Heroes welcomed in Canty Phone app Review link to gay syphilis epidemic switches Georgina Stylianou
[email protected] A new smartphone application is fanning a syphilis epidemic out- break among Canterbury’s young gay men, a doctor says. Christchurch Sexual Health 101 to Clinic senior clinician Heather Young said gay men would usually contract syphilis after meeting at venues such as clubs, saunas or brothels but this year there had been an increase in men meeting electronically. ‘‘In 2011, sex-on-site venues red zone were associated with 50 per cent of syphilis cases but in 2012 it is more Michael Wright They were included in the commonly found after use of
[email protected] changes to avoid being left internet dating sites or the Grindr surrounded by abandoned land, app,’’ she said. More than 100 Canterbury proper- where they may be cut off from Grindr is a free social network- ties have been rezoned by the essential services, Sutton said. ing app for gay men. The app uses Government, including 35 whose ‘‘You might have found a street GPS to notify members when there owners had not asked for a change. where there’s a square of 15 [green is another gay man nearby. Canterbury Earthquake Reco- zone] properties. Twelve of them Young said gay men needed to very Authority (Cera) chief execu- have applied and three of them be aware of the outbreak and tive Roger Sutton yesterday didn’t apply but they’re bedded should ‘‘take responsibility’’ by announced 104 properties would with the others.’’ ensuring they were tested.