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HIV Prevention Beyond ARVs

The recent wave of jokes about practicing safe sex due to US foreign aid cuts is not only insensitive but also dangerous. HIV prevention should never be conditional on the availability of antiretroviral (ARV) medication. Safe sex is a responsibility—to ourselves, to our partners, and to the wider community. Here’s why:

 1. Children Are Born HIV Positive—They Didn’t Choose This

Thousands of children are born HIV-positive due to mother-to-child transmission. These infants have no say in theirsick baby girl cartoon circumstances, yet they must live with the lifelong consequences. Choosing to engage in unsafe sex out of recklessness only contributes to the growing number of people living with HIV, many of whom struggle with access to treatment.

2. Not Everyone Has Access to ARVs

While ARVs have transformed HIV from a death sentence to a manageable condition, not everyone can access them. Stockouts, funding cuts, and healthcare barriers mean that many people—especially in marginalized communities—go without medication. Your decision to be irresponsible could add another person to the already overwhelmed healthcare system, leaving others without the drugs they desperately need.

3. The Harsh Reality of ARV Side Effects

Taking ARVs is not a walk in the park. Many patients experience:

  • Chronic fatigue and nausea
  • Severe headaches and insomnia
  • Liver and kidney complications
  • Lipodystrophy (body fat redistribution)

No one should have to endure these side effects if they can prevent HIV transmission in the first place.

4. The Emotional Toll and Stigma in the Queer Community

For many in the LBQ community, being HIV-positive comes with a double burden—living with the virus and facing discrimination. Stigma within healthcare settings, rejection from partners, and even ostracization from family and friends make it even harder to navigate life post-diagnosis. This emotional turmoil can lead to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation. No one should have to endure this pain because of someone else’s recklessness.

5. Safe Sex is Public Health 101colorful rainbow condoms

Beyond HIV, practicing safe sex protects against:

  • Other STIs like syphilis, gonorrhea, and HPV
  • Unintended pregnancies
  • Drug-resistant HIV strains

Public health is not just about personal choices—it’s about collective responsibility. The more people engage in safe sex, the lower the transmission rates and the healthier our communities remain.

woman with her hand raised infront of her face,palm facing out saying stop6. Prevention is Cheaper and More Effective Than Treatment

The cost of treating HIV is far greater than the cost of preventing it. Condoms, PrEP, and regular testing are far more sustainable than relying on ARVs, which require lifelong adherence and are subject to external funding cuts. Prevention saves lives, reduces strain on healthcare systems, and ensures better quality of life for all.

The Bottom Line: Safe Sex Always Matters

Regardless of ARV availability, safe sex should always be a priority. HIV is not a joke. It’s a reality that millions live with, and irresponsible behavior only worsens the crisis. Choose responsibility. Choose protection. Choose a future free from unnecessary infections.

Want to learn more? Check out our website for Get Fact Up, a comic that busts myths and misconceptions around HIV and LBQ persons.

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