Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with HIV or been living with HIV for a while, you may well feel anxious about telling other people about your status. This is not unusual – some HIV positive men feel that having already come out as gay, they now have to go through the ‘coming out’ process all over again.
Fantastic as it is to have fierce, unashamed role models, neither Conchita nor Charlie made a free choice to talk about their HIV status. In both cases, the decision to go public was driven by an ex, threatening to ‘out’ them. Read more
Before you tell anyone you’re HIV positive, it’s a good idea to make sure that you ’re ready to do so, and that you understand why you want to tell them. Think about what you want in return, and be prepared for a whole range of reactions – good and bad. Read more
You don’t have to tell your GP or dentist that you have HIV; however, it may be useful for them to know. Read more
How do you disclose your status to a one night stand or hook-up? When do you bring it up and do you even need to? Read more
Talking to friends and family may be easier than disclosing your status to a boss or fellow colleagues, particularly if you are not close to them. So how should you tell them and do you even need to? Read more
Telling a family member about your HIV status can seem scary and daunting. It’s understandable that you never want your family to worry about your health, and it can be difficult discussing something so intimate with your mum, dad or a sibling. However, having your family as a support network can be invaluable when coming to terms with your diagnosis. Read more
Being diagnosed with HIV can be a very isolating experience and can seem like a lot to deal with alone. Talking to friends and having their support can help you come to terms with your status, provide you with a support network and give you an opportunity to educate someone about HIV. Read more
So how do you broach the subject of your HIV status with the one you love (or really like a lot)? Read more