Great article Bio Bill. I recently moved down to Miami and had been dating someone for 7 months before he told me he was HIV positive. I couldn't believe someone close to me could withhold that information. I understand that he was scared of losing me if I knew, but the sad thing is I wouldn't have cared that he was positive. I would have dated him anyway, but I'll never date him from the betrayal I felt when I was finally told. I bottomed for him every time. Luckily we always practiced safe sex.
I just want to clarify and be sure. Is this a column specifically directed at gay men? Because specifically for this post, two out of the three things to watch for directly pertain to me as well despite my lack of a phallic apparatus. I think this is a great post and I wouldn't want anyone that could benefit from it to feel it doesn't pertain to them before they even read it! But I understand the necessity of a focused audience hence my desire to clarify. Thanks, Bill.
Residentgringa -
Thank you for the comments - Yes... my column tends to be directed at gay men, not because I want to limit the potential audience, but honestly because I don't know enough about female to female transmission of HIV, or about how that community interacts sexually. Also, my experience counselling newly diagnosed HIV-positive men has been limited to gay men... and frankly I think that specific community is where most of new cases are coming from... at least in North America. With that said, I also believe that the column may still be of value to our non-male readers... I just don't have the experience to speak directly to those populations.
Hopefully this makes sense, and if there is a way you can suggest to make the intended audience more obvious to readers, I would be very interested. 
Ryan -
Unfortunately, your story is not uncommon. A lot of negative social stigma, coupled with a guy's sometimes overwhelming desire to get laid, can lead to a lot of guys, especially newly diagnosed, not knowing how to talk about it honestly. That's why ALWAYS asking about a persons HIV-status, and asking in a respectful manner, is so important.
THANKS 4 heads-up. I would only add that just because your meeting at a bath house doesnt make the person any less likely that he is positive. Too many people believe: "oh, we met via somewhere classy, therefore he must be neg."
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