Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 30, 2024, 12:46:47 am

Login with username, password and session length


Members
  • Total Members: 37614
  • Latest: bondann
Stats
  • Total Posts: 772965
  • Total Topics: 66312
  • Online Today: 178
  • Online Ever: 5484
  • (June 18, 2021, 11:15:29 pm)
Users Online
Users: 0
Guests: 132
Total: 132

Welcome


Welcome to the POZ Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and others concerned about HIV/AIDS.  Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning:  Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

  • The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own physician.

  • All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

  • Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators of these forums. Click here for “Do I Have HIV?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ community forums.

  • We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are true and correct to their knowledge.

  • Product advertisement—including links; banners; editorial content; and clinical trial, study or survey participation—is strictly prohibited by forums members unless permission has been secured from POZ.

To change forums navigation language settings, click here (members only), Register now

Para cambiar sus preferencias de los foros en español, haz clic aquí (sólo miembros), Regístrate ahora

Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the symbol in each box.

Author Topic: 6 Degrees of Separation  (Read 8581 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline tednlou2

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,730
6 Degrees of Separation
« on: April 06, 2010, 02:07:36 am »
After talking with some friends tonight, I realized how connected sexually the gay community is and how the virus can spread like wildfire.  I asked my straight women friends who don't share (or at least know they do) this connection.  I suppose it is due to having more straight partners to choose from.

We were talking about certain guys we've dated over the years.  Someone's name would come up and almost eveyone either had a direct connection to that person or knew someone who did.  Louisville isn't the biggest city (think we're considered the 16th largest), so you could possibly see how this is possible.  However, I've had friends from Atlanta, L.A., and Miami say the same thing.  They had sex with someone, who had sex with someone else they know, who had sex with someone else they know and so on.  They would say, "Oh, I had sex with him, too, and he also had sex with my ex."

I just thought this was interesting how connected sexually a town or city is.  Even though I was born here, I grew up in a small town in Indiana.  I remember everyone was connected sexuallly to every other gay guy in town, but in that small town many straight people were connected as well.  I realize I'm not breaking news here...just thought it was interesting.  I guess it goes back to those health classes in highschool where we were told we are having sex with everyone our partner has had sex with.  It really makes ya realize how the virus spread from the so-called "patient zero" to everyone else.  I know there is debate whether there really was one "patient zero." 

Offline fearless

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,191
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #1 on: April 06, 2010, 02:15:53 am »
It's a very small world indeed.

Until 12 months ago, I lived with another guy, John. His boyfriend of 8 years is Michael. My ex-boyfriend of 10 years is Bruce. Bruce's ex boyfriend of 8 years is Michael. Michael, Bruce and little Steve lived together for 7 years. Michael and Bruce have lived together for about 20 years. Big Stephen lived with Michael and Bruce for a while. Big Steve went out with Robert. Robert also went out with cute Steve. I slept with cute Steve and Robert, but not big Steve, Michael or John. Michael slept with Robert. Cute Steve slept with my previous flatmate, Sam. I slept with Sam. Michael wanted to sleep with Sam, but I don't think he did. God knows who Bruce has slept with. And, wea re all still the best of friends.

And, so it goes...
Be forgiving, be grateful, be optimistic

Offline tednlou2

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,730
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #2 on: April 06, 2010, 02:50:22 am »
It's a very small world indeed.

Until 12 months ago, I lived with another guy, John. His boyfriend of 8 years is Michael. My ex-boyfriend of 10 years is Bruce. Bruce's ex boyfriend of 8 years is Michael. Michael, Bruce and little Steve lived together for 7 years. Michael and Bruce have lived together for about 20 years. Big Stephen lived with Michael and Bruce for a while. Big Steve went out with Robert. Robert also went out with cute Steve. I slept with cute Steve and Robert, but not big Steve, Michael or John. Michael slept with Robert. Cute Steve slept with my previous flatmate, Sam. I slept with Sam. Michael wanted to sleep with Sam, but I don't think he did. God knows who Bruce has slept with. And, wea re all still the best of friends.

And, so it goes...

Man, we could start a gay version of "Sex in the City".  I only think this is more common with gay guys due to having a limited pool to choose from--straight guys would have the same connections with a limited pool, and maybe many of them do.

Offline Matty the Damned

  • Member
  • Posts: 12,277
  • Antipodean in every sense of the word
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #3 on: April 06, 2010, 04:01:36 am »
Man, we could start a gay version of "Sex in the City".  I only think this is more common with gay guys due to having a limited pool to choose from--straight guys would have the same connections with a limited pool, and maybe many of them do.

What makes you think gay guys have a "limited pool to choose from"?

