What To Expect When Getting Tested
The first time you go to get tested is always scary. Not just because you’re about to find out your HIV and STI status, but because you don’t know what to expect from the process.
I remember what it was like the first time I went, and I really wanted to find a way to help people feel comfortable going. It is so important to know your status, and getting through the door is sometimes the hardest part.
So I decided to do what I do best… Make a video about it!
But talking about it could only do so much, I wanted viewers to be in the room with me and see how the experience is for me. After searching for almost a year for places that would let me film inside, my friend directed me to the Men’s Sexual Health Project. The group (a collaboration between Bellevue Hospital Center and NYU School of Medicine) offers completely FREE testing on location in public sex venues throughout NYC. M*SHP offers rapid HIV antibody testing and HIV viral load testing, as well as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and herpes testing. Their services are open to anyone who’d like to test: men, women, trans, genderqueer, and anyone else.
They were completely accommodating, and really wanted me to be able to shoot a video to help people feel comfortable getting tested.
SO HERE IT IS! ENOJY!
Some resources mentioned:
