lystn

Jorge is a teacher, an activist, and a gay man. Three years ago, he discovered that he is HIV positive. Today he is undetectable, meaning that he cannot sexually transmit HIV to another person. In this episode, Jorge discusses how he became involved in activism for the LGBTQ community, how trauma and shame he acquired from the Pentecostal church lead him toward risky behavior, and why he believes mental health care is essential to (and missing from) HIV prevention. A note from Jorge: Not all HIV experiences are equal. My story is just one experience, and my path to HIV, though common in stigmatized and persecuted communities, is not the only one. There are victims of sexual violence who have been exposed to HIV. Also, transmission has many paths outside of sexual activity, such as negligence by health professionals or drug use. Some people simply have been victims of chance. However, HIV as a result of trauma and mental health concerns can play a big role in how the virus is spread.