MtD

Offline Miss Philicia

  • Member
  • Posts: 24,793
  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2010, 04:12:12 am »
There are no six degrees of separation when picking up married Dominican men in Fort Tryon Park that you never will see again.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline mecch

  • Member
  • Posts: 13,455
  • red pill? or blue pill?
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #5 on: April 06, 2010, 06:25:25 am »
its worse on a college campus!

Have you seen the movie, by the way, early Will Smith. Stockard Channing Donald Sutherland. That movie will make you think, too.

There was no patient zero they have found AIDS going back decades before the 80's.
“From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need” 1875 K Marx

Offline Hellraiser

  • Member
  • Posts: 4,155
  • Semi-misanthropic
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2010, 09:15:53 am »
Small gay world indeed.  There are so few of us in Mississippi and my name is somewhat rare enough that all you have to do is mention my name to most gays in this state and they'll know who you are talking about and associate me with Southwest Mississippi and McComb more specifically.

To give you an idea, while barhopping this weekend I ran into 3 guys I know that are from Mississippi simply by chance in New Orleans.  It's stuff like this that makes me question the 10% number that everyone throws around.  I sometimes think it's much much less.

Offline Ann

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #7 on: April 06, 2010, 10:57:55 am »
I live on an island with a population of approximately 75,000 and here it's more like two or three degrees of separation.

I was diagnosed as part of a "cluster" of eight people. I was told that over 300 people were tested in total as a result of named partners of those of us who tested positive. It's amazing that more didn't test poz.

When you live in a small, close knit community like this, it can be really difficult to get away with things like affairs - unless you conduct them entirely in the privacy of your own home. Even then, someone will catch you out. ;D

I remember when I was first going out with my current partner seventeen years ago. We were walking down the main street in my town and he was pointing out some of his relatives - and it was damn near every third person. If you want to put a child up for adoption here, they won't allow the child to be placed on the island because of the relative factor. I guess they're afraid that brothers and sisters could end up together, unknowingly.
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline WillyWump

  • Member
  • Posts: 7,367
  • EPIC FIERCENESS!
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #8 on: April 06, 2010, 11:17:30 am »
A few years back I was chilling at the bar with a group of about 8 friends, some from out of town. One of my buds started chuckling and said I've slept with everyone here, another said Ive slept with most here, etc, etc... It became clear that everyone of us had slept with at least a couple of the others in the posse.
 
This stuck in my mind and I began to ponder the reasons, was it because there was a limited pool of gay men in the city? Surely not, it was Austin. Was it because we were part of the bar crowd and it was just easier to get drunk and pick up the person nearest us?... Maybe. Was it because my buds (and to a lesser extent, me  ;D) were merely a bunch of whores?... Perhaps. I may be wrong but I dont remember the hetero scene being as "open".

Looking back the scary thing about the situation was that more than a couple of guys in the group never practiced safe sex.

-Will
POZ since '08

Last Labs-
11-6-14 CD4- 871, UD
6/3/14 CD4- 736, UD 34%
6/25/13 CD4- 1036, UD,
2/4/13, CD4 - 489, UD, 28%

Current Meds: Prezista/Epzicom/ Norvir
.

Offline skeebo1969

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,931
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #9 on: April 06, 2010, 11:24:05 am »



  One my ex-wives was a prostitute, does that make it like 3 degree of seperation for me?
I despise the song Love is in the Air, you should too.

Offline David_CA

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,246
  • Joined: March 2006
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #10 on: April 06, 2010, 11:45:16 am »
Man, we could start a gay version of "Sex in the City".  I only think this is more common with gay guys due to having a limited pool to choose from--straight guys would have the same connections with a limited pool, and maybe many of them do.

I don't think it's really from having a 'limited pool'.  I suppose the fact that we are a minority in terms of the population as a whole means we are more likely to 'cross paths' with sexual partners of sexual partners, but that's secondary to behavior.  The fact that society hasn't cursed us (gay men) with standards of acceptable sexual behavior allowing us sexual freedom not commonly found with straight people is the reason, in my opinion.  I do know a few gay couples that are 100% exclusive... or so they say.  The rest allow for some degree of freedom within the relationship - one-time tricks, 3-ways with both partners, anything goes, etc.  

