Anxiety is often spoken about as if it exists in isolation, a feeling of unease that rises without cause. But for many, anxiety is deeply
As political landscapes across the globe become increasingly polarised, the LGBTQ+ community finds itself once again cast into the role of an all-too-convenient scapegoat. In
If you’re a gay man who has ever felt isolated, you’re not alone. In fact, social isolation is a quiet but prevalent issue within the
In the relentless pace of modern life, stress has become an uninvited companion, shaping our health in profound ways. Many of us experience stress as
Everyone can agree sustaining connections during the coronavirus pandemic has become harder. But I’ve particularly enjoyed participating in Positively UK’s Gay Men’s Group – a
Click here to watch Chris’s episode with Dick and Angel
In this 2 part discussion, we explore the stigma surrounding being diagnosed HIV positive in an interview with Chris O’Hanlon and Academic Head of the
Date: Monday 20 Nov 2017 10:12 pm
‘I’m often asked on dating apps if I’m clean. I reply “yes I shower daily”’.
Chris O’Hanlon can talk about his HIV status with good humour now – knowing that effective treatment means he can’t pass on the virus. The main challenge he’s now facing is outdated attitudes from other people.
‘There is still so much stigma out there that needs confronting, especially in the gay community,’ he said. I’ve been told to get lost and die when I’ve told people I am HIV positive, because they think I’m spreading HIV. Some people also say they don’t date or sleep with people ‘like me’, to which my response is ‘that you know of’,’ the clinical hypnotherapist and personal trainer from Luton said. The truth is they may have slept with people who have HIV and don’t know it or even guys who know their status but haven’t said for fear of rejection, because there are a lot of gay men who remain undiagnosed. It’s common that you get blocked or people stop talking to you because you tell them you have HIV, Some of this is ignorance and fear.’
