This article was published on July 15th, 2015
Conversations about safer sex are not new to the gay community. For decades the gay men have feared HIV. We’ve been told that condoms and abstinence are the best methods to protect yourself from the virus. But what people are struggling with are other methods of safer sex practices that can reduce the risk of contracting HIV or other STI’s. Yes, condoms do a wonderful job, but there are plenty of other methods.
Knowing your HIV status is the most important tool that people should be aware of. Getting tested regularly should be part of your quarterly health routine. If you have sex with multiple partners or frequently, it’s good to talk to your health professional about a testing schedule that is appropriate for you.
“If you have HIV positive or negative, you need to get tested,” said gay porn actor, Theo Ford. “It’s fear. You need to get over it. It’s your life, and your partner’s life.”
Adult entertainers are at higher risk because they have multiple sex partners, who also have multiple sex partners. Their risk is exponentially amplified compared to the average person. Most porn actors are extremely responsible about their sexual health, and Theo Ford is a great example.
“When I shot a handful of condomless scenes I did not realize that people weren’t getting tested as frequently as I thought,” Theo Ford explained. “I should have been more careful. I don’t regret it. Models need to be aware of their status. Some studios don’t even check the test results or ask for them. They haven’t checked anything. If they didn’t check my results, then they probably weren’t checking others. It was at that point I realized I would never do any more bareback scenes.”
When working in adult entertainment, it’s ultimately the models decision to what they will or will not do, and also their responsibility to ensure their testing is up-to-date. The same should be applied to the average person; you need to be in control and responsible for your own sexual health and actions.
“When you work with people and you have their health in your hands you have to make sure everything is as safe and secure as possible,” said Theo Ford. “Some people are very verbal about PrEP, and it’s obviously something I would strongly recommend.”
PrEP does not replace the use of condoms. It’s an added layer of protection to reduce your risk of HIV. Truvada as PrEP should be used as part of a complete safer sex toolkit. To find out if PrEP is right for you, talk to your health care provider.
Theo Ford, like many others in the adult entertainment and sexual health industries, believe that anything you can do to reduce your risk of HIV is a step in the right direction.
“There’s not small step against HIV prevention,” said Theo Ford. “Safer sex is something we should all do. Get informed.”
For more information about Truvada as pre-exposure prophylaxis, also known as PrEP, read these articles:
