Know Your Status

It's that little thing that no one wants to talk about. Driven by fear, fueled by ridicule, HIV has a way of  being an insidious beast waiting to strike on the unwary and the uninformed. Get your wake-up call and educate yourself.

The power of Myth. These are the notions that are the blueprints as to how we will react in given situations. Starting off with the wrong information will inevitably lead to you down the wrong path. HIV is our Shadow, personified indiscretion. See the common Myths.

• HIV Myths Put Through the Wringer (Podcast) (August 20, 2007)
  Dr. Luther Virgil from the Integrated Minority AIDS Network discusses -- and dispels -- some of the myths surrounding HIV
  In News & Notes, from National Public Radio
  
  
• AIDS Myths and Misunderstandings (April 26, 2007)
  To read PDF, click here
  From AIDS InfoNet

It starts with Knowing your Status.

• Types of HIV Tests (2008)
  From National Association of People With AIDS
  
  
• Ways to Test for HIV: Three Different Ways to Check If You Have HIV (May 2007)
  To read PDF, click here
  From Project Inform
  
  
• FAQs About the Worried Well (Regularly Updated)
  Worried that you are infected with HIV? Afraid to get tested? Read these questions and answers
  From The Body's "Ask the Experts" Forums
  
  
• HIV Testing (April 12, 2007)
  To read PDF, click here
  From AIDS InfoNet
  
  
• HIV Testing (September 14, 2007)
  In AIDS 101: Guide to HIV Basics, from San Francisco AIDS Foundation
  
  
  
• Testing for HIV (February 8, 2007)
  From U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Get Tested!

After the test, the wait of ages begins. Many question their choices. Bargain with themselves for the desired result. In the end, reality makes it's mark, the cross that some bear alone. In SATX, several agencies are available for to help you through.


So, the infection rates seems to be escalating again. Seems that the insurmountable task of changing the world defies logic. It starts with the individual and the choices that we make. At the heart, it is Unprotected Sex. Consistency of condom use helps. If only we could convince ourselves that we are safe all the time..."it won't hurt to skip it this one time".

The power of Stigma. Sources of stigma include fear of illness, fear of contagion, and fear of death. AIDS stigma negatively affects preventive behaviors such as condom use, HIV test-seeking behavior, care-seeking behavior upon diagnosis, quality of care given to HIV-positive patients, and perception and treatment of PLHA by communities, families, and partners (Gerbert et al. 1991; Herek 1990; Herek and Glunt1988).

If we didn't have to wrestle solely with that little voice in ourselves, we trust in others. Well, that is if you ask about your partner's status. Do you ask? Do you disclose?


Fantasy Vs. Reality

One of the leading theories is that the prevalence and increase in barebacking in adult movies reflects the increase in unprotected sex. The line that between fantasy and reality may be easy for some to see. But, for others, playing out what they see on the television emboldens them to take careless risks. Does seeing something taboo to the rest of society really send out piques to the collective unconscious? Is it as liberating as people would leave others to believe? Ultimately, only the individual has control. Make the right choice for you.

Over at Towleroad, the following was an exclusive premiere of Chi Chi LaRue's PSA message on the barebacking in the Adult Video Industry.





And, I won't even get into Drug-Use and it's effects.

It's not-so black and white.

Safe Journey to All.

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