G-A-Y founder has HIV test to raise awareness
G-A-Y founder Jeremy Joseph is shown having an HIV test and discovering the results in a photo diary for Boyz magazine.
The promoter said he took the test publicly to raise awareness of safer sex information for gay men.
In last week’s magazine, he was shown visiting Soho clinic 56 Dean Street and having a finger prick test, which gives results in just two minutes.
He is told by health advisor Richard Stack that the new tests look for the antibodies produced by the body against HIV. The tests are 99 per cent accurate, but a second, 20-minute test can be taken to rule out a false positive result.
Mr Joseph revealed his negative result in this week’s magazine, saying: “I can’t believe how quick and easy it’s all been.”
He had promised to be honest about his results, whatever the outcome, saying it would be hypocritical not to.
When asked by PinkNews.co.uk if he thought there was enough information about HIV tests for gay men, he said: “No, hence the reason for doing this article, by taking my HIV test.
“I didn’t even know that you could get a result that quickly. We need to remember that every year, a new generation of lesbians and gay men come on to the gay scene and if they aren’t getting the education at school, then the gay scene is a direct contact to lesbians and gay men, to try and get safer sex advice across.”
He added: “I’ve learned so much from doing this, so hopefully by doing this, I can get across what I’ve learned. You can never have to much safer sex information.”
Mr Joseph is aiming to raise £50,000 for the Elton John AIDS Foundation this year and hit the £35,000 mark today.
He is to run the Virgin London Marathon in April. Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/G-A-Y
