Click
here to see the results of our 2006 Crystal Meth survey
STAYING
OFF CRYSTAL - You Can Do It!
For
friends, family and partners of gay/bi men who use crystal
Strength
Over Speed
The
Trouble With Tina…
“Almost one year ago, my friend Stan died from a crystal overdose.
That was 3 months after my other friend Sean was found dead in a park
in south Seattle. The last person to see him alive was his drug dealer.
I know other brilliant, talented, funny, delicious people who are no
longer part of my life because they are now dead from banging too much
speed, getting AIDS from speed, or just… disappearing. All of
them tried so hard to quit. Swore every weekend that this would be it.
And they could never get out from underneath. I am sad about that. Sad
that even after a thousand late night phone calls, countless talks over
coffee, tears, pleadings, warm shoulders, and even an occasional sharp
kick in the ass… I still could not help them. Sad that they all
had glimmers of hope but that crystal still won. I am so angry about
that. It’s so unfair.”
~ anonymous testimonial posted on www.talkabouttina.org
Meth
Understood
There’s been a lot of talk about Tina lately. Organizations in
New York City and San Francisco have recently launched ad campaigns
targeting the problem. But you might be wondering what exactly is the
big deal? Why is crystal more of a problem than any other drug? And
what’s the connection between meth and HIV? Well, hold on to your
hats, kids, it’s gonna be a “bumpy” ride…
Crystal
is a methamphetamine, a stimulant that can produce a sense of self-confidence
and often raises levels of energy and stamina. It acts on the brain
chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine, which control pleasure and alertness,
respectively. It creates a feeling of euphoria, increases energy, prolongs
sexual performance, and suppresses appetite. It also lessens your ability
and desire to sleep. The high can last anywhere from 8 to 12 hours and
is usually followed by a crash – a period of exhaustion, depression,
irritability and sometimes paranoia.
It is typically
found as a white, yellowish or reddish powder, a waxy solid, or a clear
rock. It can be swallowed, snorted, smoked, injected, or inserted anally
(“booty bumping”). Crystal is also known as Tina, Crissy,
bump, speed, ice, glass, or tweak. On average, a ¼ gram costs
about $20.
Meth-Underestimated
A lot of gay guys start using meth to overcome feelings of inadequacy,
both in physical appearance and sexual attractiveness. Tina helps them
feel better about who they are, what they are, how they look, and how
they act. A lot of positive guys take crystal to forget about their
HIV
for a while. Other guys, deeply entrenched in a homophobic society,
find that crystal is the only way they can come to terms with their
queer selves. But whatever
the reasons you start using, it is incredibly difficult to quit.
A lot of
guys overestimate their ability to use crystal. They start off on the
weekends, staying up and partying for days. Crystal helps them to dance,
socialize, connect and fit in with other guys. It boosts your confidence
and improves self-esteem. You rapidly develop a craving-reward addiction
cycle in your brain.
“First
you feel like James Bond; then you want to kill yourself…”
~ written on a crystal “talking wall” at Dunshee
House
“I
do crystal sometimes. I think it’s fun. But I don’t do it
very often. Most of my friends can’t stop, going on these huge
weeklong binges. I do it even less now because I don’t wanna encourage
my friends who are out of control.”
~ written on a crystal “talking wall” at Gay
City Wellness Center
Immediate
use causes a sharp spike in your blood pressure, irregular heartbeats,
chest pain and possible overdose. It can also cause damage to your dick
or asshole from aggressive, prolonged sex. Crystal turns you into a
fuck machine, able to go for hours and hours at a time. It lowers your
inhibitions, allowing you to experiment with more aggressive or taboo
sex. Prolonged use can lead to excessive weight loss, impaired memory,
chronic depression, paranoia, temporary psychosis, impotence, tooth
loss, abscesses, soft tissue infections, hepatitis,
STDs, and HIV infection. Even when you’ve lost your job, your
home, your friends, and you’re turning tricks for another bump
and a place to crash for the night, Tina still has you in her grip.
