Queer VoicesHIVanal sexhivaids-prevention

Undetectable HIV: Is It Stigmatizing Gay Sex?

Is Undetectable HIV Stigmatizing Gay Sex?
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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

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Before You Go

25 ACT UP Posters
AIDS Is A Primary Issue(01 of25)
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AIDS is a primary issue. Demand a national plan on AIDS. (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
Ask Carlo How He Feels...(02 of25)
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Ask Carlo how he feels about the AIDS drug that costing him $30,000 a year. (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
If You F*** Without A Condom...(03 of25)
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If you [f**k] without a condom you risk HIV infection and can get AIDS. (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
(04 of25)
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(credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
Silence = Death(05 of25)
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Silence = Death (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
Silence = Death (1989)(06 of25)
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Silence = Death (1989) (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
Clinton To People With AIDS...(07 of25)
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Clinton to people with AIDS: Go die in the street. (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
Dead Women Can't Vote...(08 of25)
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Dead women can't vote. Cure AIDS (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
I'd Fight AIDS If I Only...(09 of25)
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I'd fight AIDS if I only had the heart (Reverse side: Rudy [Giuliani]: Teach safe sex in schools.) [Wizard of Oz series.] (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
The Only Way Research...(10 of25)
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The only way research is done on women. ACT UP (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
Stop The Pope...(11 of25)
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Stop the Pope. John Paul is a drag. (Reverse side: Stop homophobia. Gay marriage is a right.) (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
10,000 New York City AIDS Deaths...(12 of25)
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10,000 New York City AIDS Deaths. How'm I doin'? [Ed Koch] (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
Moderate Republicans(13 of25)
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Moderate Republicans [7 Ku Klux Klan hoods with names] (Draft) (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
Read My Lips(14 of25)
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Read My Lips (boys). (Reverse: Why we kiss) (1988) (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
Holocaust Candidates(15 of25)
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Holocaust candidates (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
Enjoy AZT(16 of25)
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Enjoy AZT (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
Safe Sex Is Hot Sex(17 of25)
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Safe sex is hot sex (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
Our Government Continues To Ignore The Lives...(18 of25)
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Our government continues to ignore the lives... (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
Crash The Market, 10th Anniversary Action(19 of25)
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Crash the Market, 10th Anniversary Action (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
The Government Has Blood On Its Hands...(20 of25)
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The government has blood on its hands. One AIDS death every half hour. (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
Since The City Cut AIDS Education...(21 of25)
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Since the city cut AIDS education, more kids get to leave school early. (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
You Can't Wear A Red Ribbon If You're Dead(22 of25)
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You can't wear a red ribbon if you're dead. (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
The CDC Is A Dead End(23 of25)
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The CDC Is a Dead End. (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
Boycott Miller...(24 of25)
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Boycott Miller. Helm$ = Death. (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
Republican Roots...(25 of25)
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Republican roots G.O.P., K.K.K. (credit:ACT UP New York Records Manuscripts & Archives Division)
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