millenial poz
The psychological sanctuary of poz folk
Last week, I received a “thank you” note that became the inspiration for this article. The writer of the note explained that, in his experience, some friends wear “kid gloves” around their out poz...
13 days ago | 1 1 comments | 0 0 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
The calling of poz folk
Lately, coincidence — or perhaps just being the mouthy broad I am — has brought me together with many new and veteran poz folk. After we’ve shared our stories and commiserated on issues surrounding...
1 month ago | 1 1 comments | 5 5 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Threesomes, sero-discordancy and values
Entertaining the idea of a threesome, foursome or more-some when you’re in a sero-discordant relationship can be tricky and, well, disheartening: While your partner hasn’t any “bad news” to disclos...
2 months ago | 0 0 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Balancing transmission risks with quality of life
Before I composed this column, my mother had a little “come to Jesus meeting” with me over the phone. After reading my last column, she worried that I might be divulging too much information and/or...
3 months ago | 2 2 comments | 5 5 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Dating and disclosure, part 2
“Well, I just think that even if we always use a condom, those compounded, infinitesimal risks will eventually result in me getting infected. So I think we should stop seeing each other.” This was...
4 months ago | 0 0 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Dating and disclosure, part 1
Many poz folk refer to disclosing their status as a second “coming out.” While coming out as homosexual was hard enough, coming out as HIV-poz feels just as hard — if not harder — in some senses. I...
5 months ago | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Parents’ role in stopping HIV
When I told my youngest sister about my diagnosis (“I tested positive for HIV”), she sleepily responded, “Oh. Is that bad? What does that mean?” I was nonplussed. But I knew her reaction wasn’t in...
6 months ago | 1 1 comments | 5 5 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Choices, condoms and consequences
Last article, I addressed the oft-deleterious relationship poz folk develop with barebacking post-diagnosis. While some HIV-poz folk said my thoughts helped give them perspective on barebacking, my...
7 months ago | 1 1 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Barebacking: neither sacred nor sinful
Barebacking. For most poz folk — myself included — it’s how we contracted HIV. And concomitantly, barebacking is the one sexual act that, post-diagnosis, most violently transforms into a totem of p...
8 months ago | 4 4 comments | 5 5 recommendations | email to a friend
full story
Talk about it: The best HIV prevention and treatment
I took the rapid HIV test 15-some times in Philadelphia before I tested positive. The test takes about 20 minutes from when the nurse punctures your finger (with negligible pain) to when you get yo...
9 months ago | 1 1 comments | 13 13 recommendations | email to a friend
full story