“I
had sex with at least ten different guys. I fucked four of them, had
my cock in all of their mouths. One guy begged, “let me eat your
ass.” I felt like a time bomb had just gone off in my head. I
want to cry. I want to tell him I love him. I want to get away. I want
more speed. I ask myself, ‘How in the fuck could I do these things
knowing I have AIDS?’ and I answer myself, ‘How could you
do these things knowing about AIDS?’ I did not come, piss or let
anyone rim me, but not one guy asked me to wear a condom. What in the
fuck is wrong with us?”
~ anonymous testimonial posted on www.talkabouttina.org
Meth-ing
Link
It is estimated that 1 in 5 gay/bi guys who use crystal by non-injection
have HIV. 1 in 3 gay/bi guys who inject crystal have HIV. Your chances
of getting HIV are 2 to 5 times greater when using crystal.
While it’s
true that when you’re high on any drug (including alcohol)
your judgment is impaired and you are less likely to be safe. But there
seems to be a particular connection between crystal meth use and HIV.
Crystal boosts your sex drive but it also causes impotence, or “crystal
dick.” This turns a lot of guys into instant, insatiable bottoms.
It lowers your inhibitions. Add to that feelings of invincibility and
condoms
and safe sex go right out the window. Getting fucked raw for hours (sometimes
by more than one guy) increases your risk for HIV exponentially, not
to mention other STDs. The prolonged rough, raw sex tears
up your asshole and/or the skin on your dick, making it easier for
bacteria
and viruses to get in. Then consider that if your partners aren’t
being safe with you… they aren’t being safe with others.
Recent outbreaks
of syphilis
have been attributed to unsafe sex due to crystal meth use, and now
a study out of New York shows a direct connection with injecting crystal
and hepatitis
C infections.
“When the speed is gone, you need a real life to come back
to. One filled with love, understanding, humility, honesty and goals.
I’m learning how to do this.”
~ anonymous testimonial posted on www.talkabouttina.org
“I
guess I never really knew what a big deal it was until a friend of mine
lost his house and most of his friends – this is not like other
drugs.”
~ written on a crystal “talking wall” at Gay
City Wellness Center
Meth-ing
Persons
There is a lot of hopelessness associated with meth addiction, from
people not even realizing that they have a problem to feeling like they
are unable to escape. The good news is that crystal meth addiction is
possible to treat
successfully. A lot of guys have to hit rock bottom before they
finally decide to get help. It can be very difficult and painful to
watch your friends on a downward spiral. It can be even harder to let
them go.
The real
trick for recovered crystal addicts is finding a way to reintegrate
themselves back into sober society. They need to find new friends to
replace the ones that they’ve alienated due to meth use, or whom
they used to use crystal with. So please, be kind to your recovering
crystal addict. They’ve had a rough ride. They could use a
friend.
Meth
Directions
If one thing is clear it’s that this trouble with Tina isn’t
going to go away any time soon. The question is: where do we go from
here? What are the solutions? How do you get people off of meth? How
do you keep them off in the first place? What steps can guys on crystal
take to have safer sex? What is the community doing about it? What are
the social alternatives?
There are
a lot of questions… and just as many answers. I’m sure you
have some of them. Be a part of the conversation. Be a part of the solution.
For more
info about party drugs check out "Drugs
In Partyland"
References:
www.talkabouttina.org
“Deconstructing Tina” (Gay City)
www.dancesafe.org
Community
Resources for gay/bi crystal users:
Strength Over Speed (not 12-step)
Mondays 2 PM, 303 17th Ave. E. (at corner of Thomas)
Tuesdays 6 PM, 1216 Pine St @ Melrose (Seattle Counseling Services)
Thursdays 2 PM, Harborview Madison Clinic - 2nd Floor, West Wing
Fridays 6 PM, 303 17th Ave. E. (at corner of Thomas)
Saturdays 7 PM, 1002 E. Seneca - Lifelong AIDS Alliance (enter from
lower parking lot)
www.strengthoverspeed.org
Crystal
Clear (NEON/SOS) (not 12-step)
Tuesdays 6 PM, Seattle Counseling Service
1216 Pine Street (at corner of Melrose)
Project
NEON: (206) 323-1768
Free 1:1 counseling, health info for crystal users.
