The use of PrEP is spreading, and that’s a good thing. Reporter Josh Sanders, with our local ABC affiliate here in Bakersfield, California, just did an extensive piece about PrEP, which stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis and refers to the HIV med Truvada. Taken every day, the pill can prevent an HIV-negative person from contracting the virus.

The news spot has aired several times. In preparing the piece, Sanders interviewed a local PrEP activist, a local infectious disease doctor, a therapist who is a PrEP advocate—and me.

You can watch the video above or click on the YouTube link here.

Also, Gilead Sciences, in conjunction with St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bakersfield, is putting on a free seminar and dinner about PrEP for the public on Wednesday, May 30, 2018. I’m working with members of St. Paul’s (my church) to publicize the event with health professionals, the LGBTQ community, and others to make sure everyone who wants to know something about PrEP comes.

Apparently, this is the first event of its kind that’s being put on by Gilead, which makes Truvada. I hope it won’t be the last. Not sure who you can contact at Gilead to set up something like this in your community, but I’ll let you know as soon as I find out.