QX asked resident snapper Chris Jepson to swing by G-A-Y Bar and pose these three questions to its customers…
1. Would you have sex with someone who was HIV positive?
2. Do you ask some if they are positiveor negative before you have sex?
3. Why is it important to test for HIV?
Dan, 23
1. Yes, but only in a relationship.
2. No, always have safe sex.
3. So you know your status so if you slip up you’re not putting other people at risk.
Jack, 18
1. No.
2. Yes, I always try to ask.
3. To know your status.
Lee, 37
1. Yes, but I always have safe sex.
2. No, always have safe sex and assume everyone has HIV.
3. Make sure you know your status and health.
Thion, 24
1. Yes.
2. Yes, always.
3. To make sure you are clear.
Michael, 19
1. No.
2. Yes.
3. To know about the other person and yourself.
Adrian, 29
1. Yes.
2. No, I would hope they would say something, but I always have safe sex.
3. There’s so much HIV about you can’t tell who has it so it’s important to know.
Craig, 31
1. No.
2. Yes, always.
3. Safety reasons for you and your partner.
Phillip, 23
1. No.
2. No, I always have safe sex.
3. So you are aware of your status.
Jeremy, 735
1. Yes.
2. No, I treat everyone as if they are HIV positive and always have safe sex.
3. You need to know your status, it could save your life. It’s not rocket science, it’s common sense. Midday on Monday at G-A-Y Bar I will have a HIV test and instagram and tweet out my results to show how quick and easy it is. There really is no excuse. World AIDS Day is about HIV and AIDS awareness, so time to be aware of your status
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
1. The facts are that 1 in 8 gay men in London are HIV positive. You most likely already have had sex with somebody who is positive. The responsible thing to do is always have safer sex and use condoms.
2. A person’s health is their private matter. They may choose to share their status with you or they may not. It’s a shame that we put such stigma on HIV – if we didn’t, HIV positive guys would feel more comfortable being honest about their status.
3. Knowing your status puts you in control of your health. Being diagnosed early is crucial to managing HIV. Medication is more effective if diagnosed early and it also helps stop the spread of HIV by lowering the amount of virus in a positive person to undetectable non-infectious levels.
• G-A-Y Bar (30 Old Compton Street, Soho) will be hosting its HIV Testing Service on World AIDS Day, Monday 1st December from midday-9pm. Sexual health clinic 56 Dean Street will be on hand with all their expertise and you can receive your results in private and with the full support of the clinic’s fully trained staff. G-A-Y will donate £10 to the Elton John AIDS Foundation for every person that tests.
• Plus, the G-A-Y Balloon Release Memorial at 10pm is an opportunity to remember anyone you’ve lost, not just to HIV/AIDS. Make a donation and buy a bio-degradable balloon G-A-Y Bar reception and write the name of someone you would like to remember on it.