www.crystalneon.org
Crystal
Meth Anonymous
Wednesdays 8 PM, Alano Club 1900 E. Madison
Fridays 8 PM, 303 17th Ave. E. (at corner of Thomas)
www.xtwkrs.org
www.crystalmeth.org
Seattle
Counseling Service: (206) 323-1768
Adult and youth treatment, crystal meth program (NEON).
www.seattlecounseling.org
Capitol
Hill Alano Club: (206) 860-9560
Daily LGBT meetings.
1900 E. Madison (at the corner of 19th)
www.capitolhillalanoclub.org
Narcotics
Anonymous: (206) 790-8888
www.seattlena.org
Needle
Exchange: (206) 205-7837 for all times and locations.
Capitol Hill: 6 - 8:30 PM every night, corner of 10th & Seneca (in
van or inside Lifelong)
http://www.metrokc.gov/health/apu/resources/needle.htm
COMING
OUT
Doing it with crystal can fuck everything up
By Anonymous
When I came
out I had no idea who I was or how I was suppose to act. Was I doing
it right? What did it mean to be gay? Did I want to be a woman? Did
I want to be a man? Was I a top or a bottom? Was I fem or butch, a Castro
clone or a cub? Was I into S&M, kink, water sports, missionary style,
bush sex or the baths? Did I do party drugs? WHAT! I had no idea what
being a gay man meant for me or how to do it. The only gay role models
I ever saw were in films portrayed as tormented drag queens that drank
themselves into oblivion, drugged out psychos on the war path or big
scary men that hung out in dark alley's waiting to get their hands on
you. Today we have the likes of Barney Frank, Greg Louganis, Rupert
Everett, RuPaul, Esera Tuaolo, and Elton John, not to mention Harvey
Milk. Even with these role models, coming out is still one of the most
difficult things a gay man will face in his life. That, and for some
of us being told we have HIV.
What I did
know is that I wanted to be around gay men. That sent me out to the
bars and around every kind of gay man you could imagine. I drank a lot,
tried almost everything that was offered and experienced a great many
things. Sometimes I found myself in situations I had no control of and
not even knowing if I wanted to be there. Like finding myself in unfamiliar
surroundings fucking and sucking away with a bunch of hot men, none
of whom I recognized or waking up in the doorway of the I-Beam on a
Monday morning. I was lucky I suffered no negative consequences that
I would have to live with the rest of my life.
Exploring
is part of coming out, and for a lot of guys that includes drinking
and drugs. Today that may include crystal. Crystal is a large problem
in our community, and many gay men's lives are being devastated. It
starts out as a bump here and there and before you know it crystal has
a hold of you and you can't get free. It can take over you and your
sex life before you even know it. Men are coming out the other side
having to figure out not only what kind of gay man they are, but also
how to live with HIV and crystal addiction. By this time crystal rules
your life and clouds everything you do and if you did it with sex they
are then one. If you survive you are right back where you started, having
to figure out how to be a gay man.
So, boys,
think before you party. It's ok to be gay and not do drugs, especially
crystal; it can really fuck up your life!!
[Note
from HomoHealth staff]
1 in 5 crystal users is HIV+, and your chances of getting HIV when you
use crystal are 2 to 5 times higher than if you don’t. This is
because when you’re high on crystal you become more sexually voracious,
have a higher number of partners, and aren’t very likely to use
condoms.
