I’m not quite sure what’s happening here but is it really the HIV/Aids issue again? I’m sure it hasn’t been a year since I was blithering on (sorry, I mean expounding great words) about this terrible virus, its effect upon our community, the bigger picture, and asking if we care any more and all that. But as this column is only supposed to last 500 words, it’ll have to be some doom and gloom and a bit of celebration. Since two-thirds of the world’s sufferers live in Africa, I cannot begin to cover this, as even the entire magazine couldn’t scratch the surface, although the myriads of health workers battling against the odds to help and educate should have our absolute admiration and respect. Now, I’m not trying to preach, but if I were, would it be to the converted?

This time last year I was marvelling (if that’s the right word) at the story of an ‘intelligent’ friend of a friend who just dropped into the conversation that she couldn’t catch HIV as only men got it. And I’ve recently read that there are now an estimated 73,000 people with the HIV virus living in the UK, and probably 21,000 of these are unaware that they have it.

I have no doubt that all of these people are not women who think they cannot get it as it’s a men’s disease, or straight men thinking they won’t get it as only gays do. Or even people who think it only happens in Africa. But I did feel disturbed by a survey that showed younger gay men thinking that only older men could contract it. I just don’t understand!

When heartbreaking reports say babies can be born with the virus to teenage HIV-positive mothers, why should a youthful man be spared? The same report revealed that more enlightened younger people believed that getting the virus wouldn’t be such a problem as the treatment isn’t disruptive or obtrusive like in the ‘olden days’. That a few pills popped means problem stopped! Blood tests every six months, up to 12 pills a day, possible kidney or liver problems as a result, diabetes, heart disease, body-fat alteration… It’s even been proved that the meds don’t sit happily with our favourite recreational drugs either. Now that could limit those fun nights out! With all the education available regarding condoms still being the most effective way of preventing sexually transmitted diseases, I hope that wealth of knowledge means a realisation that a quick unprotected fuck could lead to a life that, while not in danger, is still a life seriously compromised.

But we cannot forget all those lost before we understood what the disease was. Now we know how to if not prevent, to at least protect ourselves against it. And with the increased advances in medical knowledge we must celebrate the long and fabulous lives those who are HIV-positive can now live. The future really is bright.

Keep on looking after yourselves my lovely ones.
xxxHRH