Positive Thoughts – Let’s Talk About Women and HIV: We know HIV doesn’t discriminate — so why are women still being left out of the conversation around HIV

Having recently become single again after being in a monogamous relationship for over a decade, and finding myself thrust into a whole new world of dating apps and identities (polyamorous, pansexual, etc.), I also realized it was time to start getting regular STI screenings again – including for HIV.

This was about eight months into my singledom, by which time I’d had three new partners (yes, I was enjoying my own exploration of polyamory). Though I had been using condoms, of course an STI screening was still the responsible thing to do, so I scheduled a full panel, including an HIV test, with my ob-gyn.

When I came in I was surprised to be greeted with a flurry of concerned questions from my doc: "Why do you want an HIV test? Do you think you have been exposed? Are you having any symptoms?"

"No," I explained, a little shaken. "I am just single again after many years and have been sexually active with more than one partner. I felt it was the proper thing to do at this...