2006
Online Crystal Meth Survey
The
purpose of this survey was to obtain information from current methamphetamine
users who were also gay men and obtain their attitudes and opinions
surrounding HIV and drug use. Working in collaboration with researchers
at the University of Washington and staff at Lifelong AIDS Alliance
a survey tool was created consisting of 29 questions. The questions
were broken into 4 sub- groups that asked about drug use, sexual behavior,
knowledge of services, and demographics. The survey questions were designed
to obtain quantitative data about such things as length of drug use,
method of drug use, HIV status, condom use, safer sex practices, and
awareness of specific organizations. There was also one open ended question
asking individuals how they felt about their personal sexual behavior.
The
survey was made available in two formats. The first was an online version
which was created through surveymonkey.com. Links to this online survey
were posted on educational websites including Drugs in Partyland and
Lifelong AIDS Alliance Men’s Program. There were also profiles
created for a number of gay men’s sex sites that contained the
survey link. These websites included, Men4Sex.com, Gay.com, Manhunt.net,
Adam4Adam.com, and Craigslist. The survey was available online for 6
weeks and received responses from 186 individuals, 73 of which qualified
as current users of crystal methamphetamine. The other format for the
survey was a paper questionnaire that was filled out by an interviewer
asking the questions in a face to face setting. Because of the population
we were trying to reach we found the best way to obtain face to face
surveys was to have them administered by peers. With the help of Project
Neon, we were able to have two individuals who administered these surveys
among other users. The interviewers were compensated with $40 in Target
gift cards and completed a total of 23 face to face surveys. Both the
online survey and the paper survey results were combined for the purpose
of analyzing the data.
Total
Respondents = 93
Demographics |
Age |
Ethnicity |
Income |
Education |
HIV
status |
19-25
17% |
White
85% |
Less
than $15k 28% |
Not
finished with HS 3% |
HIV+
48% |
26-35
18% |
Latino
0% |
15-30k
25% |
High
School 43% |
HIV-
44% |
36-45
27% |
Afr-Am
8% |
30-50k
13% |
Some
college 19% |
HIV?
8% |
46-55
5% |
Asian/PI
3% |
50k+
24% |
College
29% |
-- |
55+
2% |
Refused
4% |
Refused
10% |
Refused
6% |
-- |
How
long have you been using crystal meth?
| Less
than 1 year |
21% |
| 1-2
years |
24% |
| 3-4
years |
23% |
| 5-6
years |
7% |
| 6+
years |
25% |
- The distribution
of length of crystal use was equally spread out.
- Roughly
25% of respondents fell into each category. The only exception was
5-6 years of use which only included 7%.
- Surprisingly,
length of use was not attributed to age, although those who used for
6+ years tended to be older.
- Length
of use was less with higher levels of education. 65% of those who
had use for less than 1 year had attended college.
- As has
been seen in other studies, the longer meth was used the higher the
rate of HIV.
In
which of the following ways do you currently, or have you ever used,
crystal meth?
| |
Sometimes |
Always |
Never |
| Injection |
21% |
15% |
64% |
| Snorting |
52% |
31% |
16% |
| Smoking |
53% |
18% |
29% |
| Booty
bump |
49% |
1% |
49% |
- The majority
of people have never injected.
- If they
are non-injectors then they use all other methods (snorting, smoking,
booty bumping) equally.
- Those
who do inject typically do not use any other method.
- 100%
of those who injected reported themselves as HIV+.
- Injectors
were also more likely to be using the longest, 6+ years.
How
did you get started using?
| Introduced
by boyfriend |
17% |
| Tried
with friends |
36% |
| During
a circuit party |
8% |
| Introduced
by sexual partner |
20% |
| Someone
you just met |
11% |
| Others? |
7% |
- The largest
response (36%) was that individuals were introduced to crystal through
friends.
- The numbers
were almost identical when the data was divided up by methods of use.
How someone got started does not influence the method of use.
- The few
people who said "other" gave responses that would fall under
"friends". One person said that he was introduced through
a priest.
