It’s probably one of the most respected acronyms on gay relationships software. “DDF,” sometimes followed by “u b 2.” It is short for “drug and disease free” plus it’s both usual and odious. If accompanied by “you end up being too,” it is also overtly stigmatizing towards HIV-positive men. However, also alone, it’s really difficult so let’s split […]

Wellness Intimate Wellness Kevin Moroso

This short article had been released on November eighteenth, 2015

It’s one of the most prolific acronyms on gay relationships apps. “DDF,” occasionally followed closely by “u b 2.” It signifies “drug and ailments free” and it also’s both usual and odious. If followed by “you end up being also,” it can be overtly stigmatizing towards HIV-positive guys. But even alone, it’s really difficult so let’s breakdown why definitely.

Firstly, it is obscure. Just what ailments is the individual discussing? Do he only imply HIV? Do he mean all STIs? Or perhaps is he also writing on non-communicable diseases?

Now assuming they pertains to STIs, it’s a relatively useless bit of info. For some regarding the lesser attacks, like gonorrhea, they’re therefore effortlessly carried that no one can actually make sure they don’t have one. Whenever ended up being your own finally examination people problems? Exactly how many partners do you have actually prior to that test and the amount of maybe you have got since? Could you be DDF on Monday not on Tuesday once you see the release taken from your penis?

As these slight infections are easily sent through both dental and rectal intercourse several, like syphilis, can still be conveniently transmitted when making use of condoms, your recent sex matters. For many of this additional attacks, such as HPV or herpes, community fitness authorities never advise evaluating for these. As a result it’s unlikely this person understands whether he’s herpes or HPV. To phrase it differently, hardly any dudes are specific they’re without an STI at any point in time.

In the event the man is certainly caused by concentrated on HIV, what counts is actually transmissibility, not regardless if you are HIV-positive or perhaps not. Men just who discover these are typically HIV-positive and are also on cures are not the people that are transferring HIV see it here. In reality, the guys which think they’re HIV-negative but have not too long ago seroconverted be the cause of almost all transmissions. Therefore the paradox could it possibly be’s the inventors exactly who say they’re “DDF” which are dispersing HIV, maybe not the guys just who know they usually have this “disease.” Therefore unless the guy using DDF visibility is for example he’s risky for your body, it is perhaps not a smart method to sexual fitness. Indeed, it demonstrates the guy’s lack of knowledge when it comes to intimate health and just how unsafe this person are. Extra problematic is the fact that DDF perpetuates the idea that HIV-positive men just who learn their own position include sending HIV – this is exactly a concept that’s bogus, stigmatizing, despite research, and is also helping to spread the epidemic.

Another problem is the fact that this acronym leaves collectively drug utilize using what try a chronic health condition. People genuinely believe that medicine dependency is actually worst and also this phrase helps make a match up between HIV-positive guys and drug addiction. It brings together something a behavioral problem with a health situation. It creates a breeding ground within the gay relationship industry that not creating HIV is useful additionally the norm.

Which leads to how it reinforces HIV stigma. It centers around her trojan, maybe not all of them all together person, and helps to mark all of them aside as unwanted. It has a deeply negative influence on the psychological state of poz dudes, especially those who have recently been identified or include young. This business in many cases are in a fragile emotional condition, believe that a disease has brought over their health as well as their schedules, which hammers home the concept that they’re maybe not welcome into the standard homosexual dating globe any longer. These negative mental burdens can frequently keep on for a life times. The acronym helps bolster the sections inside our area between poz and neg, a division whoever energy it up.

Very fall they dudes. Say you’re not into undertaking pills with gender. Give your own finally examination day which test’s outcome. But end making use of the acronym DDF: they shows your own ignorance around sexual health insurance and acts as a strike on several of the most prone people in all of our community.