(edited for correction of punctuation)
Black Friday 03-03-2006
03-23-06 CD4 359 @27.4% VL 75,938
06-01-06 CD4 462 @24.3% VL > 100,000
08-15-06 CD4 388 @22.8% VL >  "
10-21-06 CD4 285 @21.9% VL >  "
  Atripla started 12-01-2006
01-08-07 CD4 429 @26.8% VL 1872!
05-08-07 CD4 478 @28.1% VL 740
08-03-07 CD4 509 @31.8% VL 370
11-06-07 CD4 570 @30.0% VL 140
02-21-08 CD4 648 @32.4% VL 600
05-19-08 CD4 695 @33.1% VL < 48 undetectable!
08-21-08 CD4 725 @34.5%
11-11-08 CD4 672 @39.5%
02-11-09 CD4 773 @36.8%
05-11-09 CD4 615 @36.2%
08-19-09 CD4 770 @38.5%
11-19-09 CD4 944 @33.7%
02-17-10 CD4 678 @39.9%  
06-03-10 CD4 768 @34.9%
09-21-10 CD4 685 @40.3%
01-10-11 CD4 908 @36.3%
05-23-11 CD4 846 @36.8% VL 80
02-13-12 CD4 911 @41.4% VL<20
You must be the change you want to see in the world.  Mahatma Gandhi

Offline Ann

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #11 on: April 06, 2010, 12:01:52 pm »
I know plenty of straights who have loads of sex with loads of people. I think straights are just less likely to talk about it and compare notes with others. I know I would never sit in the pub and discuss who was in the room that I slept with - especially if we were sitting at the same table. Maybe it's a woman thing more so than a straight thing, I dunno.
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline Miss Philicia

  • Member
  • Posts: 24,793
  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #12 on: April 06, 2010, 12:04:41 pm »
I seriously didn't have these issues when I lived in NYC.  20 million people guarantee you a good time.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline leatherman

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 8,595
  • Google and HIV meds are Your Friends
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #13 on: April 06, 2010, 12:33:01 pm »
now that I've moved back to the Carolinas, I thought I might end up meeting up with some of my old fuck-buddies; but no such luck. Of course, I'm not 25 hanging out in the bars anymore, so in the 6 months I've been back I haven't explored all the venues of re-acquainting yet. However, chatting though the lines of some of the friends that I still have back here, even before I moved back down, I know that many of those guys I would be looking for died back in the 90s. My cohort from Charlotte NC circa 1985 is unfortunately much like my cohorts from Cleveland OH circa 1990 and Canton OH circa 1995 - very diminished if not all gone. Well, save for me.  ;)

But never fear, I'm working on this matter. So far my cohort of fuck-buddies from Rock Hill, SC circa 2010 is up to four. 8)
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline Miss Philicia

  • Member
  • Posts: 24,793
  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #14 on: April 06, 2010, 12:50:45 pm »

But never fear, I'm working on this matter. So far my cohort of fuck-buddies from Rock Hill, SC circa 2010 is up to four. 8)

Miss P was in Rock Hill just 16 months ago!
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline Jeff G

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 17,064
  • How am I doing Beren ?
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #15 on: April 06, 2010, 01:19:08 pm »
I'm still a virgin and I am deeply ashamed of all of you . 
HIV 101 - Basics
HIV 101
You can read more about Transmission and Risks here:
HIV Transmission and Risks
You can read more about Testing here:
HIV Testing
You can read more about Treatment-as-Prevention (TasP) here:
HIV TasP
You can read more about HIV prevention here:
HIV prevention
You can read more about PEP and PrEP here
PEP and PrEP

Offline Ann

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #16 on: April 06, 2010, 01:25:00 pm »
I'm still a virgin and I am deeply ashamed of all of you . 

hehehehehe... you're a few days late for April Fool's jokes, aren't you? :D
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline Jeff G

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 17,064
  • How am I doing Beren ?
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #17 on: April 06, 2010, 01:29:04 pm »
hehehehehe... you're a few days late for April Fool's jokes, aren't you? :D


I swear its true ... I contracted the hiv virus by emasculate conception during a particularly heavy bout of stigmata around Easter in the 1980's
HIV 101 - Basics
HIV 101
You can read more about Transmission and Risks here:
HIV Transmission and Risks
You can read more about Testing here:
HIV Testing
You can read more about Treatment-as-Prevention (TasP) here:
HIV TasP
You can read more about HIV prevention here:
HIV prevention
You can read more about PEP and PrEP here
PEP and PrEP

Offline leatherman

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 8,595
  • Google and HIV meds are Your Friends
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #18 on: April 06, 2010, 02:01:30 pm »
Miss P was in Rock Hill just 16 months ago!
what a small world! ;D
next time you're down here amongst the baptists in Jim DeMint and Lindsey Graham Land,
if you have some time, let me know, we'll do lunch or dinner ;)
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline Miss Philicia

  • Member
  • Posts: 24,793
  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #19 on: April 06, 2010, 02:49:35 pm »
what a small world! ;D
next time you're down here amongst the baptists in Jim DeMint and Lindsey Graham Land,
if you have some time, let me know, we'll do lunch or dinner ;)

I was there for a 50th wedding anniversary for a relative (my mother's first cousin) but I'd not been down there since the late 70s or early 80s I think.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline GSOgymrat

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,122
  • HIV+ since 1993. Relentlessly gay.
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #20 on: April 06, 2010, 03:19:15 pm »
When I was single I would often do research before going out with a guy. Of course this was pre-Google, Facebook, etc. I knew three different guys who, shall we say, had large social circles. Between the three at least one of them would have the dirt.

