Author, blogger and HIV activist Kristian Johns was diagnosed HIV-positive more than a decade ago. Writing in the latest issue of FS Magazine he recalls how the first World AIDS Day following his diagnosis made him feel “ashamed, like some sort of clichéd statistic.”

In the years that followed Kristian was determined to help prevent new infections, and to represent honestly what his diagnosis meant, and so he became politically involved, talking to MTV and the BBC about his status. “I garnered a reputation for being fearless. I wanted to give people hope, courage and confidence to be unashamed of their status, to feel as worthy and ‘clean’ and deserving of love as the rest of the human race.”

But despite all of Kristian’s hard work to increase understanding of HIV, recent events have left him terrified. As he writes, “I’ve met the man I want to marry and he’s negative. I do not want to give the man I love HIV. I don’t want him to have to deal with the pills, the sicknesses, the constant blood tests and hospital visits.”

Matthew Hodson of GMFA, who publish FS, comments: “Kristian always writes from the heart and we’re delighted to have his column in the current issue of FS. Coming to terms with an HIV positive diagnosis can be a long journey. Although the life expectancy for people with HIV has improved considerably in recent years, there remain a considerable number of medical issues for people with HIV and, as Kristian’s column highlights, the emotional burden of living with HIV doesn’t simply go away.”

Kristian’s column is in the latest issue of FS magazine, which is available for free in gay venues and GUM clinics across the UK or can be viewed at www.gmfa.org.uk/fsmag.  FS magazine is now also available to download on your iPhone, iPad or Android device for free. Visitwww.gmfa.org.uk/fsapp for more information.

More of Kristian’s personal musings can be found at his blog site,www.sexdrugsandsausagerolls.com

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