‘Mention sex in most places on the African continent and you are likely to be met with questioning glances. Venture into speaking about controversial sexual rights and you are likely to cause a furore.’ But if we are to deal effectively with the HIV/AIDS pandemic, these are issues we need to think about, whether we consider them vile or not, argue Kavinya Makau and Zawadi Nyong’o, in their report on critical issues raised at a recent conference on sexual health and rights.