comes up fairly often these days, especially since many people are on good ART regimens and their virus is well-controlled. For monogamous, HIV-positive couples... Continue reading

Don't have time to find today's hottest health-related (or just plain inspiring) headlines? Here's what making news as we speak (we opt for the upbeat or amusing, when at all possible). After all, you can find all the bad news on CNN, right?)... Enjoy your day! HORMONE THERAPY: Happy Tuesday! I NEED A HERO: Carrie says "I do" to gay marriage ... MUST READ: Say what? Support for gay rights in Iran ... FAMILY MATTERS: Awww... Let's hear it for gay penguins! I NEED ANOTHER 'HERO': End the ban, Boy Scouts! GET INSPIRED: 'Booed" gay soldier fights DOMA Continue reading

Q: I am a 23-year-old man and I was just diagnosed in April with HIV after I went to my doctor for a painful rash. I had been diagnosed with shingles in March and then my doctor asked if I'd been HIV tested recently. I tested negative three years ago and have been mostly careful since then but I said yes and this time the test was positive. My T cells are 380 and my viral load is 62, 456 copies. My doctor sent me to a specialist who I like but who is recommending that I start on treatment.... Continue reading

Don't have time to find today's hottest health-related (or just plain inspiring) headlines? Here's what making news as we speak (we opt for the upbeat or amusing, when at all possible). After all, you can find all the bad news on CNN, right?)... Enjoy your day! HORMONE THERAPY: Happy Monday! MUST READ: Ex-gay psychiatrist takes it all back! MUST READ 2: My so-called ex-gay life ... I NEED A HERO: Iowa activist Zach Wahls lobbies congress ... I NEED ANOTHER 'HERO': Gay Wall St. leader grabs spotlight ... Continue reading

Q: As an adult, I am attracted to feet, but I am still plagued by one incident when I was about 10 years old. I was with a friend of the same age and asked him to take his shoes and socks off to be like a couple of wrestlers who wrestled barefoot. When we started wrestling, I was groping at his feet, then I put him in a hold with my legs and was groping at his feet again. I can't remember what I was feeling at the time, but he was laughing, but now I am concerned it... Continue reading

Don't have time to find today's hottest health-related (or just plain inspiring) headlines? Here's what making news as we speak (we opt for the upbeat or amusing, when at all possible). After all, you can find all the bad news on CNN, right?)... Enjoy your day! HORMONE THERAPY: Happy Monday! (aka another William Levy alert!) MUST READ: Homophobic? Must be gay ... I NEED A HERO: Obama backs anti-bullying measures ... I NEED ANOTHER 'HERO': GOP pollster advises reverse on gay issues ... BREAKING GOOD NEWS: Ex-gay conference canceled for lack of interest ... Continue reading

Q: I've been online dating and hooking up, but so many people are NOT what they say they are, and it's getting me down. Is everyone out there just a liar? I want to find my soul mate, and I hate the bars, and one of my best friends met his husband online. I spend hours online every week looking for love, but no luck. Any advice? A: Let's consider the above question as an online dating ad. What do we know about you? We know you hook up with people but really want a soul mate AND you spend... Continue reading

Don't have time to find today's hottest health-related (or just plain inspiring) headlines? Here's what making news as we speak (we opt for the upbeat or amusing, when at all possible). After all, you can find all the bad news on CNN, right?)... Enjoy your day! HORMONE THERAPY: Happy Wednesday! (aka William Levy alert!) MUST-SEE MOVIE: "Bully" opens on March 30 ... I NEED A HERO: White House steps up to stop gay teen bullying ... I NEED ANOTHER 'HERO': Remembering World AIDS Day ... MUST READ: The gay alternative to Obamacare? POP CULTRE: Madonna and Deadmau5 make peace ... Continue reading

March 26-April 1, 2012: Try to be sensitive to others and what can potentially stress them out this week. Adjust. It doesn't have to head into an argument or the countless 'next' world war. It's not always that bad, but it's a time when the unexpected can just reach out and grab you at a moment's notice. Sure, things may be tense here and there this week, making you wonder what's up and what's not. Just try to stay calm and rational. Logically look at things and see how you may have unwittingly created even a part of the problem.... Continue reading

March 19-25, 2012: You could find this a week of potential surprises coming at you from all directions. Now some people will say that's a bad thing, but surprises can be good as well. Even in the midst of a Mercury retrograde, communications can be fun and absolutely delightful. Just don't make long-lasting decisions at this time because you can change your mind several times before you finally settle on the right one. On the other hand, if you're looking for love, this can be a time for romantic beginnings! Watch the diet, and enjoy the renewed energy and overall... Continue reading

Q: I'm a nervous wreck! Is there a simple relaxation method or technique you can suggest? A: Relaxation is something that can be practiced by all of us, especially in this noisy, stressful, and frantically plugged-in world. Here's a simple relaxation tip you can use daily: 1. Turn off the TV, radio, computer and hand-held devices, and close the door if there are people around. 2. Sit comfortably in a chair, with your back and legs fully supported, and your hands resting comfortably on your thighs. 3. Either close your eyes, or pick a spot on the floor to focus... Continue reading