This presentation will critically interrogate the complex media messages currently circulating about the use of Truveda as a Pre-Exposure Prophylactic (PreP) by gay men in the United States. This investigation examines and weighs the wide variety of sociocultural positions taken by media critics, political commentators and others regarding the “Truveda whore” phenomenon and the ensuing moral interpellation of those gay men who advocate its use as a pharmaceutical of choice. Necessary to this analysis will be an assessment of the political economics of Gilead’s marketing and distribution of the drug; the efficacy of Truveda and patient compliance with its dosing regimen; physician and public health officials positions on its use and STD rates of infection; and HIV/AIDS activist’s evolving criticisms about sexual activity and HIV sero-positivity and infection in a post-Truveda era.
About the presenterMichael Johnson Jr., Ph.D.
Michael Johnson Jr., Ph.D. is a full-time instructor at Washington State University where he currently teaches both introductory and upper division, interdisciplinary courses in the Department of Critical Culture, Gender and Race Studies. His book, Tickle My Fancy, Fat Man: Emerging Images of Race and Queer Desire on HBO, (Lexington Books) Critical Studies in Television Series will be out Fall 2015. He’s also privileged to serve as the Vice President of Diversity for the PCA/ACA.