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About This Episode
This episode explores the experiences of heterosexual men living with HIV, through the personal stories of two men diagnosed in very different eras.
Featuring:
Donal and Ian, who reflect on their diagnosis journeys, the impact of stigma, and how attitudes toward HIV have changed over time.
Together, they discuss key ongoing themes:
- How HIV treatment and public understanding have evolved from the 1990s to today
- The lasting impact of self-stigma and fear following diagnosis
- The importance of the U=U message – that is “undetectable HIV is untransmittable”
- Barriers to testing and the risks of late diagnosis
- Navigating dating, intimacy, and relationships while living with HIV
- How culture, religion, and community attitudes can shape people’s experiences of stigma
- Why open conversations and greater awareness are essential to ending misinformation
Their intergenerational conversation highlights both the progress that has been made and the challenges that remain. It shows how misinformation and stigma still affect confidence, relationships, and testing, while also offering a hopeful message about support, openness, and living well with HIV.
This is a valuable listen for anyone working in public health, HIV care, sexual health, peer support, community engagement, or stigma reduction.
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