What
does using crystal meth do for you?
| Better
sex/easier to have sex |
69% |
| More
energy |
58% |
| More
social |
44% |
| Weight
loss |
30% |
| Get
more done |
26% |
| Feel
better about myself |
21% |
| Others? |
20% |
- Majority
of people, regardless of method of use, claim they use crystal for
sexual purposes (69%). This was followed closely by more energy (58%)
and to be more social (44%).
- Some
other reasons not included on the list were to "escape from life"
and "self-medication".
Which of
the following types of information would you be interested in learning
more about? (Check all that apply)
| Cutting
down or quitting meth |
45% |
| Support
groups |
32% |
| Treatment
programs |
28% |
| Paranoia,
depression, or anxiety |
22% |
| Health
risks/problems |
22% |
| Dental
care |
22% |
| Safer
using methods |
19% |
| Alternative
recreational activities |
19% |
| HIV/AIDS
prevention |
12% |
| STDs |
9% |
| Safer
sex methods |
6% |
| Needle
exchange |
3% |
| Hepatitis |
0% |
| Others? |
14% |
- Almost
one-half (45%) were interested in information about cutting down or
quitting meth.
- The next
two highest responses were both related to quitting or cutting down
use. Support groups (32%) and treatment programs (28%).
- HIV+
men were much more interested in cutting down or quitting than HIV-
men (63% vs. 25%).
- HIV-
men had more interest in topics such as HIV prevention, health risks,
and safer using methods.
How
do you want to get this information?
| Internet
sites |
65% |
| From
peers/other users |
53% |
| Flyers |
36% |
| 1-on-1
counseling sessions |
36% |
| Outreach
in public venues |
24% |
| Others? |
7% |
- The majority
of respondents would like to get information from the internet (65%).
- Over
half (53%) would be open to obtaining information from peers or other
users.
- One-third
of people say they would like to obtain information from flyers and
one-on-one counseling sessions.
What
are your biggest concerns regarding your use of crystal meth? (Check
all that apply)
| Health
problems |
59% |
| Legal
trouble |
48% |
| Money |
45% |
| Can't
stop |
40% |
| Getting
HIV |
17% |
| Paranoia |
12% |
| Passing
HIV |
5% |
| Others? |
19% |
- Over
half of men (59%) are concerned with health problems that result from
crystal. This seems to coincide with the responses given about what
information people would be interested in obtaining (cutting down
use, treatment programs, and support groups).
- 48% are
concerned with legal trouble and 45% with money issues. Almost half
(40%) are worried that they can't stop.
- HIV appears
to be a minimal concern among users (17%). Concerns about getting
HIV increases only slightly among HIV-negative men (23%).
What
types of media have you seen or heard about crystal meth? (Check all
that apply)
| Flyers |
63% |
| Television |
48% |
| Posters |
48% |
| Newspaper |
39% |
| Stickers |
32% |
| Others? |
28% |
- Flyers
were the most common form of media that individuals have seen regarding
meth (63%).
- About
half (48%) reported seeing information about meth on television and
posters.
- Although
people remember seeing flyers and posters, we did not ask if they
actually remember what they specifically saw.
What
don't you want to hear about?
| Why
you should quit |
50% |
| Why
people should not start |
40% |
| Safer
sex methods |
34% |
| Risks
for using |
26% |
| HIV
prevention |
24% |
| Health
risks |
11% |
| Others? |
18% |
- Interestingly,
50% of men said they do not want to hear about why they should quit.
This was followed closely by why people should not start (40%). Although
they do not want to be told why they should quit, previous questions
indicate that they have a strong interest in obtaining information
on how to quit. It is important to develop programs and campaigns
that present treatment/reduction options in a manner that does not
make individuals feel they are being told why they should quit, but
rather how to do it if they are interested.
Which
sexual role do you take most often when on crystal?
| Top |
21% |
| Bottom |
33% |
| Versatile |
46% |
- When
broken down by HIV status, HIV+ men were more likely to bottom (45%)
and HIV- men were more likely to be a top (40%).
Do
you take a different role when you are not high?
| Yes |
11% |
| No |
71% |
| Sometimes |
18% |
- HIV-
men were slightly more likely to take a different role when they were
not high (29%) and HIV+ men were slightly less likely to take a different
role (9%).
When
was your last HIV test?
| Less
than 6 months |
35% |
| 6 months
- 1 year |
11% |
| More
than 1 year |
45% |
| Don't
know/Never |
8% |
- Among
HIV- men, 54% have had a test within the last 6 months, 20% between
6 months and 1 year, and 20% more than 1 year.
What
is your HIV status?
| HIV+ |
48% |
| HIV- |
45% |
| Don't
Know |
7% |
- HIV status
was roughly equal with 48% HIV+ and 45% HIV-.
- As was
noted earlier, being HIV+ is related to length of drug use and also
method of using. Those who inject are more likely to be HIV+.
- The higher
the level of formal education the less likely to be HIV+.
If
HIV-positive, did you test positive before or after you started using
crystal meth?
| Before |
42% |
| After |
36% |
| Don't
know |
22% |
- Combined,
58% either tested positive after using crystal, or did not know.
- Injectors
were more likely (60%) to test positive before they started using
crystal.
With
the last 3 guys that fucked you, how many times did you use a condom?
| One |
5% |
| Two |
15% |
| Three |
23% |
| None |
57% |
- The majority
of men used no condoms with the last 3 people who fucked them.
- Among
HIV+ men 85% used no condoms with the last 3 people who fucked them.
- Among
HIV- there was some increased condom use. 33% used condoms twice,
33% used condoms all three times. Still, 26% did not use a condom
at all.
With
the last 3 guys that you fucked, how many times did you use a condoms?
| One |
9% |
| Two |
8% |
| Three |
19% |
| None |
64% |
- The majority
of men did not use condoms with the last 3 people they fucked.
- 85% of
HIV+ men did not use any condoms with the last 3 people they fucked.
- HIV-
men used condoms more often than HIV+ men, however when they were
the top they still did not use condoms 41% of the time. Only 25% used
a condom with all 3 of their last sexual partners.
Do
you think you practice safer sex?
| Yes |
45% |
| No |
45% |
| Don't
know |
10% |
- People
who said they practiced safer sex were, in fact, practicing safer
sex. 64% were HIV- and 27% were HIV+. 50% had tested for HIV within
the last 6 months. 45% used a condom with all 3 of their last partners.
- People
who said they did not practice safer sex were more likely to have
HIV (65% vs. 31% HIV-negative). 60% had not had an HIV test within
the last year. 93% used no condoms with their last 3 sexual partners.
- It appears
that people who think they practice safer sex are actually practicing
safer sex. There is no difference among people in terms of age, race,
method of drug use, length of drug use, income level, or education.
In
what ways do you practice safer sex? (Check all that apply)
| Use
condoms |
54% |
| Sex
with same status partner |
50% |
| Don't
let someone cum in me |
36% |
| Pulling
out |
36% |
| Use
lube |
36% |
| Non-anal
sex |
24% |
| Being
a top |
16% |
| Using
fingers/toys |
14% |
| Dental
dams |
0% |
| Other? |
9% |
- People
reported using condoms and sex with same status partner as their most
frequent means of practicing safer sex.
- Using
condoms was the method used by individuals who were HIV- and believed
they practiced safer sex.
- Sex with
same status partner was the answer most often given by HIV+ men and
those who did not think they practiced safer sex
How
do you feel about your sexual behavior?
For
those who answered "Yes" to practicing safer sex:
- non-existent??
but outside of that, provocatively promiscuous
- i feel
alright with it
- just
fine
- I feel
I am practicing safer sex
- pretty
good about it
- love
it, can't get enough
- fine
- Am very
careful about who I play with and what I will do with them
- I feel
like I am addicted to anonymous sex, and that drugs are a facilitator
to a larger problem.
