A Guy Named Joe

In the POZ.com article, “Meet the Man Who Got HIV While on Daily PrEP” (March 3, 2016), Trenton Straube interviewed Joe, the individual who seroconverted while taking daily Truvada as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). To read his story, turn to page 36.

Well written, Trenton. Joe’s honesty about his sex practices is refreshing. And it’s good to see he is not shaming anyone, but owning his decision—without shame!

Ed Barron

Great article, but the real story we need covered is this: If you take PrEP as prescribed, it prevents infection. The controversy no one is talking about is how many people are not taking it as prescribed, not able to be consistent and who don’t use the tools to miss the fewest doses possible. Most folks can’t adhere to a daily regimen, which is why uptake is so sparse. I’m not an anti-PrEPer, nor am I a PrEPaholic, but I see this as the divide between two sides.

Wonkabear

PrEP treatment has obviously done very well, clinically, but the treatment can fail when you push the limits and practically inject the virus into yourself. Don’t take this out of context; what I’m referring to is how unsafe sex in any form can be harmful to your health. Because one young man became positive does not mean that Truvada is not useful as a preventive measure for the vast part of the global population. Nothing should be thought of as 100 percent.

Troyde

Kudos to Joe. Glad the outcome brought more positive things to his life than just a positive diagnosis. I am on PrEP, and I know there is no guarantee to staying HIV negative on the meds. I feel safer since I have sex and bareback sometimes with HIV-negative and HIV-positive men. It is a shame this “discreet” person is obviously the culprit. I hope I never meet him. Hopefully he does not spread it to more men who are trying to take care of themselves. If he does, he should be brought to justice for his deplorable actions.

Not a tongue biter

Remember PrEP is meant to be used in conjunction with condoms. I mean the person even said he stopped using condoms. I mean…duh.

Bryan Lassiter

Safe sex is just as “unnatural” as a pill. Yes, the risk is there, but the risk is there with or without condoms, which are also not 100 percent effective. Of the two, condoms are less effective, actually. I think making calculated decisions is exactly what we need, not the scare tactics we’ve become so used to. Sex should not be treated as scary. I think the reason people are so risky in the first place is because we don’t respect the gray areas.

Omelio Alexander

The Joker

The POZ.com article “The Whole Cinema Clapped When Donald Trump Got AIDS” (March 4, 2016) described the scene in Sacha Baron Cohen’s new comedy, The Brothers Grimsby, in which Donald Trump contracts HIV. Readers were divided as to whether or not the joke was funny.

It’s sad that people would be happy that Trump got AIDS, but in their tiny little brains they just think it means a death sentence. I feel sorry for their ignorance. It’s also disturbing that they wish to inflict harm upon the mentally challenged Donald Trump. Parodies are meant to offend someone. I am HIV positive. I have a sense of humor. Some people need to calm down and enjoy the life that is before them.

Dave Browne

Sacha Baron Cohen is a brilliantly talented demagogue, and his success very coldly underlines the hypocrisy in all political correctness. Why be surprised that AIDS jokes follow? Cohen has continuously trafficked in all of these tropes as Borat, Bruno and Ali G...no surprises here.

Jeton Ademaj

So not offended. I am HIV positive, and I get Sacha’s joke…frankly, it’s brilliant.

Carlton Rounds

It’s offensive that Cohen would spread stigma, ignorance and fear about HIV in 2016.

Rick Guasco

The movie sounds really dumb. How is it funny watching someone get HIV? Even if you don’t like Trump, it’s not OK to wish the virus on anyone.

MSKIMB

I loathe Trump. But this isn’t funny, nor witty, nor clever.

Cyd Tyger Connor