What would you do if the guy you have been dating told you he is HIV positive? Many withdraw and feel rejected once diagnosed with HIV virus. Sometimes characterized by a feeling of guilt and worthlessness.
Getting back into dating can be quite daunting for the HIV positive individual. It is common for some to totally withdraw from the dating scene and stop having sex, because they see themselves as damaged goods and fear rejection. When to disclose is a question asked by HIV positive people of all races, we interviewed gay men in Kenya and the fear is very real. The stigma of being HIV positive is still a major issue in the gay community, which is ironic given the statistics of HIV prevalence, among heterosexual.
The decision to disclose to potential love interests or sex partners is a very personal one and shouldn't be taken lightly. Once you have uttered those words, I am HIV positive, you can’t take them back. The community lack understanding that being HIV positive is not a death sentence, about how difficult it is for some brothers to disclose,
“It is not a big deal, if only he was honest to disclose his HIV status, but would always ensure strict practice of safe sex”. Said Sam John
What would you do if the guy you have been dating told you he was HIV positive? Is it a deal breaker? According to many men who talked to the freedom in speech many feel that they cannot date a person who is positive if they know beyond reasonable doubt that they are negative.
“It’s a project never, i cannot date a person who is positive because that is exposing myself to unnecessary dangers. Said peter a 25yrs gay man. Jeff Mwangi is also such man who feels has even called off his relationship after his partner disclosed he was HIV positive. Though he admits to have been strongly attached to the man the revelation came as a shocker that he had to call it quit.
George Omondi who has lived positively for the last five years admits it has not been easy,“I would not wish to date a man without disclosing my status but the stigma that accompany the disclosure makes me prefer to let the sleeping dog lie. However this keeps on haunting me because some times we may have a condom bust but still would fear to tell the truth though i would insist on getting emergence drugs peps”.
Would your decision be based on emotion and irrational fear or facts? Would you ditch the greatest man you ever met
because of his HIV status?
