Adam

19, M, Gay

Growing up in a community where HIV and AIDS were either taboo or unknown,

it was such a system reboot when friends sat down
and gave me the “gay talk”. You could almost
say it was the gay version of the birds and the bees.

When I think about it, twelve months ago I knew nothing. Twelve months ago, I wouldn't have known enough to steer clear of risky sexual activities. Cut to now: after seeing the posters, speaking with the experts and visiting the Burnett Centre I now have the message. It’s not worth the risk. Getting to Auckland, I had no idea how to organise an HIV test. It was something I wanted to do before having sex with anyone so I could be confident I had a clean slate.

The support from my friends was massive, I was able to get all the information I needed from the people at a local queer youth centre, and I was able to call my mates when I got lost on the way to the Burnett Centre. I must say, the Burnett Centre is awesome. I walked in during a busy week without an appointment and was tested nearly immediately.

I believe the biggest issue today is trust. In a monogamous relationship, if you continue to use condoms it’s perceived that you don’t trust your partner; if you don’t, you're risking your own safety.

Look after your partners by looking after yourself.

Other people
in my community:

Get more information on HIV

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