Scandbro

I would suggest checking out the S FL area- Ft Lauderdale has a huge poz community and the support network to maintain it- from food banks to a TON of gay doctors and gay friendly doc-- almost any doctors office here is involved in some drug study related to HIV, a large gay community center ( Pride Center) Maybe if you are in a small town and the only known poz boy you are alienated- at least here with thousands of guys in the same boat- you are never alone and there is truly a support arm the for you

I would agree with this too!

My only comments would be that its really a big area and is sometimes similar to Southern Cali in terms of being image conscious. Not that, that is a bad thing!

New York City

New York is Old Hat darling!

The best places to live in this order, Northern California, but within an hour or 2 of San Francisco.

St. Petersburg, Florida. They have all the services (GREAT services) and its an incredible community of gay people! Small enough to know most, big enough to keep it new and relevant!

Chicago, only third on my list because although liberal and has a great gay community with lots to do, I have not heard great things about the services overall there. Especially for those who end up suffering from some of the more severe side effects of having HIV such as CMV.

Washington D.C. (more gay friendly than poz friendly)

Seattle Washington

New Orleans, if you have a car because public transit is still not up to par IMO. BUT its very affordable and there are good services. Plus if you are inclined to get active and volunteer there is still room on the gay A-List! lol!

Lastly, if you can tolerate cold and bitchyness Boston MA is a great place to live, and close to 2 of the countries best coastal gay communities! Plus the services are pretty good.

HA! Actually, i'm not sure why that post still exists, I tried deleting it, I have reported it. I was thinking about 2 things at once and responding to the wrong post all at the same time.

... so you were expecting me to defend your POV???

I love your perspective. I was laughing at the end!

most of us live in a culture/society which is Puritan in nature and "sex " is evil and anything to do with sex is dirty....Unfortunately the only celebrities/ public figures who are going to step forward are in the adult entertainment field. HIV is just one of many STI's out there but it being the newest kid on the block (outside of HPV, which has been around for a long time but we just started talking more about it) has been stigmatized and beaten up, demonized because of the community in which it first surfaced, I am sure it was around long before it was "discovered" in a less lethal mutation and people died of complications of compromised immune systems long before the "gay cancer" began occurring. My main point here is discussion like this are a necessary evil that needs to be taken outside into a larger circle but it is highly unlikely we will begin to see anyone (public figure) stepping forth to admit they have sex, i mean look at the backlash with Miley Cyrus at the MTV awards and she just wiggled her ass. on a lighter note, not only did George Washington grow Hemp, (rumors have he smoked it too) but he also lost all his teeth ( why he had wooden ones) and suffered heart problems due to syphilis and gono. We can only guess what diseases he passed onto his wife and kids

I think you are already saying what we are saying. But it already is game changer. As I said to bearbandit, its gay birthcontrol and women have gotten used to taking theirs regularly. Maybe they will even come out with an IUD for the butthole when insurance companies buy in. SO, more to your point, of course there is room to grow, there is always room to grow! Thats part of life! It would be SOOO boring if everything were perfect already. We are very fortunate to be having this conversation too I might add, I love getting together with the elder gays and listening to stories about running with drug cartels in Mexico to bring HIV meds back to America while Regan was being a douchebag and insurance companies were not paying for meds for the sick and dying. Now-a-days we get to talk about ad campaigns to raise awareness, or celebs like NPH having 'the POZ look'... Not to minimize our continued struggles and continuing to fight for what we deserve, but just put some perspective on where we have been and how far we have come already.

I apologize if you perceived my words to be solely directed at you or to be making any sort of assumption about you; that was not my intention. Frankly it was not aimed at you because it was clear to me that you definitely did your research before choosing PrEP and that you understand the importance of diligently taking the supplement; which is awesome.

That being said, there is a great deal of conflicting data on the effectiveness of PrEP. I agree that it has the POTENTIAL to be a game-changer but there is still a long way to go for it to reach its potential. I'm sure you can agree that a major hurdle to clear is gaining the buy-in from all insurance companies. After gaining that buy-in so it's covered, the even bigger hurdle to clear is to produce an effective public relations and advertising campaign that alters the mindset of the public so they will recognize the benefits of using such a supplement and, more importantly, the need to be diligent about making it a part of their life every day.

