​Living Outside the Box: My Journey of Discovery and Empowerment

In smaller, conservative communities like Peekskill, NY, even with a visible liberal population, misconceptions about HIV still persist.

Lately, I’ve been stepping outside the box—exploring ideas I’ve considered but never tried myself. One of those new ventures involves joining a focus group dedicated to engaging, educating, and protecting one another. It’s not just about personal growth; it’s about fostering a supportive community.

Despite progress in HIV awareness, the stigma surrounding the virus is still prevalent—especially in smaller, conservative areas like Peekskill, NY. In places like New York City, San Francisco, and Provincetown, misconceptions about HIV transmission have largely faded. But here, some people still believe the virus can be spread through saliva or casual touch—despite clear evidence that HIV is primarily transmitted through unprotected sexual contact.

One of the key topics that has caught my attention in this group is PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)—a medication that prevents HIV-negative individuals from contracting the virus. I initially thought PrEP worked like condoms—that you simply take a pill right before intimacy with an HIV-positive partner. But I’ve since learned that it’s actually a prescribed medication taken consistently for effective prevention. There are different versions, including one specifically for women, but in all cases, individuals must be HIV-negative and obtain a prescription for PrEP to work as intended.

Encouragingly, advances in HIV treatment have made it possible for HIV-positive individuals on medication to maintain an undetectable viral load, meaning the virus cannot be transmitted to a partner. While this reduces the necessity of condoms in some cases, safer sex practices remain an important consideration for overall sexual health.
​
This journey of learning and participation has been eye-opening for me, and I’m embracing my role in these conversations like never before. Stepping outside my comfort zone has led to discoveries I never expected—and that’s a good thing.