John Sovec - Psychotherapy

Take a look at any magazine targeting the gay male market and what will you find on the cover?  You will find eternally youthful sultry men with perfectly sculpted, hairless bodies who owe as much to the industry’s photo retouchers as they do to their personal trainers. Looking at these glaring moody images, it seems that these models’ only care is to remind you how unattainable they are.

Remember back when you were in High School and the time came when your schedule would finally include that intriguing and informative health class, the one that your parents had to sign a special release waiver for you to attend? You know the one, the Sex Ed. class. This class is generally a source of mingled nervousness, embarrassment and curiosity, a combination of emotions most often expressed through much giggling, blushing and teasing.

So imagine what it might be like experiencing this class as a gay teen who may not be open or even understand about their sexuality yet.

As an educator and an advocate in the HIV/AIDS community I am often asked “Is AIDS still with us?” This question usually arises after the latest television story or news report about the newest treatments for HIV positive people.

According to the Center for Disease Control, the answer to that question is yes; the disease is still with us with over one million reported cases of people living with HIV in the United States alone. Worldwide the numbers become more staggering with UNAIDS estimating over 31 million people who have contracted HIV.