GOOD ADVICE FROM A LONGTIME READER

(Article published in HWW Nov 2006)

In 1989 "HOW...WHEN...WHERE" told the story of Mayrose Norman, an attractive young woman who found herself homeless and staying at the Allerton Hotel. Eighteen years later, Mayrose, still on our mailing list, called the newsletter to say she had a very important message for our readers.

"I am here to give you some information that is critical to your health. I want you to know how important it is for you to get tested for HIV/AIDS. Over 100,000 people in New York City are living with HIV/AIDS. African Americans are three times more likely to be HIV positive than whites. Hispanics are twice as likely.

"To find the address of a place you can go to get tested, call 311 and ask to be connected to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Thanks, Mayrose, for the advice.

Here are a few more tips. When you call about testing:

1. •Ask if you have a choice between confidential testing and anonymous testing. Anonymous testing means you can see the results but there will be no record of your name for anyone to see and no way the results can be traced back to you. Confidential means your name is on your medical record.
   

2. •Ask if you will be offered pre-test and post-test counseling. If you test positive, you will be asked but you cannot be required to give the names of sexual partners. Also you will want good advice about how to get appropriate treatment.
   
   

And you may want to find groups that give other kinds of support such as information about social services available to you or help with legal issues or housing. Mayrose herself is a volunteer at Harlem Hospital counseling people who test positive. She suggests you call to get information about the Habari Program at (212) 939 1054.

For more information about testing and support groups, call Gay Man’s Health Crisis at 212 807-6655 or 1-800-243-7692 or NY State HIV/AIDS Information Service at 1 800 541-2437.