YAY! although I think the JizzDump dude is just trying to make sure to defend his point of view too!!

dshanebb, please don't ASSUME that is what I did... Effectiveness varies in a not unsurprising way. If one is inconsistent it doesn't work. Really nothing new there. At the moment there isn't a "morning after" version; so if one chooses PrEP they are either in it all the way, or no point in using it at all. PrEP is not a "supplement". PrEP is 2/3 of Atrypla The effectiveness variation is nearly identical to the effect on "undetectible" for HIV meds. Catch an STI and effectiveness will drop. But otherwise, compliance results in typically excellent outcomes.

What isn't getting mentioned here, and should, is how PrEP is a definite game changer. I fear YOU are not recognizing that. PrEP is in fact altering the HIV conversation from blame to personal responsibility. And for this reason, rather than looking for movie stars to change the conversation; is what we should collectively be seeking.

I agree with Scandbro that we would do well to have a celeb on PrEP. And as far as effectiveness, it will continue to improve as research continues along this path.

We're not "done". PrEP will continue to evolve. And IMO we should be celebrating the new direction from just treating HIV, to solutions that allow all of use who strongly prefer skin on skin sex to give prevention options to those not yet poz.

Who here is relying on one impressive statistic? No one in this thread is using only one statistic. I'm not evening basing what I have to say on statistics, but rather what Angelina Jolie did with breasts. I am drawing a comparison as a part of my argument.

I'm not writing that PrEP is completely ineffective, I am highlighting the fact that the results of studies analyzing the effectiveness of PrEP vary significantly. If one is considering PrEP they should read and analyze the actual studies themselves and not just rely on one impressive statistic from one study. The fact that human nature demonstrates someone is less likely to strictly adhere to taking a preventative supplement must be considered. Also, the coverage of PrEP by insurance companies is not universal.

It's gay birth control. Women do it all the time, and yes, there are still occurrences of women getting pregnant, often because they do not adhere to the strict regimen of taking the pill(s) every day.

Total agreement here: I read a number of studies as part of my voluntary work and they way facts are cherry-picked.

Absolute adherence to the prescription is vital: no "I've got flu and won't be getting laid for the next week so why bother?" It's difficult enough for those of us on HAART to adhere to the prescription. I can't imagine how much more difficult it must be to take it "just in case".

I'm not arguing about the effectiveness of PrEP here. If I want to do so I would go to a PrEP thread and discuss that there. I am only speaking about public awareness, and celebrities coming out as POZ. I have HIV, so personally I don't really care how effective PrEP is, relatively speaking. My only point about it is that I think if a celeb came out and said they were taking PrEP as part of their prevention strategy, that would be more effective in reducing stereotypes and changing the conversation and demystifying HIV than a gay celeb coming out as being POZ.

I'd encourage you to do some deeper research into PrEP; studies have demonstrated that it is not the be all end all that it is purported to be. It also requires the individual to diligently take the medication in order to be effective and insurance covering it is not a given in many cases. You'll find that a lot of media reports the same statistics from one study while ignoring the meat of that study and every other dissenting study of the effectiveness of PrEP-- read the studies, not just the media reports and learn the whole story.

I have a semi regular bud who stops by when he is able. I call him my midnight cowboy because mostly he is available in the middle of the night! Last night was no different, I send a text saying I will leave my door unlocked, then before I go to bed I douche and lube my hole, he shows up when he get off work, anytime from 1-4AM. Last night he just wanted to keep going and he pumped 3 loads into my ass. He's a 19 y/o stud and sometimes he just needs to keep getting off!

@RawTop is the cumdump network operational? I posted today, i don't expect to hear anything back from you immediately, but I am curious how well its working?

Your first name (or a name you'll respond to): Cumdump from Breeding Zone (otherwise it will take too long to figure out why you're calling)

Your cell number (for texts and voice calls): (603)496-6491

A location (be at least as specific as a zip code): Downtown Concord, NH, 03301, near exits 13-14 off I-93 Centrally located for your convenience!

Times you're generally not available: really hard to say, my schedule is always changing

Age: 29

Height: 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm)

Weight: 260 pounds; 117kg,

Ethnicity: American (mixed)

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Well HIV Unknown is the actual status of every sexually active person who barebacks-- unless two guys are in a relationship where they have been monogamous for circa 6 months (and after four months of monogamy both guys get tested and results show they are HIV-).

