Responsibility

p(standfirst). Safe sex is the responsibility of both HIV positive and negative gay men. However,some people believe that HIV positive men should be responsible for safe sex, or at least should tell all their sexual partners about their HIV status.*

  • Laws related to disclosure of HIV status vary in different countries and are also different in Australian states and territories.

So, in situations where they are completely anonymous, many positive men feel the burden of this responsibility is lifted to a certain extent.This does not mean though that condoms won’t be used in these situations, but it may be one factor that leads to this decision.

Of course, many HIV positive men choose to use condoms every time, no matter where they are.

I have to be responsible here, like I suppose I should be anyway, because everyone knows everyone here and it takes two seconds for a story to get around town.TOM

TRAVEL TIP: If you’re HIV-positive, find out whether the required vaccinations are safe for positive people.

I am a little more partial to people that are also positive. I don’t know why. I don’t have unsafe sex, I have been asked to but I just won’t. It just won’t happen.ANDREW

Overseas I almost know that I can have unsafe sex if I choose. Whereas here, because you know people, you use a bit more discretion and judgment if you decide to have unsafe sex.ADAM

Some men, positive or negative, sometimes fuck without condoms and follow strategies they believe will reduce the chance of getting, or passing on, HIV. For negative men these strategies include only fucking i.e. not getting fucked. For positive men, these include only getting fucked, or if fucking, pulling out before coming. However, none of these approaches actually removes the risk of HIV transmission.

It is important to know that someone you are having sex with may be prepared not to use condoms because he believes it is safe enough — either for himself or for you.

If you do fuck without condoms you should be aware that this is not an effective long-term strategy and consider whether this needs to be changed.

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This article was first published in July 2001 - more than seven years ago.

While the content of this article was checked for accuracy at the time of publication, NAPWA recommends checking to determine whether the information is the most up-to-date available, especially when making decisions which may affect your health.

Last updated: 26 May 05.