May I just take this opportunity to say how much I admire your magazine. I
have found it very helpful over the years I have lived with HIV. It is interesting,
informative, and offers all the support we could want. So from a person living
with HIV, I say thank you for all our community.
Andrew, North Midlands
Just a wee note to thank your magazine for bringing some light into my world.
It is always an enjoyable read and special thanks to Sam Cotton for his witty
column. I particularly enjoyed his recent article ''Cybersex and the City''.
Craig, London
I was reminded the other day by Tower Hamlets Council that my disabled Taxicard
should not be used for hospital appointments. This is the only restriction: Taxicards
can be used for the journey from hospital. The council say this restriction is
because the hospital provide ambulances to pick up patients and that we should
use these.
When I asked my hospital I found I would not fit their criteria. The advice was
to make my own way to the hospital! We all know that we can work round this silly
restriction, but why should we have to?
On a second point concerning Taxicard, does any one else get frustrated at some
cab drivers not knowing discounted fares, and expecting a tip when this is included
in the subsidy from the council? I suggest all those that have Taxicard get clued
up on the fares so that you do not get overcharged.
Gary, London E1
With regard to 'Jason Gould comes out as HIV positive' (PN 89, page 12): Jason
Gould has not 'come out'. 'Come out' connotes an act of free will that has not
been exercised. Mr Gould has not spoken publicly about his health.
'Outing' is more like what has been done to Mr Gould. It has not been corroborated
by evidence or first-hand account. This is a heinous and inhumane act. The 'press'
to which you refer are of the tabloid variety and unworthy of the appellation
'the press'. There was one item in the National Enquirer, on which all of the
UK reportage is based. No disinterested, fair, responsible news agency has reported
the story in question.
Until or unless someone discloses his or her medical status, I would make no assumption
based on a disreputable report. Disclosure aside, any individual presented with
such a health threat is entitled to whatever time it might take to integrate and
accept the information, particularly in the case of someone who has not sought
and does not seek public attention.
You have focused on the child of an international celebrity. The celebrity made
an individual choice to seek a career in the spotlight. Whatever the career choices
of the child, the child never asked to be born into the spotlight.
Oh and by the way, Mr. Gould is 36 years old, not 38.
Billy, USA, by email
I just got May's copy of the magazine with the long-term survivors' stories.
I am a Spanish woman, aged 38, have been positive for probably 14 years, 10 of
those diagnosed. It will be redundant to say how much you guys have improved my
life, my knowledge, and how many times you have touched my heart with the stories
you write in the six years I have been reading PN.
I am also a long-term survivor of the drugs culture, having tried 18 different
HIV drugs. They work, but I get terrible side effects: nausea and vomiting that
last up to two days at a time. It's been like this since I started taking them
in 1996; I've got hepatitis C too and it's a drug toxicity problem. I don't really
know how I cope, other than having a wonderful partner and being a strong character.
Even so, sometimes I don't know where to hide. I wonder if somebody out there
can help or is in the same situation?
Laura Marcitllach, London EC1 pinkorange@blueyonder.co.uk
I recently went to Chariot's Roman Spa at Shoreditch. This establishment is
allowing unsafe sex. The posters about multiple partners and anal sex are ignored.
The condoms - in small dispensers along darkened corridors - are not generally
used. The hypnotic heat, the scent of steam, the porn movie parlour, all encourage
dangerous risk-taking. Cruising may be part of the gay scene, but it can be fatal.
No condom, no sex!
Z Ibrahimi, by email
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all at Positive Nation for their
ability to keep such a fantastic monthly periodical fantastic! Its been beneficial
to me in the past so it must therefore help and be beneficial to others. Thank
you.
I G Duncan, by email
BBC Television is making an innovative documentary series about living with
HIV.
We are charting the history and science of the virus from the 1980s to the present
day through real people's stories and would like to hear from you.
At this stage we just want to talk, and can guarantee confidentiality. There is
no obligation to appear in the documentary, we just want to hear your story.
For more information please contact
Debbie Hartley, 020 8752 4714 debbie.hartley@bbc.co.uk
and Andy Robbins, 020 8752 4525 andy.robbins@bbc.co.uk
