Need A Free HIV Test In NYC?
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29 March 2011 | 7 Comments
I had meant to get an HIV test back in early January, but then kept putting off the doctor’s appointment ’cause he wanted me to get an echocardiogram and I didn’t have time to go get it. And with not having much sex, I wasn’t getting STDs, so wasn’t going into the doc otherwise – so it got delayed. January would have been a year since my last test, and I like to get a test at least every year, so I was almost at 15 months and I was overdue for the test. I was about to put off the appointment again (’cause I still hadn’t gotten the echo), but figured I’d go in, if for no other reason to get an HIV test.
My doctor is at Callen Lorde – which started out many years ago as a community health clinic / STD clinic at the gay and lesbian community center. When I told him I wanted an HIV test he hesitated saying he didn’t know if they had a testing person on duty. I told him I really preferred if he did the test (’cause I hate rehashing everything the counselor du jour), but he said Callen Lorde only has HIV testing counselors do HIV tests. I made some comment about how that seemed silly since doctors should be just as able to do the test. He said that while he does a pretty good job telling people they’re poz, HIV testing counselors are the best people to deliver that news. But he also said that Callen Lorde receives funding from the City for the tests. The tests are free but the deal is that the City-funded counselor does all tests.
So if any of you are in NYC and want a VERY gay friendly place to get tested, call Callen Lorde for an appointment. It won’t cost you a dime and the counseling isn’t too intrusive or hostile to barebackers. Last time I got tested I sorta cut the counseling part short by saying I’ve been getting tested for 20 years and just wanted the test. This time, knowing counseling is part of their deal with the City of New York, I put up with the counseling, but did say things like “I’m comfortable with my level of risk” to shorten the discussion and get on with the test.
One thing I should mention is that the tests at Callen Lorde are confidential, but not anonymous. If you test poz they do report that to the State of New York (as required by law). The only place to get an anonymous test that isn’t reported is at a City-run testing clinic. But you can’t make an appointment and you’ll wait for HOURS for the test.
It was sorta funny – going into the test I wasn’t nervous. But the pin prick in my finger sent a shot of pain up through my arm (may have hit a nerve or something), and then I was pretty nervous for the 15 minutes I had to wait for the results. But the test came back negative. So to those of you who always seem to think I’m poz or will be poz at my next test… You’re wrong again. 🙂
Anyway, if you read this blog regularly (or spend much time on my bb forum site – Breeding Zone) you’ll know I’m a bit indifferent to guys becoming poz. But I am a huge advocate of getting tested and knowing your status. I urge all of you to get tested every 6 to 12 months and never let it go more than 2 years. You’re MUCH more likely to die of HIV if you don’t get treated within 2 years of being infected. Early detection and timely treatment is the key to living a long time with HIV. Don’t put it off – make an appointment for a test at Callen Lorde – it’s just 15 minutes of anxiety and it won’t cost you anything. They also have a drop in clinic on Saturday mornings – no appointment necessary.
Know your status!
Neg top here too, but just want to say that I definitely DO NOT recommend Callen Lorde. I went in for basic HIV and STD testing, and though I was told the testing would be free like nearly every other place in NYC, I got hit with MASSIVE bills–like $800 plus. AND all my tests were negative! The billing was eventually resolved to where I only had to pay $35, but this went on for 10 months probably–40 bills in the mail later, insurance hang-ups, reports to a collection agency, etc., I’d NEVER go back. If you want a free HIV test, just go to any of the confidential places and give a fake name–that turns a confidential test into an anonymous one.
So in Australia tests can be ordered by any GP and you won’t pay a cent. You will usually be directed to a dedicated pathology lab for the samples though (and the quick-result tests aren’t approved for use here at the moment).
I have literally had a GP look at me completely puzzled when I asked, and seriously said “Why would you want do get that done?” (confused, not accusatory) Then I got sent to the pathology lab next door where the nurse had to look up what specimens they actually needed to take… Didn’t inspire confidence. (My current GP is gay, and specializes in sexual health, so none of that any more)
There are clinics that are effectively anonymous (no id check, medicare card, etc) but they’re also of the “turn up and wait an hour or so to see someone” variety. Then you need to come back in a week for results, and wait again.
In LA, you can go many places for a free hiv test. And Get the results in 15 to 20 mins.
I have to say, although we don’t see eye-to-eye on the BB thing (although it is very hot to read about…which is why I’m here in the first place), you’ve gained a significant amount of respect for this post. I agree, what people do with their partner at the time is their business. If neg bottoms want to take poz loads, that is THEIR choice – nobody can tell them it’s wrong. But, I think it is important for everyone involved to get tested and KNOW their status. That 15 to 20 minutes is nail-biting edge-of-your-seat, but regardless of the outcome at least you know. Finding out you’re poz is I’m sure extremely stressful but like anything – it is a step in the right direction…at least you’ll KNOW, and can deal with it. As GI Joe says, knowing is half the battle.
When u get pozzed, let me know, ‘coz I want you to blow you fat, fucking charged load of poz DNA up my whore’s depraved, sodomite faggot ass. U can dress him up and give him a girl’s name and make him dance. I want u to make him into ur punk and mix your poz cum with all the poz shit swimmming in his ass, to breed even more virulent strains.
Btw, did u ever fuck a dude with full blown AIDS? That would be so hot.
good luck trying to “pozzing”. watch “House of Numbers” on Youtube with Brent Leung. the further interview with Luc Montagnier will illuminate you. You can test poz for ANYTHING, standard STDs, vaccines, flu, pregnancy (women only obviously) drugs both illicit and legal. TB, warts, revealing sexual history. etc. etc. lots of people are getting wise to the total ridiculousness of the tests. check out “Help for HIV” and “Office of Medical and Scientific Justice”. Get over it, HIV is some amalagam of environmental reactions within your body that MIGHT correspond to immune stress. AIDS is….just a failure that is found in hundreds of millions with or without any damned HIV “poz” or “false poz”.
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