Let’s get into the basics. What is HIV? How does it affect a person’s health? What can you do about it?

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is not the same thing as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (or AIDS). HIV is an infection, and when left untreated, HIV infection can gradually make the body worse at fighting other infections or diseases that a healthy immune system would usually be able to fight.

It is important to consider what behaviors put you at risk of getting or passing along HIV, and what methods you want to use to keep yourself and your partner(s) safe.

Because of the community work and research done by queer and trans folks and their allies HIV is no longer the death sentence that it once was. Take a look through this section to learn about HIV, HIV prevention, HIV treatment, and to get equipped to support yourself, or the folks in your life who may be HIV positive.

This section was adapted, with permission, from The Sex You Want Website.
*disclaimer: we do not necessarily endorse all of the information, content, or language used in these references