A dangerous new trend, in which teenagers have unprotected orgies with HIV carriers, is reportedly on the rise in Barcelona. According to several reports in the Spanish media, the high-risk activity – more commonly known as ‘sex roulette’ – has been growing in popularity across the Catalan capital. Much like Russian roulette, the sex parties are aimed at people who want to add an element of danger to their carnal connections, by inviting (at least) one ‘secret’ HIV carrier to the group. [9] Think about it… It’s the ultimate in extreme sex – a monster sex party where one person secretly has HIV, and everyone has unprotected sex without knowing who it is. [1] The trend, which is apparently practised by people of all sexualities, echoes the equally contentious ‘bugchasing’ movement; where gay men actively pursue the virus for sexual pleasure. This time, however, the rules are more open. For example, while some of these orgies are exclusive only to HIV carriers, others “offer blue tablets” that are supposed to prevent the contraction of the virus. “These are non-prescription drugs in Spain and therefore bought on the black market,” French radio channel Equinox explains. [9] [10] Doctors in Barcelona have claimed that ‘sex roulette’ parties taking place, usually among gay men – and it echoes previous reports of such parties among wealthy people in Serbia. But why, despite all the obvious dangers, is this disturbing trend so appealing? The ‘thrill’ comes from knowing you might be infected, people who claim to have attended such parties say. [1] “Going to sex roulette parties is about the risk, partygoers think the higher the risk, the stronger the thrill,” says psychosexual therapist Kate Morley. “In the case of sex parties the intense high is as you combine orgasm with high adrenaline. [9]
Going to sex roulette parties is about the risk, partygoers think the higher the risk, the stronger the thrill – Kate Morley
Dr Josep Mallolas
Dr Josep Mallolas of Hospital Clinic Barcelona says that the parties are a sign that people have ‘lost respect’ for HIV, in a report in el Periodico. [11] Mallolas says, ‘There is everything: sex roulette parties, or sex parties you can only attend if you already have HIV.’ Mallolas says that some of the parties are known as ‘blue’ parties because attendees take anti-viral medication to cut the risk of transmitting the virus. [1] He added that some people bring antiviral pills like Truvada with them to reduce the chance of infection, but mainly, people aren’t afraid of the virus anymore. Last year, a Serbian stripper called Tijana claimed that the parties originated in Serbia – and were named Serbian sex roulette, after Russian roulette. She said, ‘This bizarre variation that seems popular for extreme sex. People who turn up for the party wear masks, and one of them has HIV. ‘The wealthy organise these sex parties for other rich people. The real kick for these people is apparently the risk that they might be the one having sex with the HIV-infected partner.’ [1] Dr. Mallolas described an encounter he had with a 22-year-old gay man about the issue (translated from Spanish): “He told me, ‘my sexuality is really important to me, and I don’t want to resign myself, at 22 years old, to live the rest of my life in condoms. What other choice do I have? To get infected.” The young man went on to say the sooner he did get infected, the sooner he could treat the condition, and the sooner he could stop worrying about getting infected in the first place.[6]
HIV is now the ultimate “liberal sacrament”
It’s not the first time the media has reported on the ‘sex roulette’ trend, either. Back in 2014, Lavanguardia newspaper raised concerns about the number of straight teenagers indulging in these kinds of “high-risk” orgies; adding that they believed the craze had come “from Colombia”. “We’ve become victims of our own success when it comes to treatment,” explains AVERT’s news officer, Caitlin Maron. “HIV treatment is much more accessible and effective in this era, and people living with HIV are living healthier lives and into old age. As such, many people may feel that becoming infected with HIV isn’t such a ‘big deal’.” “Whilst the outlook for people living with HIV is certainly positive, it is still a life-long chronic condition, with treatment needing to be taken every day,” she adds. “Living with HIV can still be a significant challenge for many.” [9]