Otherwise science proves that if you've been sexually active and barebacking in the past 90 days then your status is HIV Unknown; that's a fact.

I've always loved bb and I didn't chase but didn't avoid exposure, I knew the risks and the eventual outcome; I'm cool with my decision.

What I absolutely hate is people who choose ignorance, people who made a decision and knew the risks but after the outcome decide they're a "victim" and most of all people who can't imagine that someone would lie about their status (or lie about anything) just to get laid.

I always share my status when I hookup but don't judge people who choose the 'don't ask, don't tell' route prior to bb sex.

Maybe I'm sick of the endless mainstream media stories about HIV focusing on Porn performers getting HIV or some guy being criminally prosecuted for violating antiquated HIV laws and the person exposed (who in almost all of the cases chose to have bb sex w/the defendant) being labeled a "victim".

It would be nice to have another Magic Johnson-type make an HIV revelation because it certainly has the potential to help alter people's perceptions...

This is where I think PrEP will play an important role, at least here in the U.S. We are only just starting to change the conversation about HIV here. Funding started shifting into new prevention and awareness campaigns around the beginning of this year.

I think too, we are talking about 2 different points. You seem to concerned with living with HIV and whats that like, and public perception of us. But I don't agree that a celeb coming out as POZ will have a positive impact for us necessarily.

I do think a celeb coming as someone taking PrEP would make a difference because it continues to change the conversation about HIV. It actually addresses personal responsibility of the 'neg' partner engaging in bareback sex. The public or our sensationalist media could then point to the 'victim' who agreed to bareback in the criminal issues you mentioned and ask, why weren't you taking PrEP if you wanted to have bareback sex. Right now ALL the responsibility is left up to us. Until the conversation changes its still our responsibility.

I really do appreciate the some of the new ads out. The Puppet Service Announcements by Logo TV and Avenue Q are great, the tag line is "its time to rethink HIV, spread the word, not the virus!" But again, this kind of conversation changer is only just happening this year...It could take another year or 2 before a celeb would come and participate on the same level. My understanding is that the public in the U.S. and other western countries is not completely ready to take a pill for prevention purposes. It will take time to open that dialogue with the public, which is why I think a neg celeb taking PrEP would more valuable than a POZ celeb IMO...I just really think POZ celebs are risky to the conversation because there are too many variables the media could pick apart. Again, I would be especially concerned with the topic of how that celeb became infected, and the public would want to know too.

I think something else which could help would be more talk about sero-discordant relationships. Maybe instead of just having gay characters on TV or in movies or books, we meet their HIV + new boyfriend..

I'm terribly sorry to have given the impression that I am astute enough to ascribe a scientific endeavor to the discussion. I have an opinion and I am allowing my thoughts to come forth freely. I don't see the problem with "cherry picking" a comment and responding to it separately from the rest of your comments. Sometimes it is distinctly important to know when to discuss details and when to contribute considering a larger issue. Often details are the important features of a discussion because it continues to make it relevant and relate able. And it is also useful in terms of recognizing different topics with in the subject matter.

Please don't cherry-pick one element of one of my comment and propose that is my thesis... Noting that you've been following this thread from the beginning, I would urge you to focus on the macro, not the micro and comprehend the compilation of my comments here,

When I started this thread, it wasn't intended to speculate and gossip-- it was the impression I got from NPH's gaunt appearance that made me realize that in 22 years no prominent celebrity, musician or athlete has revealed that they are HIV+. I fully support any HIV+ public figure's right to privacy and the burden that comes along with being called the "new face" of HIV by the media.

At the same time public figures publicly announce their diagnosis with cancer, battles against hardcore addiction, Alzheimer's, we are forced to see Joaquin Phoenix's awful cleft palette and hear about celebrities treating their diabetes (like the mother on "What's Happening" whose diabetes led to them cutting off her legs); every one of those medical issues can be treated and can potentially be life-long or life-ending (well except Joaquin's dumb cleft palette) just like HIV. However HIV is thought of as taboo by so many and, in many ways, becomes more taboo as it fades from the spotlight after being the media's disease du jour.

