"The reason I’m on PrEP is because a partner told me several times they had a condom on and did not. After our sexual experience, I realized what had happened and felt bad about myself. I felt responsible for his behavior, betrayed, embarrassed and violated.
I went on emergency PEP and transitioned into taking PrEP. In the process my doctor shared some sage advice, he told me to assume partners aren’t telling the truth or that they may not even know their current HIV status.
This experience changed me in ways I can’t describe or even figure out at the moment.
I have the right to tell someone how they can treat my body because it’s mine.
I own it and at the end of the day I’m in charge of me.
I originally got PEP from the NYC Clinic and then PrEP from Callen-Lorde. Now I get it through private insurance. I do pay for it now, but didn't for PEP.
PrEP has completely liberated me sexually from unnecessary fear, my own internal unwanted stigma and guilt for not having protected sex. It has changed the way I view HIV positive and undetectable people by removing the fear of "what could happen". It’s a beautiful thing, really. I think PrEP will revolutionize the gay community again. I believe the sexual revolution of the 60's will happen again in modern society.
My name is Terrance and I am a 27 year old queer Brooklyn resident working in Residential Interior Design."