STUFF & THINGS BY JON TAYLOR

My two cents

And so, the HIV issue rolls around again. Seems to happen earlier every year. Or is that Christmas? Anyway. I never know what to write on HIV. What can you say that’s not been said before? Do I have HIV? No. Do I know people who do? Yes. Are any of them close friends? Not really. Do I know anyone who has died as a direct or indirect result? No. Do I know what PrEP is and what undetectable means? Yes. Do I practise safe sex? Not always. Do I get tested regularly for it? Yes. I expect that these answers apply to lots of gay men. HIV has never properly entered my day-to-day life and so, as a result, it’s never really been front and centre in my mind.

I remember talking to the pastor of the church about liking men and asking for his advice. He responded by saying that I liked looking at pictures of blokes with muscles because I hadn’t got any muscles (there’s a lovely thing to hear)

I think a reason for this is that I came out late and things had improved markedly by then in the discussion and prevention of it. I came out in my early thirties so we were well into the new millennium by then. I’d been meeting up with guys before I came out but I’d been scared of doing so. Not because of HIV and Aids but because I’d been part of an evangelical church for about 10 years and being gay was not approved of. In fact, it was thoroughly discouraged. I remember talking to the pastor of the church about liking men and asking for his advice. He responded by saying that I liked looking at pictures of blokes with muscles because I hadn’t got any muscles (there’s a lovely thing to hear) and wanted to look like those that did. And that was it.

He’d solved the ‘issue’ of Jon’s potential gayness. It was never mentioned again. Such a caring and empathetic guy! So, by the time I’d escaped the church and had officially stepped into the World of Gay you couldn’t move for having condoms thrown at you while you sat and had a pint and I didn’t bat an eyelid about using them. And that was that. The only other way that HIV pops up in my life is the World Aids Day concert that my Chorus takes part in along with the other Brighton choirs. I say that, but I’ve not been to the last few. I guess I feel a bit hypocritical about attending and singing when the day itself doesn’t really have much significance for me. There are others for whom it’s an important event but for me it’s not so I leave it for those for whom it’s got meaning. Plus, the mulled wine is rather expensive! And that’s it really for HIV and me. I guess if there was a ‘Worldwide Day For Those Wanting To Get Back At A Dick Of A Pastor’ I’d be an enthusiastic attendee. Plus, as it would be a church event, there’d be tea and biscuits. Cup of tea and I’m anybody’s!

Jon Taylor