Jeffrey — Francesco Di Benedetto

and so it happened

Medical advances and the availability of PrEP have certainly improved and changed the lives of the HIV-positive community in recent years. Public attitudes, however, have not kept pace. The stigma endures and the need for better understanding remains. And so this project provides a safe platform where the portraits and the stories of those either living with HIV or on PrEP are shared, because openness is key to tolerance and no one should have to hide — whatever their status.

“I was 20 when I contracted the virus. I was in a relationship with this dude for a year and a half and I didn't know he was positive. We did our thing and still he didn't tell me that he was positive. When I found out I didn't know what to do. I didn't know if I wanted to kill myself or kill him.

I am now undetectable and the mix of meds that I take consists of Tivicay and Descovy.

My life hasn't really changed much. Even though I have to take pills on a daily basis, life is still going on beautifully.

I love the fact that people today can protect themselves from the virus that I carry thanks to things like PrEP and PEP, but I also wish that PrEP was around before I contracted the virus.”

Jeffrey, 24, undetectable. Bronx, NY. Student