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The place that I, among lots of of the glbt community, go to get tested is a queer-friendly(as they put it) clinic right by Davie street, which is the "gay-friendly" street here in Vancouver. I think this clinic is just for sexual related stuff like testing, birth control, plan B, free medication if you do contract an infection and shots if needed. I just had my Hepatits A & B shot done 4 days ago, I made my friend hold my hand though... I get a lot of anxiety and worry whenever I deal with needles. I only have one friend who knows about my sex life, but even then she only knows a little bit. Other than her, I keep my sex life and testings to myself usually.

I've never felt judged by them at this clinic, they're always supportive and sometimes ask if you think you've contracted anything if you reveal something... I guess... not safe? and if you say yes they go on to ask if you have friends or family for support and they offer you numbers to contact in case you need support(HIV support groups, etc.). I feel awkward when I'm dealing with a very attractive doctor/nurse and I have to answer questions about my sex life lol. I'm happy that there is this clinic, it's actually at a place called Qmmunity, which is a gay-friendly community center. They've got a youth hang out center, a little library, sign up's for events or to volunteer for the parade, a bunch of stuff. I have ran into a few people I've dated before and it's kind of awkward sitting in the waiting room, because everyone kind of knows why you're there and yeah that stigma is attached I feel.

I think some people dodge getting tested for the fear of hearing they've got something, which yes it is a scary thing to deal with. I also think some people are just selfish and know they have something, but like you mentioned with the fib, really don't care if they pass it on. People really need to be educated about it too and where they can get tested. It's gross but one of the newer high school that was built, the nurse accidentally slipped some information to the vice-principal while my friend was in his office and they were outside the door, she said just about half of the grade 11's & 12's had chlamydia. It's not a very big school, but they need that education... and free condoms/lube would help too... which they already have but maybe something mandatory(like after seeing the school nurse).

I agree with you that getting tested shouldn't be negative or demeaning. I also think that everyone should get tested. How much really depends on you though and how sexually active you are. Personally I'm not that sexually active ever but I live with a lot of worry, so getting tested every 3-4 months reassures me.

My thought is that more people should get tested, and more often. There was a huge syphilis outbreak in NB within the past few years, almost exclusively among men who sleep with men. emotion_donotwant Not to mention all the other wonderful STIs you can contract.

I usually get tested once or twice a year. I am pretty careful about using protection (although I'm more relaxed if I've been in a monogamous relationship for a while), but it's nice to know for sure. I have to be at the hospital for other medical issues, anyway, so I really have no excuse not to.

I've never felt judged for getting tested. Quite the opposite, actually; usually the physician or nurse laments the fact that so few people take care of themselves, and that's why STIs are such a problem.

It's not generally something I talk about with my friends, so I don't know for sure what they'd think, but I imagine they'd probably think I'm paranoid, if anything.

I got tested a few years ago because I didn't know how my genitalia was supposed to look (yes I was that sheltered by my family). I could hear the gynie laugh at my worries outside the room with a nurse...which I happened to overhear. The gynie also had a bunch of soap opera magazines, which I incorporated into my rationalization of why my gynie was such a unemphatic bigot, being the sensitive person that I am.