Gay Men's Health safe-sex advertising in gay media has decreased markedly as the NZ AIDS Foundation increases spending on click-through ads on the 'NZ Dating' website, it has now been revealed. Representatives from several NZ gay media organisations have recently voiced their concern over the NZAF's reduction in advertising. An editorial in a recent issue of Out! magazine summed it up: "If NZAF is not advertising in the gay print media, where is it advertising? Apparently they are spending thousands a week on the internet." "The advertising budget for Gay Men's Health has experienced increased pressure from having to pay the commercial advertising rates on NZ Dating," NZAF's Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier confirms. NZ Dating is generally acknowledged to be the largest player in the local gay internet dating market. But getting their safe-sex message across in gay media is still important to the Foundation, Le Mesurier insists. "The most crucial factor is getting the message about condom use for anal sex through to as many gay and bisexual men as possible within the budgets we have to work with. Gay media play a key part in this, and NZAF shares the concern regarding our recent juggling of funds to accommodate an increased profile on the internet where a large number of gay and bisexual men are, as well as an increase in the number of gay media outlets over the last five years who all wish to receive advertising revenue from us." This year's budget constraints have not lead to cutbacks in any of the important services the NZAF provides, the Executive Director reassures. "We have had to make changes within the constraints of the funding we have for Gay Men's Health HIV prevention campaign advertising. This is of concern to us, and we are looking beyond into the wider community - approaching internet dating sites and concerned politicians for other remedies in respect to increasing the commitment of private businesses to social responsibility." The NZAF has recently received small cash injections from the Ministry of Health, "but we have to be cautious as there may not be any more in the 2007-08 year. "We are about to start negotiating for a new three-year contract with Ministry of Health in the latter part of 2007, with a start date of July 2008," says Le Mesurier. "We will be pressing for recognition of the need to have a presence on internet dating sites used by gay and bisexual men." Ref: GayNZ.com (m)