Everyone's immune system is different, so HIV affects everyone differently. And just because you have HIV doesn't mean you're unhealthy. You can live with HIV and be healthy. Just because you're HIV negative doesn't mean you're healthy.
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Originally posted by Ryan Rivers
You know I am ASTOUNDED at the # of people on Grindr that ask to have bareback with you. Never ever trust anyone that you don't know. Always wears a condom. These people that want bareback without knowing you disgust me.
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I work at a clinic and part of my outreach is using apps to promote free condoms and testing. There are too many people that are willing to bareback just because it feels better.
People have a right to do what they want with their body, but have sex without a condom is a risk I'm not willing to take. I have friends and family living with HIV, if they had the knowledge pre-diagnosis that they have now, they all would've prevented it.
I never let "the heat of the moment" happen or "someone's word" bring my guard down. Just because someone says they're negative means nothing. My health is everything to me and I'd like to see more people be proactive about having a safe, healthy, fulfilling sexual life without taking risks.
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Originally posted by Grumpy Gills
This was probably asked before, but do you get offended when someone says they won't date someone who is positive or do you get it?
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HIV is scary, especially for those who aren't living with it or aren't educated on it. But hearing things like this are hard for anyone. When many of my friends/acquaintances were getting infected earlier this decade, I would swear off of sex for a long time and I probably would not have dated or had sex with someone living with HIV.
But 5 years ago, I met this really attractive guy. After a month of getting to know each other, he let me know he has HIV and he had only gotten his diagnosis 4 months prior to us meeting. It was very emotional. I didn't know how to respond, but I wanted to support him. We never had sex, because I let my fear of HIV get in the way. I really did care about him and still do to this day. We still keep in touch and his dating life is much better than mine and his health is in great shape.
All of my friends living with HIV have told me their biggest fears are being rejected by friends, family, and potential lovers. They're afraid they won't experience love and relationships because this disease will turn people off. But the truth is, if they aren't educated and they can't love you unconditionally, they don't deserve you.
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Originally posted by yogosans14
I barebacked a guy who is on PREP, I was the top. We still talk and I ask him.if he's clean and says yes 100% sure, I'm still scared he could be lying so I'm going to get tested. It's been 2 weeks is that to early.to test.
Yes I KNOW it was a VERY dumb decision I will never do it again. It's to late now.
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Saying that someone who is HIV negative or STI free is "clean" is the type of language we need to stay away from. That implies someone with HIV or an STI is "dirty". That language creates more stigma.
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Originally posted by Fanik
What is the life expectancy of an HIV+ person?
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It doesn't change if the person is taking their medicines faithfully. The epidemic is only 35 years old and the effective medicines have only been around for 20 years, so the lifelong effects of an individual with HIV have yet to be seen.
