why wouldn't you use a condom anyway? Better safe than sorry.

It does to me - I have had a few friends die from related illnesses so that alone makes it important. I can understand people wanting to bareback but I guess it comes down to how much you value your wants over your responsibilities to yourself or the wider community.

I'll be honest, HIV/AIDS still scares the fuck outta me, even though I'm only 22, I know it's still a reality. The same I feel about all other STD's. It's simple and clear, brains should tell you to wear a rubber always.

I don't care if you die from it or not, its still a disease and I think I prefer living disease free. Besides the fact that the the only reason those living with it are still alive is because they are are on a mega cocktail of chemical substances. If you want to have unprotected anal do the work that it takes to maintain a trusting long term relationship then go for it. Its still not 100% risk free because even after 20 years they could slip and do the dirty on you one day but its a lot less risk than doing it with a complete stranger or casual fuckbud.

An interesting article.

It would appear from the chart that most infections occur in men in their 20's, not 30s and 40s as stated in the article.

I would lover to know the numbers of straight people infected in NSW as a comparison.

Good article and a great message - play safe boys - lets lookout for each other.

While every case is tragic, the thought of those 5 that were 20 or under is most upsetting.

Part of the problem is a lot of these people dont see anyone suffering AIDS.

Back in the mid-late 80's/early 90's you would see guys out using canes/in wheelchairs/stick figures and it scared the hell out of you as you watched them being helped around. Stories of guys ashes being spread on the Hordern dance floor and other gay venues. And seeing your
own group of friends die.

There are a lot of complications from the meds but generally guys do look healthier compared to that look 20 years ago. That look will be
forever etched in my mind thats for sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOldie

Part of the problem is a lot of these people dont see anyone suffering AIDS.

Back in the mid-late 80's/early 90's you would see guys out using canes/in wheelchairs/stick figures and it scared the hell out of you as you watched them being helped around. Stories of guys ashes being spread on the Hordern dance floor and other gay venues. And seeing your
own group of friends die.

There are a lot of complications from the meds but generally guys do look healthier compared to that look 20 years ago. That look will be
forever etched in my mind thats for sure.

The face of AIDS has changed from that withered stick figure to ordinary looking people living what appears to be ordinary lives and I think that goes some way to explaining the present demographic of people presenting with new infections.

Safe sex = ONLY OPTION. We need to be doing more to thump it into the Youths heads.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chazharris

why wouldn't you use a condom anyway? Better safe than sorry.

Some people actually manage to get HIV whilst using a condom or giving blowjobs. Just saying.

I have been living with HIV for 24 years this year. I have seen my friends and loved one's die from AIDS related complications in the 80's and 90's. I even worked as a nurse in St Vincents Hospital Darlinghurst looking after people who had AIDS. I can tell you that living with HIV and surviving thanks to modern medicine is no cup of tea. I certainly look very healthy and I am thankful for that. I always insist on using protection with any of my partners. I would hate for anyone to go through what I have to.

I surmise that we need more hard hitting health promotion campaigns. Interestingly that last surveillance stat's for HIV infection in South Australia (late 2011) showed that hetero infection rates were higher than GLBTI rates.

Take responsibility for your own sexual health.

sep77 is so cute is ne single n available for dates n sex?

It's interesting to see the graph , re HIV infections , and I think that it shows clearly that young men , 20 to 29 are the most active sexually , and that as we age the rate stays the same but we become increasingly complacent . There must also be many straight , married guys converting that are not listed on the graph . Don't forget that living with HIV is not an easy road to take , and simple precautions and a responsible lifestyle can almost eliminate new cases of HIV transmission .

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazzarus

The face of AIDS has changed from that withered stick figure to ordinary looking people living what appears to be ordinary lives and I think that goes some way to explaining the present demographic of people presenting with new infections.

Couldn't have said it better myself.. Remember though that with the advent of continuously improving treatments that effectively halt HIV in almost all subjects now, PLWHA can now expect to live an average life span rivalling that of the general population. There are now I think around 20,000 of us with HIV in Australia, and we are having about 1000 new cases each year, and as this pool of people live normal lives and no longer get sick and die.. it is inevitable that it will simply increase,. So prevention is incredibly important still to reduce the margin of growth by as much as we can.

I am one of these ppl.
I live a completely 'normal', middle-of-the-bell-curve, life.
I'm successful, I'm active, I'm reasonably good looking, I am astoundingly eclectic, and not socially inept.
And you'd never know I was positive cos 98% the time I forget I have it as well.

I am the story that ACON doesn't want to get out cos heaven forbid people get the idea that I am a HIVer having the time of his life just.. LIVING! :P

#peoplelikemedontexist

I've grown up with positive people in my life, and I still have many friends in my life that are positive. Sadly I've lost quite a few to HIV / AIDS related illnesses too and I still remember what it's like to lose them. Does HIV still mean something to me? It sure does. And it should matter to you too! I'm saddened by the ignorance, lack of sensitivity and compassion especially by younger guys to positive people in the community. It's 2012 and the education is out there, and everyone deserves respect.

im scared now ^^

i guess this needs to be put back to the airwaves

Same Same Media Player

Grim Reaper [1987] - YouTube

@cubbyxface

That ad was created with good intent but in a blind panic. It it set the foundations for a generation of fear-based stigma to be unleashed.
So, no.
It doesn't.

Never used a condom: never have and never will; yummy cummy

I met a guy in the mid 80s - kind, caring, generous, honourable, intelligent and funny. We got on so well the night we met that I went home with him. Before anything happened, he told me he was HIV-positive. It was a time when there wasn't a great deal known about HIV/AIDS and people were scared. We used condoms and continued to do so for the next 6 years.

He was my boyfriend, partner, lover, spouse and playmate. I worshipped him as he did me. We saw too many friends die and saw too many death notices (even of people we didn't know but had seen around) in the Sydney Star Observer. Anyone my vintage remembers those days. And I'm sure many of my era were touched by the virus in one way or another with boyfriends, friends, etc.

My man succumbed in 1993 before anti-viral combination treatment was available. He died in my arms at home. My story isn't unique, sadly.

What's good 30yrs later? We have these drugs now that keep the virus in check and hopefully give many people a longer life span.

What remains sad? That after 30yrs we still do not have a cure and that young people are still being afflicted with this disease.

Is education still needed?.......HELL YES!.........If we have a topic like "Does HIV Matter To Gay Men" up for discussion then we still need the "safe sex" message or at least "harm minimising" education to get out to the younger GLBTI community. No more epidemics, no more people dying way too young before their time, especially when it can be prevented.

well you still have to wear a condom even if both are HIV negative - its a very important protector against shit.

Damn right it still matters! It should matter more.

Not sure what these facts are based on?

Only last year I read that HIV infections were increasing due to lax attitudes.

As for having HIV and being a happy healthy and rich,, pfft yeah right, pull the other one.

ive been with the same guy 4 about 18 months. we're still monogomous, but after reading sum of these posts like aussiemedic, stronger4it, freaky and others, have me wondering wot it must mean to lose someone u luv. dude, why hasnt there been a cure by now?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougster

why hasnt there been a cure by now?

In 2009 Timothy Brown after a stem cell transplant for cancer was/is still supposedly cured, his HIV viral load are below the limit of detection.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaleb

In 2009 Timothy Brown after a stem cell transplant for cancer was/is still supposedly cured, his HIV viral load are below the limit of detection.

below the limit of detection. do u know if that means none or just undectable? cos they can mean 2 diff things as i'm sure ur aware