#showyourpill

The most recent data I can find online says that 136,000 people were on PrEP in August 2017. (Source poz.com) The website further says that “PrEP use remains largely limited to white men 25 and older, meaning groups at the very highest risk of HIV are likely not benefiting.”

Considering that Truvada has been available in the USA since 2012, those numbers are really small, yet, a lot of the profiles on hookup apps say they are on negative and PrEP. Makes me wonder how many people are lying about the medication just to have raw sex.

Let’s get down to honest basics here... Many on PrEP are having raw sex without any worry about the other common STIs because they are treatable or manageable.

If you are not on PrEP then you must engage in safe sexual practices if you want to protect yourself. You have to take precautions whether you are a bottom or a top.

Safe sex practices often get thrown to the wind when you are in deep dom/sub/pup headapace. In those scenarios our critical thought is replaced with in-the-moment urges that tell us not to worry. To be honest, I was fearful of my sub headapace. Before I started taking PrEP there were a few times then I dropped down into it and sub headspace and was the center of attention in saunas and back rooms in France. It only happened a handful of times and they are all burned into my memory as some of my hottest group sex moments... perhaps because they were also something high risk that I safely walked away from.

When I say “handful” I mean it was probably 5 but certainly not more than 10 times. Prior to going on PrEP I didn’t bottom for many guys other than my husband (he and I have always gone raw since our early dates), simply because I didn’t like the feel of a condom.

I got myself on PrEP as soon as it was covered by my health insurance a few years ago. I believe it was 2014. Since then Gilead has created programs for access to the pill even for those who do not have insurance coverage. You just have to call them and ask how to do it.

I get annoyed by guys who claim they can’t go to their family doctor and ask for PrEP. The common excuse is that their parents will find out. As long as you are 18, there are HIPPA laws that protect your privacy. There’s nothing to worry about.

Like I said the other day, if your going to fuck as an adult the be a fucking adult and get yourself tested and protected.

Today I officially launched the #showyourpill campaign. I even grabbed the @showyourpill account names on Instagram and Twitter.

I’m hoping everyone on PrEP and TasP medication will join me in showing off their daily pills.

Years ago some guys would carry around their latest STI test results and share them with potential sex partners. The TV show Queer As Folk even pokes fun at that fact of life a few times. Anyway, now it’s time to move away from sharing the test results and just use the simple method of showing your pill.

Truvada is a bright blue pill while the new generic is a dull blue pill. Genvoya, the name brand medication by Gilead that treats HIV, is lite green.

Tomorrow morning, and every morning after that, post pics of you holding your pill to Instagram or twitter with the hashtag #showyourpill.

Join me in bringing awareness to the need for this medication to be more available, and perhaps help motivate more to sign up for it.

Let’s be the new cool kids that everyon wants to mimic and maybe we’ll even flush out the liars that claim they are on PrEP when they really aren’t.

Time to insert and swallow,

Day 38 - March 21, 2018

I’m feeling very proud today that my #showyourpill has caught on a little bit.

I got a message this morning from someone saying they had the courage to ask their doctor about the pill and then they posted a pic this afternoon showing their first dose.

I’m also flattered that everyone is copying my idea of balancing the pill on their nose.

I’m seeing the #ShowYourPill hashtag pop up on twitter, Instagram, and Facebook with people I don't even know.  I hope the momentum continues.

There are several negative comments popping up every time someone posts a pic of their pill.  

The first negative comment I saw was someone shaming PrEP users for taking the pill, in that, if we wanted to be safe we would use a condom instead. Apparently condom use has worked so well that everyone is safe and HIV isn't a problem.  Right, look where that got us.

Another shameful comment came from someone saying that we wouldn’t need to worry if we didn’t have sex with random strangers.  I guess we can't help the horny nature of gay guys.  Oh well.

Then I saw a comment today from someone saying he takes PrEP because he doesn't trust his puppy pack. Digging deeper into this Alpha's social profile I found that his puppy pack is only supposed to play with other members of the pack, yet he assumes that they are having sex outside of their group.  It sure sounds like they have some group dynamics to deal with, but I commend him for being realistic and taking steps to protect himself.

How far will this go? I don’t know, but at least I know I’ve made a little bit of a difference.

Post a pic of your PrEP pill and tag #ShowYourPill to join this trend ;-)

Day 30 - March 13, 2018

I didn't expect to be tagged by the #ThirstTrapChallenge, but two of my friends, Jersey and Iggy, both decided that I needed to show more skin than I already was.  I'm not sure that's possible, unless I start posting full nudes.  

The Thirst Trap Challenge celebrates being sex positive and body positive as a way to fly in the face of those who would sham us because they feel we shouldn’t be open about sex. Many of them think that it’s our fault for continuing to spread STIs and HIV.  Those who sham are attempting to cast doubt on those who are different than they are.  Shame, like discrimination, is something you are taught when growing up; humans are not born with a shameful bone in their bodies.  

If I'm going to shame anyone then I think it's a shame that people have monogamy training forced upon them along with their supposed religious righteous views.

There are plenty of "monogamous" people who somehow gave STIs to their partner.  Meanwhile, those of us who are more open with our play time take steps to protect ourselves and those we play with by getting tested often, and by taking PrEP to prevent HIV infection TasP to prevent the spread of HIV.

I created a #ShowYourPill campaign a few days ago as my way to motivate those taking PrEP and TasP to show themselves in a photo with their medication.  I'm hoping this will stimulate the conversation about HIV prevention medication.  I show my pill to help motivate others towards a path of safety and sexual health and responsibility.

With the #ThirstTrapChallenge I'm supposed to tag 5 people every day to motivate them to show 5 sexy photos of themselves.  I'm not doing that.  Instead, for the next 5 days I will tag 5 different people and ask them to post 1 photo of themselves with their PrEP or TasP pill.

I'm not going to ask anyone to show skin or a sexy photo, just show your friends you are serious about your health, and that of those you play with.

If you are reading this some time in the future, I urge you to also post a photo of you and your PrEP or TasP along with the hashtag #ShowYourPill.  Those of us on medication are far more educated than those of us who aren't.  

You will get questions, and people might even shame you for showing your pill. Please don't let that stop you.

Join me,