For decades gay men have been urged, or maybe told to get a sexual health check including an HIV test at least once a year. If we have lots of casual partners or don’t always use condoms, we are told to test more frequently and new guidelines say that some gay men should test every three months.

Most of us know what being tested involves; A lot of waiting, answering questions, having blood drawn, going back to get results and possibly a bit of a lecture. Is it convenient? Not especially. Is it important? Yes, it’s very important that gay men are regularly tested. So, what is happening with testing rates in Australia? The evidence points to something of a decline over recent years. In fact, a full two thirds of gay men diagnosed with HIV in 2009 acquired the virus more than 12 months prior to the diagnosis. This means that the majority of gay men vulnerable to HIV infection simply are not testing often enough. It also means that there are more men unaware of their HIV positive status than there would be if testing rates were increased.

We actually already know why gay men don’t get tested. Research shows that the single biggest reason is that it is inconvenient. A clear majority of survey respondents give this as the primary reason for delaying accessing a testing service. So, imagine being able to drop in to a convenient location when you feel like it, and be out again in 20 minutes or so with your result. Imagine only a thumb prick instead of having blood drawn. It would be great, wouldn’t it?

You might be surprised to know that this is precisely what gay men in most of the rest of the western world can do. In countries like the US, Canada, Germany, Britain, Holland, Austria, France, Switzerland and New Zealand gay men can access what is called ‘rapid testing’, and have been able to do so for five years or more. It should be of no surprise that rapid testing is very popular and has produced increased rates of testing and particularly amongst those more at risk of HIV.

So how come Aussie gay men are being denied this proven technology? Why is it, that despite the introduction of rapid testing being an identified priority in the new national HIV strategy, we may be waiting another two years before we can manage our health in the way that our friends in other countries can? And, where are gay men in this discussion? Why is it that some gay men, impatient with this ludicrous inactivity, have taken to purchasing home testing kits via the Internet?

The answer is fairly complicated, but seems to include two sets of factors. The first is the peculiarly Australian habit of ignoring the evidence of common sense as well as incontrovertible proof generated internationally, in favour of endless discussion, debate and never-ending trials and pilot programs (Remember the number of gay men that died because they were denied access to AZT in the early 90s for example).

The second is a continuing denial of the rights of gay men to determine their own health needs. Some that urge caution claim that gay men might use the rapid test inappropriately, such as using a negative result as an excuse to have unprotected sex. Not only is this insulting, but it’s also dumb. How can knowledge of HIV status be worse than being ignorant of it? In any event, there is not a shred of evidence that gay men anywhere in the world have acted this way. It’s also well worth remembering that it was gay men that arrested the early explosive growth in HIV infections, and not clinicians or bureaucrats. There is no reason that rapid testing can’t be made available to gay men with no further delay. A continuing prevarication is, in effect, an abuse of human rights. So what can we do to hurry things along a little?

Firstly, go and get tested if you haven’t done so recently. Developing a testing habit is a really important way that we can take control of our own health. And when you do, ask about rapid testing and why it isn’t available. Tell us about your experience. It’s our health, we’re in charge and it’s about time that we called the shots.

The AIDS Action Council in Canberra offers regular community based sexual health testing at Westlund House and Champions Mustang Ranch. It’s not ‘rapid’ (yet!!), but it’s free, easy and fun. Check aidsaction.org.au or call  6257 2855 to find out when it’s next available.