World AIDS Day 2024: Let there be love!

If you have HIV, it shouldn’t stop you having great sex and great relationships, although there may be some bumps along the way.

“Hectic” is how Doreen from Kenya describes dating as a young woman with HIV. In our new video, she describes one encounter when she told a guy she was seeing about her HIV status. She explained she was taking her treatment and was virally undetectable, so she could not pass HIV on. He invited her for a sleepover and her hopes rose, but nothing happened. A few days later she got the text that we all dread: he thought she was amazing – but he could not “look past” her HIV status.

Luckily Doreen found the strength to move on.

“I just said it’s my responsibility to accept myself, love myself, and the people who want to love me, we are good. The people who don't, I have to let them go as they're not supposed to be part of my life.”

Sharing is caring

It can really help to hear from people who have gone through similar things to you, and hear how they’ve made it through. People sharing their stories can help you to tap into your inner strength, even if you struggle to believe it’s there.

That’s why we share real stories from young people who have HIV on Be in the Know. Each of these young people has had knock-backs, especially when it comes to dating, but they’ve learned how to bounce back. And they have reaped the benefits of doing so.

“My friends still look at me the same and my partner loves me unconditionally and supports me wholeheartedly. He isn’t ashamed of my status, and neither am I,” says Sipho, who told us his story.

“I’ve learned that I am not my status, but the man I make myself into every day. I am not just HIV-positive…I am me."

Knowledge is power

When it comes to HIV, sex and relationships, knowledge is power. Knowing the facts will help you have safer and more satisfying interactions, whether you’re looking for long-term love or great sex.

In our living with HIV section, you can find all the information you need to understand your status if you have HIV and how to share it with a partner, if you want to.

You can hear from other young people with HIV about how they have dealt with having sex and relationships, including sharing their status. On our I have HIV, can I have sex? page there’s advice on what to do if you or your partner has HIV and you want to get it on, including how to stop HIV being passed on. There are also pages on different contraception options for people with HIV, plus the low-down on starting a family.

Elsewhere, you’ll find tips to help you keep taking your HIV treatment, looking after your health and dealing with HIV stigma. Plus stories of how other people with HIV look after their health, both physical and mental.

It’s all about love

“Love yourself and never give up” is Ricardo’s advice. He shared his story with us after being diagnosed with HIV on World AIDS Day eight years ago and experienced almost crushing self-stigma, something he has now overcome.

As we celebrate love this World AIDS Day, we couldn’t think of a more fitting message. So arm yourself with the facts, and feel the love of all those people living with HIV around the world today, and the friends, families and allies who support them. And know that you too can live a life as full and as satisfying as anyone else.