Offline leatherman

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 8,595
  • Google and HIV meds are Your Friends
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #21 on: April 06, 2010, 04:34:01 pm »
since the late 70s or early 80s I think.
and that's when I lived here before I left my birthplace to live with (and screw 8)) the Yankees for all those years :D Seems we do keep crossing paths. Maybe you and I are only 4 degrees or so separated. LOL :D
leatherman (aka Michael)

We were standing all alone
You were leaning in to speak to me
Acting like a mover shaker
Dancing to Madonna then you kissed me
And I think about it all the time
- Darren Hayes, "Chained to You"

Offline tednlou2

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,730
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #22 on: April 07, 2010, 02:00:04 am »
What makes you think gay guys have a "limited pool to choose from"?

MtD

I just meant straight people can go to the store, Starbucks, and have many more bars to find someone of the opposite sex.  It is easier for them to meet.  We gays have to work a little harder to find another gay person, so we have to go to the few bars in town or meet someone through a friend.

Having said that, I've had straight friends who work in factories (factories seem to be a real sex haven) who hook up with all the same people.  And, like I said about the small town I grew up in, the straight people were probably just as connected sexually as the gay guys.  I guess it all depends on where ya live--8 million people in NYC would make it less likely to share the same partners.

Offline Miss Philicia

  • Member
  • Posts: 24,793
  • celebrity poster, faker & poser
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #23 on: April 07, 2010, 09:24:51 am »
8 million people in NYC would make it less likely to share the same partners.

Actually that number is just the five boroughs -- the metropolitan area is close to 20 million. 
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline skeebo1969

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,931
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #24 on: April 07, 2010, 10:33:25 am »
I just meant straight people can go to the store, Starbucks, and have many more bars to find someone of the opposite sex.  It is easier for them to meet.  We gays have to work a little harder to find another gay person, so we have to go to the few bars in town or meet someone through a friend.

Having said that, I've had straight friends who work in factories (factories seem to be a real sex haven) who hook up with all the same people.  And, like I said about the small town I grew up in, the straight people were probably just as connected sexually as the gay guys.  I guess it all depends on where ya live--8 million people in NYC would make it less likely to share the same partners.

  I know some straight people who ain't ever had a piece of ass.  I've been to the Starbucks in my town and have yet to walk in on the unlisted orgies they have, so I just settle for their crappy bitter coffee instead.
I despise the song Love is in the Air, you should too.

Offline mecch

  • Member
  • Posts: 13,455
  • red pill? or blue pill?
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #25 on: April 07, 2010, 10:46:42 am »
I think its easier for gays to meet than straights.  Depends what "meet" means.  Problem is these days a lot of gays don't want to stick around.  So is that really meeting.
“From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need” 1875 K Marx

Offline skeebo1969

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,931
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #26 on: April 07, 2010, 10:54:22 am »



   



This guy is straight, need I say more?
I despise the song Love is in the Air, you should too.

Offline Jeff G

  • Administrator
  • Member
  • Posts: 17,064
  • How am I doing Beren ?
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #27 on: April 07, 2010, 10:58:06 am »


   



This guy is straight, need I say more?



The sad part is he probably gets laid more than I do LOL .
HIV 101 - Basics
HIV 101
You can read more about Transmission and Risks here:
HIV Transmission and Risks
You can read more about Testing here:
HIV Testing
You can read more about Treatment-as-Prevention (TasP) here:
HIV TasP
You can read more about HIV prevention here:
HIV prevention
You can read more about PEP and PrEP here
PEP and PrEP

Offline mecch

  • Member
  • Posts: 13,455
  • red pill? or blue pill?
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #28 on: April 07, 2010, 12:08:33 pm »
About 10 years ago I kept a collection of amazing tawdry monstrous photos of gay guys I found cruising on the net.  Kind of like in Luriddigs.  No sexual persuasion has a monopoly on hotties and notties.
“From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need” 1875 K Marx

Offline Hellraiser

  • Member
  • Posts: 4,155
  • Semi-misanthropic
Re: 6 Degrees of Separation
« Reply #29 on: April 07, 2010, 12:24:39 pm »
This conversation reminds me of the lesbian web of sexual coupling from the L-word.

 


Terms of Membership for these forums
 

© 2024 Smart + Strong. All Rights Reserved.   terms of use and your privacy
Smart + Strong® is a registered trademark of CDM Publishing, LLC.