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Francesco Di Benedetto

Photographer
  • Portraits
  • Fashion
  • Projects
  • Video
  • About/Contact

and so it happened

Medical advances and the availability of PrEP have certainly improved and changed the lives of the HIV-positive community in recent years. Public attitudes, however, have not kept pace. The stigma endures and the need for better understanding remains. And so this project provides a safe platform where the portraits and the stories of those either living with HIV or on PrEP are shared, because openness is key to tolerance and no one should have to hide — whatever their status.


Daniel

December 11, 2017

“A guy one night informed me he was undetectable before we had sex here in NYC back in the summer of 2013 when I was 20 years old. We fucked without a condom throughout the night because I knew that being undetectable meant that contracting HIV wasn't possible. I started to get sick about two weeks afterwards and it turned out to be my seroconversion. I later learned from other guys who knew this individual that he lies about being undetectable to others before fucking. Unsure if it's just to fuck or if he purposefully targets people cause I've heard that this has happened to others, but that's how it happened.

I've been on ART as soon as I seroconverted back in 2013. I've been on 5 regimens, but the two I'm on now are Tivicay and Descovy.

I'm much more aware of my physical and mental health now. I have to be on point on those aspects of my life, and I honestly am in the best shape I've ever been in my life, both physically and mentally. I currently work with HIV organizations because of my background in nonprofit management and my passion within current HIV-related issues.

PrEP has 100% changed my sexuality. All of my sexual partners who are on PrEP are able to be more comfortable and 100% themselves with me because of that added layer of prevention they act on.”

Daniel, 25, undetectable. Brooklyn, NY. Working in HIV-related environments, including The HIV League.

← TylerJeffrey →

and so it happened

 

Medical advances and the availability of PrEP have certainly improved and changed the lives of the HIV positive community in recent years. Public attitudes, however, have not kept pace. The stigma of an HIV positive diagnosis endures and the need for better understanding remains. And so this project provides a safe platform where the portraits and the stories of those either living with HIV or on PrEP can be shared, because openness is key to tolerance and no one should have to hide — whatever their status.


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