Get Out! GAY Magazine – Issue 433 August 28, 2019

THOMAS
TALKS
ABOUT: THE OTHER
I started taking PrEP a
couple weeks ago. I’m
still using condoms.
I’ve heard some rumors
about how long you
have to take it before
it’s effective, but I’m
unsure and don’t want
to screw it up. The side
effects also haven’t
been awesome, but I’m
dealing with them and
hoping they go away. I
guess I’m still deciding
if I want to continue
taking it or not. I’m
also still scared about
the potential for HIV,
like, it’s scary. I feel
conflicted about it all,
and now I see these
ads about some lawsuit
and I don’t want to hurt
my body. What should I
do? -Male, Gay, 22
You’ve started a new
medication, and you’re
concerned about the
long-term effects on
your body. This is one
of the reasons that
people are required to
go to their doctor for
check-ups every three
months. We don’t
know the long-term
consequences, that’s
true. PrEP can take up
to 28 days to reach
full effectiveness in a
person’s body; however,
there are other dosing
strategies available,
like intermittent PrEP
use, that have similar
effectiveness when
done properly. There is
also some research that
shows PrEP use leads
to decreases in sexual
anxiety (fears around
HIV transmission), and
it is recommended
that people on
PrEP continue using
condoms; it’s intended
to be a backup (not
that everyone views it
that way). Talk to your
provider about your
concerns. If you’re using
condoms consistently,
PrEP might be overkill.
WTF is everyone’s
problem with PrEP?!
I’m seriously starting
to get pissed off. I hear
people making fun of
guys on PrEP all the
time now, and I’m sick
of it. Since when is
taking care of my health
a bad thing? It’s even
starting to come from
my sexual partners, like
them questioning if I’m
a good person to have
sex with because I’m on
PrEP. I honestly never
LITTLE BLUE PILL
had this problem when
I wasn’t using condoms,
but now I’m not using
condoms and on PrEP
and there is an issue.
I’m not sure if I have a
question or just venting.
FRUSTRATED! -Male,
Gay, 32
There is growing
literature around PrEP
stigma, or negative
thoughts and views
associated with PrEP
use. People who
experience more PrEP
stigma are less likely
to begin taking PrEP,
or even stop taking
it. Ultimately, those
who are making fun
of you for taking it are
stigmatizing the use
and contributing to the
spread of HIV. You’re
not alone in feeling
like people are talking
about you or saying
negative things about
PrEP. I agree with you,
it’s a sexual health
behavior and should be
taken seriously. If I were
you, I’d try to remind
yourself why you’re on
it, what the benefits are
for you and don’t focus
on what those around
you say. You can be an
advocate for PrEP use
if you want, but it’s also
not your job to make
sure everyone agrees
with you.
Sex/Love/Relationship advice? Send your questions to: ThomasTalksAbout@gmail.com
@ThomasWhitfield84