PrEP Discrimination

[Blueyedsoul]

Hey guys, well, it's been two full weeks since I have been on PrEP and I do feel different mentally. I now know longer fear or have the anxiety of sex like I used to even though that never stopped me. I have now done the responsible thing by updating all of my profiles: Adam, BBRTS, Grindr, Jack'ed, Scruff and my CL posts, etc. Prior to PrEP I mentioned 'anything goes' and would post test dates and results while having the proof ready to send. Now, I keep that info only because I am in a PrEP study through a major medical school here in SoCal.

Imagine my surprise when I started receiving hate mail?! Seriously?! One guys said I was lying and lulling tops into a false since of security. Another top told me I must be HIV+ while another regular BBC raw top told me that he now wanted to use rubbers because I was obviously wanting to take poz loads. Needless to say, I am shocked at the adverse reactions. Since I have been on PrEP I haven't bottomed for anyone. My tops have all got cold feet. They had no issues topping me raw before. One black guy said it was a government conspiracy and that "THEY" wanted me "sick".. just like the CIA in Compton. It's literally breath taking. Anyone else getting this kind of blow back (pardon the pun)? Anyone thinking about lying about being on PrEP? It seems I got more play without the little wonder than with it. Thoughts?

[seaguy]

Sadly there are allot of misinformed people out there who have issues with PeEP due to misinformation they have heard about it or they are AIDS conspiracy/denialists which is a whole nother story. And then you just have the cunts who are not afraid of telling someone how they feel about something even if it is none of their god damned business. they are probably the same guys who rail against bareback porn every time a post is put up about it on the gay porn blogs. block and ignore hopefully they will get with the program and read the correct information on it someday or just learn to keep their fucking opinions to themselves.

Edited June 3, 2014 by seaguy
saved too soon

[rawfuckr]

Anyone else getting this kind of blow back (pardon the pun)? Anyone thinking about lying about being on PrEP? It seems I got more play without the little wonder than with it. Thoughts?

When I went on PrEP about a year and a half ago I was super excited and decided to tell people. Got the exact same shit as you got. People are just plain stupid and ignorant. They would rather fuck you raw without any questions than them knowing you are on PrEP, which in reality makes you at so much less risk than any other fuck. I personally ended not saying anything and has worked well. On the occasion I'm not really interested on the top I'll tell them I'm on PrEP and looking to get fucked raw a most of them will scream and run away

PrEP is still very new and most people have no clue what is about. It will take years of education until people get comfortable with it and equate it to condoms.

[slowfuck]

Leaving aside those ignorant folk who think you mean you're HIV and Prep is the latest medication for it, I guess it's like when women said they were on the contraceptive pill when it first came out. 'They must be sluts' was the view. There are still people with that moral view and telling them is akin to flaunting your sluttiness, and you reap the whirlwind of their indignation. I think just keep it to yourselves and know you can relax a little, STIs aside. My view is they don't need to know.

[Guest JizzDumpWI]

Same reactions here in WI. I doubt being thought sluts is it, but perhaps prior posts are onto something that information brings on distrust. We seem to have a distain for education.

[Poz1956]

The reaction seems to be common. Jake Sobo in his piece titled "Wishing and Hoping and Praying—How Not to Prevent HIV" described the exact same reactions.

You could try and explain to these guys that 83% of new infections are from guys who think they're "clean," and that you're trying to prevent one of those "surostatus unknown" guys from infecting you. These mental midgets probably wouldn't be able to grasp that concept either. Because they "know" they are "D Free," the information couldn't possibly apply to them.

But as others have said, just take you pill every day, call yourself "Neg," and mention that you get tested every three months. Most will be very happy with that info. Leave out the fact that you're on PrEP, because it just confuses those with uneducated grey matter in their big head.

And of course these responses run completely parallel to the reaction a Poz guy gets when explaining the low risk of an undetectable viral load.

I wish we could figure out a way to cut through all this crap so we could all get back to the serious business of having happy, fulfilling sex lives.

[TigerMilner]

This sounds like a case of bad public relations. Just don't tell so much. Why do need to put in your ads that you are on prep anyway? Especially now that you know it brings such a mixed reaction. Bring it out only when you need to. It's for your protection, only.

[rawfuckr]

Why do need to put in your ads that you are on prep anyway?

IMHO There is a benefit for the whole community when people publicize they are using PrEP. More awareness means more normalization. Then of course, everyone should be comfortable with disclosing their PrEP taking as wish. If its too much trouble for someone just don't. Most of the time, I just don't say anything.

[tallbtm]

Reactions I've gotten about being on PrEP have been very different from yours, Blueyedsoul. Mostly curiosity: e.g. "What's PrEP?" I have received NO negative reactions or shaming.

So when I get one of those questions, I answer and briefly explain that its an FDA-approved, once daily pill to help prevent HIV infection and that I take it because I am a bottom, HIV- (and want to stay neg.) and like bareback. The next message back is usually "Thanks, cool - didn't know about it" or "Great, let's fuck." (I love the 2nd answer!)

I'm now putting "Neg. and on PrEP" on my profiles and agree with Rawfuckr -- more awareness about PrEP benefits the whole community (as does more awareness of Treatment as Prevention).

[wood]

Leaving aside those ignorant folk who think you mean you're HIV and Prep is the latest medication for it, I guess it's like when women said they were on the contraceptive pill when it first came out. 'They must be sluts' was the view. There are still people with that moral view and telling them is akin to flaunting your sluttiness, and you reap the whirlwind of their indignation. I think just keep it to yourselves and know you can relax a little, STIs aside. My view is they don't need to know.

This is pretty much it.

Its essentially "slut shamming" Ive been active in a group for PrEP advocacy, and this has been a constant issue for many people involved. The good news is that most people when they hear about it are genuinely curious and want to know more. the bad is that there still are people trying to shame people based many times on false notions about their sex life, and taking a great step in protecting themselves.

[rawTOP]

"slut shaming"

When that happens try to turn it around on them. "I'm sorry your sex life sucks." or "You only go around once. I plan on making the most of it." And 10,000 other possible retorts.

Just straighten your back and be proud of who you are. Sluts have more fun - own it and be proud of it.