MenAtPlay Raises Funds, Awareness for National AIDS Trust

LONDON - MenAtPlay has launched a campaign to raise awareness of World AIDS Day 2007.

"We have always promoted safe sex through our work and are committed to portraying our models in a fun, yet responsible way," said MenAtPlay director Andy Thomas. "Our PlaySafe campaign aims to get the safe-sex message across in what you could argue is the perfect arena: a porn site.

"There are many websites and DVDs out there that portray bareback sex, which we find irresponsible given the unrelenting rise of HIV cases worldwide," he continued. "As producers, we feel it's our responsibility not only to protect the health of our models, but also to show that sex can be safe and sexy too. We hope we do this in a non-preachy way by showing that condoms can be a natural and effortless part of sexual activity."

On World AIDS Day last year, MenAtPlay partnered with the National AIDS Trust to raise funds for the organization. Since November 2006, the company has donated nearly £40,000 to the cause by earmarking a percentage of new subscription sales.

To mark this year's World AIDS Day, MenAtPlay will host a special fund-raising event on Dec. 1. On that day, the company will donate 50 percent of sales to the NAT.

"This will add valuable support to a series of special events organized by NAT throughout the day designed to bring added attention to the continuing struggle for HIV and AIDS awareness among gay men," Thomas said.