My Final Disclosure

[ImagineFL]

This past Friday night, I had received a call from my best friend, Jason in California.

I met Jason when I moved into a new apartment in Long Beach and he moved in the next day.  The next several days, we would meet in the hallway as we both seemed to get home from work at the same time.  We both had our bags and beer in hand everyday in the hallways (we lived in apartment’s right next door to each other)

This went on for a few days and I finally asked him if he wanted to come over for some drinks.  After a few hours of cocktails, he confessed that he was gay and WAY deep in the closet because of his family.  His family lived north of Long Beach, so we started going to gay bars around Long Beach and West Hollywood together.  Our friendship blossomed over the next couple of years and he and I are now best friends and call each other at least every other day.

I’ve been extremely worried about Jason over the past two years since I left California and moved to Florida.  We were both pretty promiscuous in West Hollywood and Long Beach while we were hang out together and I know that he is still doing the same old shit, and that worried me.

So Friday, I was pretty cocktailed when he called and told him that I had something to tell him and that I had been meaning to tell him, I just wanted to do it in person and not on the phone.

I told him that I had AIDS and there was dead silence on the phone.  After like 10 seconds, I said “Jason, are you still there?”

He said yes, and I could tell that he was crying.  I spend the next half hour explaining to him about the meds that I was on and this HIV/AIDS is not a death sentence like it used to be and how my meds had brought my viral load down from close to a million to 54.  He still has questions and I am more then happy to share what I know and what I have been through with him.

I am totally relieved that I finally told him and he has promised to go get tested him self and to start being more careful.

We said good night and that we loved each other.

The moral of my story:
I true friend will love you with what you have and with honesty; you might be able to help someone by getting them to get tested.

Love,
Patsy

[GSOgymrat]

Great story. I'm glad that your disclosure was well received and I hope your friend decides to get tested.

[Jerry71]

Very good for you Patsy. 

[David_CA]

Way to go!  I know that must have been hard to discuss... but I'm sure those drinks helped a bit!

David

[Mattinsrq]

Wow, David's pic made me forget the topic....oh yeah.

Awesome story.        

[poobear]

Patsy,
    I bet you feel so much better now that you told him.  I always do, it feels like a ton of bricks is off your shoulders.  I am also so happy that he received the news so well.  That my Friend is a true friend.  I just want to say from my experience that when I do tell people and they do not take heed to what I am saying and they engage in the same risky behavior,  I usually get really angry that they can't learn from my mistakes.   But every body has to take responsibility for themselves.  And the best thing about it is you can educate him.  I am so proud of you.  Great Big Hug to you.   Rachel

[cph9680]

That's a wonderful story...
Disclosure is obviously a difficult thing, after two years, I still have issues with it...But I applaud your courage

Corey

[livingpositively]

Patz,

Thanks for sharing your story here.  It's always encouraging to hear that a disclosure had a "happy" ending.  I myself, have only had the same type of experiences, although I have been quite selective, to this point, of who I have disclosed to.

You have a TRUE friend there.

Hugs,

Shane

[Eldon]

Pat,

Keep smiling, keep shining, that's what friends are for. In good and bad times. Thank you for sharing with us.



Have the BEST Day!

[ImagineFL]

Thanks everyone... I feel better for having told him.  Albeit, not the way I had planned, I didn't want to tell him over the phone.  But we still talk on the phone everyday.  Love that man!

Patsy & Jay

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