- I've
been sexually active with men for 14 years... the precautions that
I've taken haven't changed much over those years. seems to work well
for me
- it isn't
what i thought it would be when i had morals...lol
- Overly
cautious
- Great
- I don't
have much sex and what I do have is very safe. Always use condoms
when getting fucked.
- From
a perfectly rational perspective, I feel that it is currently very
safe. I rarely engage in anal sex; even when I do, I use condoms and
am not always the bottom. I do not have sex with those who are willing
to share that they are HIV+. For logistical reasons, I have not been
able to find time for an HIV test. To be fair, that lack of time issue
also plays out elsewhere in my sexual life: I don't have enough time
for frequent sex anyway. I must say, however, that when I have used
crystal meth, I have been far more paranoid about my chances of being
HIV+ than at other times.
- I am
extremely comfortable with my own personal sexual behavior, being
HIV+ for 24 years, I know what is and isn't safe. With or without
meth use! I am very healthy and very happy, and have awesome CD4 count
(694) and have been undetectable for the last 5-6 years. I make visits
to my Dr every 3 months!
- i would
rather have a steady partner
- I'm fine
with it. I left a few questions blank, because in 3 years, I've only
been fucked once on crystal (the crystal had nothing to do with it),
and I've never fucked anyone else while on it. My crystal use has
been exclusively (with the ONE exception noted above) to enhance porn
and masturbation with another guy.
- I am
very comfortable with myself and have been hiv+ for 24 years am very
healthy and have excellent numbers. I only use meth when i am going
out for the night as it does increase my energy. I have used all of
my life and as I stated earlier I do it, it doesn't do me!
- Don't
really have one. at this time was dating someone for 4yr that was
my partner only one. not having sex at this time yet.
For
those who answered "No" or "Don't know" if they
practice safer sex:
- it is
satisfying
- somewhat
guilty
- I need
to conform to safe practices and I currently do not. I need to use
less drugs
- Non promiscuous,
yet sexually active. I don't have sex w/ anyone I don't trust.
- I am
comfortable with my sex practices
- Conflicted
- I feel
I should practice safe sex
- not sure
- I pretty
much don't have sex right now. Have been reducing my use of crystal;
I'd say it's been over 6 weeks since the last time. I prefer bareback
because I'm already positive and willing to take whatever risks that
involves
- not really
active at the moment
- It's
risky. I definitely need a slap in the face...
- I only
play with other hiv+ guys and don't cum inside my partners
- I don't
have a problem with it. I figure that anyone who has raw/bb sex should
figure that everyone is HIV+ & do what they feel most comfortable
doing.
- I feel
I need to be more responsible toward my friends and/or sex partners,
despite how I may feel about myself and the personal choices I make.
- ech...
- I know
that bottoming bareback is inherently risky, but I don't want to spend
my most intimate moments covered in latex.
- I HAVE
NO STRONGLY NEGATIVE FEELING ABOUT IT.
- If I
become positive along the way, so be it. I know the risks and have
made the choice to party once or twice a month. When partying or not
I still choose to top without condoms. Why? Tired of being safe. there
seemed to be more stress around testing and status when I was playing
safe. Now that stress is gone and it works well for me.
- Not really
an issue. I have been poz for 21 years. I only fuck with poz guys
- Bad
- ?
- inadequate
Have
you heard of?
Have
you tried to use their services?
What
services have you used?
Where
did you have your last HIV test?
| Private
Doctor |
49% |
| STD
Clinic (Harborview) |
34% |
| Gay
City |
3% |
| POCAAN
(mobile unit) |
2% |
| Bathhouse |
0% |
| Others? |
12% |
What
is your current living situation?
| I own
my home |
24% |
| I
rent |
59% |
| Live
w/ family member |
6% |
| Couch
surfing |
7% |
| Other |
4% |
BACK