“At such a young age I was down on myself a lot and had very low self-esteem. I was dating an individual and our relationship I found became based on sex with a lot of fighting and dishonesty. I cared for this person and at times validated who I was through them. I later found out that they were positive after finding medication in their home and later going to get tested with a best friend. I always look back and wished that they were undetectable as I have always been and that I was smarter at the time and loved myself more. You live and you definitely learn.
I take a pill once a day with food. It’s a new drug called Odefsey with no side effects and easily accessible through my local pharmacy. I have remained undetectable since my diagnosis, however when I started antiretroviral therapy I was taking Epzicom and Isentress, followed by Complera and now Odefsey.
Having contracted the virus at such a young age, when one thinks they are invincible, it definitely brought me face to face with my own mortality and made me more responsible in my everyday life. I was so concerned with what people thought of me and often times did things to have people perceive this image of what they thought I should be. After my diagnosis, I kept it a secret to many, became self-aware and made a promise to stay true to who I was. Since my diagnosis my relationships with friends and family have become stronger and I’ve made it a point to keep myself surrounded by other individuals who are living happy and healthy lives along with the virus.
PrEP has definitely calmed a lot of fear of HIV in the LGBT community and has caused a lot of people to educate themselves about HIV and learn more about prevention and treatment options. More people have become comfortable with having healthy sexual relationships with folks who are HIV positive while at the same time educating others and speaking out against stigma.”
Brandon, 29, undetectable. Brooklyn, NY. Flight Attendant