What makes it grow even more taboo in the minds of many is the lack of someone of generation Y or a millennial with the prominence of Magic Johnson coming forward publicly and further demystifying HIV to the public. When that person comes forward, hopefully instead of essentially being a spokesperson for big condom companies, they push hard for people to get tested because IMO if tons of people were driven to get tested in a given year then HIV rates in the USA would skyrocket and represent a more accurate account of the scope of HIV. The more accurate %'s would make HIV significantly less taboo in the minds of many and people would view it similarly to those other medical issues I mentioned earlier.

Sorry for the long post; I guess it's annoying when all that is reported widely in the media about HIV are sensationalized crap about the porn industry which only reinforces misguided perceptions by the public.

I am not certain that just any major celeb could come out as POZ and have it demystify HIV... The circumstances under which this celeb contracted HIV will be the first questions and if it turns out he got it in a bathhouse of by engaging in risky behavior it is not going to do us any good...UNLESS that celebrity has been around since the 80s or early 90s and contracted then. I think behavior and origin of contraction will be the important issues in terms of helping or hurting. I get that its a medical disease/condition, but its not the same as something like cancer, or even diabetes. HIV is a preventable infection....unless you want say being gay is a genetic predisposition. I'll say it again, I think the best thing that could be done is if a gay celeb came out and said they started PrEP and they get tested regularly. Another great story that I think the public would listen to would be a drug addicted gay celeb who caught HIV from their drug use.. BUT if that celeb doesn't stay sober there could be more stereoptyping and it could potentially be worse for us than it is now. Not that its really all that bad.

I guess I am a bit cynical, but I just don't think HIV can become demystified simply by having a young hip gay celeb disclose his status. I think potentially it could be more harmful. I think the circumstances around it all would have to be a perfect blend of 'old enough to know better but too young to care' persona mixed with a deadly earnestness to maintain innocence and vulnerability.

Wasn't there a backlash against Lougainis for a pre-revelation incident where he hit his head on the board and it was bloody which after his revelation caused people to accuse him of potentially exposing others?

I think you are correct, but that points to the adversity he faced, and over came reinforcing his status as a hero for the gay community.

Loving this thread, I want to add Greg Louganis may not be as main stream as Magic, BUT he is a modern day hero for us and many people are still discovering him and the adversity he has overcome. I would not want his role minimized. I think his story is important to be told and re-told.

Also, I completely agree we need a high profile celebrity to come out as POZ. There is a renewed effort here in the US to 're-think' HIV. Anyone who watched Logo TV must have seen the "Puppet Service Announcements". Its an interesting take on prevention, but it definitely begins to make room for more discussion in the broader community. I think part of what is happening though is that HIV is not a terminal illness since the CDC changed it Chronic but manageable. People want to participate in Breast cancer, and heart health. HIV is not trendy anymore (there is a shrinking pot of money to pay directors of ASO's and to fund research.) Also, in this day and age our collective consciousness is going to look at a celebrity, especially a gay celebrity and ask, "Why did you get HIV? Don't you know you should wear a condom? Why should we listen to you and fund your cause if your engaging in risky behavior? Breast cancer isn't a choice!"

Thats the kind of stereotyping I think we are facing, even within our own community. I think what could be helpful is an HIV neg, gay celebrity coming out as someone who decided to take PrEP, because that would be Angelina Jolie fierce and noble....at least from a public stand point. I really want to hammer home that public perception of a gay man who caught HIV recently is that he is making poor choices. Publicly, and doctors, typically only endorse 'condom only safe sex', there are no other choices...its very similar to the abstinence only until marriage philosophy regarding sex education.

The public conversation about HIV is shifting, prevention has been a big focal point and it will stay that way, but we need to talk more about PrEP. In Africa its standard. Hell we have vaccines. There may not be a vaccine for HIV at this point, BUT PrEP is as close as we have come. That really needs to enter the conversation about prevention, especially if we ever want to see the stereotyping die down. Anyway, I have gone on enough, I support the idea of celebs coming out as POZ or taking PrEP.

Oh thank you so much for that. Really insightful

I agree it is possible. Based on that photo I would suggest a couple of things, 1) he's poz 2)he is an alcoholic, or drug addict. 3)he doesn't eat much, or has a gastric issue. ( I don't follow him at all, he might be a straight edge for all I know so please don't be offended about my addict comment) My reason for suggesting a gastric issue is because I have cousin who has always been very skinny, and then he suffered from a gastric issue and was on a colostomy bag for awhile. Ever since he has had that wasted looking face, makes him look older than he is.