Undetectable HIV: Is It Stigmatizing Gay Sex?

As Tyler Curry, founder of Needle Prick Project, recently wrote:

"An HIV-positive person can achieve undetectable levels after undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART). A level of a person's HIV viral load is what causes them to be more or less likely to transmit the disease. An undetectable viral load reduces the likelihood of transmission by 96 percent. Once a person achieves an undetectable status, it is possible to remain at this level provided that the person is compliant with their ART medication."

But does the label "undetectable" help or harm discussions around gay sex and HIV?

That’s the question HuffPost Gay Voices Editor Noah Michelson discussed with Curry, Gawker’s Rich Juzwiak and My Fabulous Disease blogger Mark King on HuffPost Live.

“HIV-positive sexuality is still slightly demonized and that’s why we have to have these conversations,” Curry noted. “We don’t exist in two separate groups … I am not in any way advocating for condomless sex in the least.”

Added King: “I think there is a very real viral divide among gay men … please get tested if you’re a sexually man or woman, gay or straight.”

WATCH THE FULL SEGMENT ON HUFFPOST LIVE