Simon — 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 started taking PrEP 2 years ago. I found out about it from the Manhattan LGBT Center. Being trans is kind of an obstacle because trans men are at high risk for HIV, but there are barely any studies on us. It takes Truvada a longer time (30 days) to protect vaginas and, even then, I have to be extra-careful because missing a day is more risky for me.

I get a prescription from my doctor. Combining my insurance with a discount I don't pay anything for it.

Being on PrEP has altered my sexual behavior, now I feel more comfortable to have raw sex. When I started taking Truvada I already had an undetectable partner and it helped me feel even more secure.

My name is Simon. I’m a 25-year-old transmasculine person, originally from upstate New York, but currently living in Bushwick. I'm a PhD student for French medieval literature and I also teach French to undergrads at Baruch College."