dating/relationships

Gerome, age 51 / Abbotsford, Australia

December 15, 2014 by admin

I think that my story is personal, it’s unique, and it is not tragic. And, I think it’s something that is probably a little bit different from other people’s stories, because I took it more as a relief that I don’t have to fear HIV anymore. I don’t have to – there was no fear […]

Categories: Age 50-54, Asia-Pacific, Male • Tags: Australia, celibacy, dating/relationships, disclosure, faith/spirituality, family, fear of transmission, France, Healthcare access, homophobia, love, Philippines, pre/post-test counseling, Recent diagnosis, relief, serodiscordant couple, sex/sexuality, stigma, Tanzania, treatment access, Viral load/”undetectable”

Jane, age 57 / Auckland, New Zealand

December 10, 2014 by admin

Sometimes, I allow myself to have a wallow day. But it doesn’t happen much now. It used to happen. I cried a lot in the first years. I find now that it’s very difficult to cry. I seem to have hardened quite a lot. And I guess it’s just about, you know, you see a […]

Categories: Age 55-59, Asia-Pacific, Female • Tags: AZT/early medications, children/parenthood, dating/relationships, denial, disclosure, family, grandchildren, grief/loss, helping others, insecurity, isolation/loneliness, Lipodystrophy, moving home, New Zealand, positive partners, weight/body image, Work/Career

Suzanne, age 59 / Melbourne, Australia

December 1, 2014 by admin

I first learned that I was HIV-positive in a letter from a doctor. I’d been working in a little hospital in rural Africa, but I had to go away somewhere else to find a GP to take my blood, because there was just the risk of too much scrutiny, and confidentiality – I didn’t feel […]

Categories: Age 55-59, Asia-Pacific, Female • Tags: Australia, children/parenthood, China, dating/relationships, disclosure, family, healthcare professional, HIV & the law, HIV/AIDS community dynamics, HIV/AIDS education, Immigration, pre/post-test counseling, support, Zimbabwe

Deloris, age 54 / New Jersey, “Jamerican” (USA & Jamaica)

December 1, 2014 by admin

I am very fortunate. I’ve been able to educate myself to the graduate level. I hold down a really decent job. I make, in nonprofit, nonprofit-decent money. (Laughs) That’s a disclaimer. I think to live with HIV you have to have a lot of support. And if they’re not coming from your family? You have […]

Categories: Age 50-54, Female, North America • Tags: Art/creativity, children/parenthood, companionship, dating/relationships, faith/spirituality, fear, grandchildren, HIV/AIDS education, isolation/loneliness, Jamaica, keeping busy, support, trauma, United States, Work/Career, working in HIV/AIDS community

Bill, age 64 / Cairns, Australia

December 1, 2014 by admin

It’s very difficult to meet positive people, because mostly, they’re still too afraid to come out and disclose their status to almost anyone. And I really would like to have a positive partner. I don’t ever want to infect anyone with this thing – because although it’s not a death sentence anymore, it still is […]

Categories: Age 60-64, Asia-Pacific, Male • Tags: Australia, children/parenthood, companionship, dating/relationships, disclosure, family, fear of transmission, libido, love, married/life partner(s), positive partners, stigma, support

The Graying of AIDS

Stories From An Aging Pandemic

image Archives

Gerome, age 51 / Abbotsford, Australia

Jane, age 57 / Auckland, New Zealand

Suzanne, age 59 / Melbourne, Australia

Deloris, age 54 / New Jersey, “Jamerican” (USA & Jamaica)

Bill, age 64 / Cairns, Australia