concludes.
Discordant heterosexual relationships may have
additional problems. Children - both positive or negative - may be involved,
which brings the issue of disclosure and concealment of HIV status right
into the heart of the family. Most parents have to think very carefully
about when to tell their children. Others may struggle with whether to
have children or not.
Many heterosexuals are also less likely to be living in a community familiar
with HIV, which may add to the burden of isolation. Again, the HIV negative
partner may feel
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this particularly keenly.
DAVID & ALAN
David, 53, and Alan, 38 (left), have been together for seven years. Two
years ago they moved from London to Brighton, after David retired from
a career in sales and marketing and Alan left a career in IT to study
massage. When they met, David immediately told Alan that he was HIV positive.
Alan took the news in his stride. "I lived pretty much in a positive
world," he says. "It was never really an issue for me. When
I met David it was about the person regardless of status. It was automatic
that if he was to fall ill, I would look after him. It stays the same
now."
"It was a brilliant day the day I met Alan. We fell in love instantly
and we're inseparable," says David. "And it
made me very secure that I would never die
Photo: Gordon Rainsford
