About Staying Negative

Staying Negative aims to emotionally engage, inspire and facilitate imagination in sexual health practices. The campaign profiles the real life stories of gay, bisexual and trans men who have sex with men (MSM). Men talk about all aspects of their life from coming out, relationships, sexuality and a broad range of other topics. While HIV and safe sex is an important part of all stories, it is not the exclusive focus.

Prior HIV prevention campaigns have traditionally focused on providing gay men with information that will encourage them to adopt safe sex behaviours. In reality, safe sex practices are influenced by a whole range of environmental and cultural factors. The campaign also provides an opportunity for HIV positive men to talk about their lives and discuss how their strategies to staying HIV negative were not successful. We understand that there is more than one way practice safe sex and adopt healthcare seeking behaviours, so let's be creative about it!

There are no real criteria for participants other than that they are MSM and happy to have their stories appear as part of the campaign. In addition to the personal stories, the website provides information on HIV/AIDS, sexual health, relationships and broad of the other relevant topics including domestic violence, drugs and alcohol and depression.

111 stories
I was horribly bullied in the first two years of high school we had to get the police involved.
Antek

Read the Story

I created a diva rock star persona that would shell my insecurities
Stephen C

Read the Story

I groomed myself to sit and talk a certain way. I repressed the flamboyant sides of my personality.
Louis

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I ended up contracting HIV from going to a sauna.
Shane

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End HIV transmission by 2020? PrEP is a very important part of that.
Steven Spencer

Read the Story

Staying Negative is where everyday gay and bisexual guys, including trans guys, both HIV-negative and HIV-positive, share their personal stories. Most of the guys live in (but not limited to...) Melbourne.

Tell us your story

Tell us your story

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Come and tell us your story! We would love to hear from you! If you want to find out a little more about how it all works, give Jessie a call at VAC on (03) 9865 6700, or email staying.negative@vac.org.au