Sexually transmitted diseases are highest in the LGBTQ community.

The LGBTQ community is at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This can be due to increased rates of HIV/AIDS and other STDs, as well as factors such as socioeconomic status and gender identity. Here are some statistics about the prevalence of STDs in the LGBTQ community:

“Men who have sex with men are 17 times more likely to get anal cancer than heterosexual men.“

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The risk of anal cancer is higher for men who have sex with men than for heterosexual men. The reason for this is that anal sex can increase your chances of getting certain types of cancer.

Anal cancer, which is a rare form of cancer that affects the lining and tissues inside your rectum and anus (the lower part of your digestive tract), is more common in men who have sex with men than in women who have sex with women, bisexual people, and heterosexual people. According to Dr. Benard Vann, an assistant professor at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences Department Of Surgery & Children’s Hospital: “It’s not just because they’re having unprotected anal intercourse, it’s also related to their overall lifestyle choices.”

“Men who have sex with men accounted for 83% of primary and secondary syphilis cases where sex of sex partner was known in the United States” in 2017.

“This is a big problem. Men who have sex with men accounted for 83% of primary and secondary syphilis cases where sex of sex partner was known in the United States.”

“We know that LGBTQ people are at higher risk for STDs than heterosexuals,” said Dr. Sarah Schuchat, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “About half our population has an STD,” she added.

People with HIV who also have gonorrhea face a higher risk of contracting other STDs, such as chlamydia and syphilis, according to a study by the New York State Department of Health in Albany.

People with HIV and gonorrhea are at greater risk for contracting an STD than those who only have one or the other. In addition to having two separate infections at once, they’re also more likely than people without these infections to be exposed to additional STD’s men who have sex with men during unprotected sex.

The percentage of people living with HIV/AIDS who are Black or African-American increased from 33% in 2010 to 44% in 2014, according to data from the Office of Minority Health at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men accounted for 67% of all new HIV infections in 2014, followed by people who inject drugs (8%) and heterosexual adults (9%).

While the number of people living with HIV/AIDS has grown significantly over the past few decades, it’s still an issue that disproportionately affects Black Americans and other men who have sex with men (MSM). In 2014, 44% of all new HIV infections were African-Americans; 33% were non-Hispanic whites; 8% were Hispanics; 6% Asians/Pacific Islanders; 5% Native Americans; 4% biracial or multiracial individuals.

The percentage of men who have sex with men also increased from 18% in 2010 to 22% in 2014 — a jump that fueled an increase in new infections among gay men — who now account for 67 percent of all new cases reported annually throughout the United States, according to data from HHS’ Office on Minority Health (OMH).

The Solution?!?

SafeChoice provides vending machines that have many products meant to help make sex a safe activity. Their products range from condoms, to emergency contraceptives and pregnancy tests. They are on a mission to slow down the spread of STD’s and incidents of accidental pregnancies. Their main focus is to expand and place their product throughout college dorms and student housing. They are also looking to expand heavily into the residential market once they receive the proper capital to do so. SafeChoice USA vending machines have already begun to roll out in numerous buildings in New York City.

SafeChoice has made their product very accessible. All universities and students can reach out to SafeChoice’s contact page to request for a SafeChoice vending machine to be placed within their student dorms. What is interesting is that SafeChoice provides this option at no cost. They do requirement that there needs to be a power source and camera security in an accessible location within the dorm building. After further inspection, SafeChoice provides for the ability for students and residents to request specific products. They do state that the requested products will be posted on their social media and will need to receive a certain amount of votes before they are added. This is to verify that there is demand for the product in question.

SafeChoice can currently be found through their website safechoiceusa.com or one of their social media accounts. Their social media handles on all platforms us @SafeChoiceUSA. They are now present on Instagram, Tik Tok, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

This article was written on November 30th, 2022. All of the information above is true based on public information and an interview with a SafeChoice staff member. All of the information above is subject to change.