A.I.D.S. Carrier Conquers Fear (Press, 1 November 1986)

On 1 November 1986, a report by Rob Goldstone for NZPA-AAP discussed the experiences of a Sydney man named Mike, who is 43 and works in the publishing industry. Mike is among many individuals in Sydney who are carriers of the A.I.D.S. virus. Despite being diagnosed as antibody positive, he expresses a notable lack of concern about how he contracted the virus, stating that he does not blame any of his past sexual partners. Mike took the A.I.D.S. test in December 1985, mostly to reassure himself that he did not have the disease, knowing he was in a high-risk category due to his homosexual relationships. However, he received the life-altering news on Christmas Eve, which he describes as a moment he will never forget. Initially, he felt denial and disbelief, hoping for a false positive result. Eventually, another test confirmed his diagnosis, leading him to navigate through the five stages of grief: anger, denial, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Initially fearing he wouldn't survive the following Christmas, Mike began to appreciate his surroundings more deeply, thinking he was witnessing places for the last time. While acknowledging he likely acquired the virus from casual encounters, he harbours no anger towards anyone else, only regret for his own behaviour. Telling friends of his diagnosis was a challenge, and while most were sympathetic, his boyfriend left him. This period stirred feelings of depression, self-hate, and sexual guilt. Contrary to his initial fears, Mike believes that he is not dying from A.I.D.S. and feels healthier than ever. He implemented a rigorous health programme, which included quitting smoking, abstaining from drinking, adopting a vegetarian diet, and turning to religion. Additionally, he dedicates time to volunteer work with the A.I.D.S. Crisis Line. Despite the stigma, Mike eventually found the courage to pursue new sexual relationships. He relayed experiences with a new partner, mentioning that revealing his positive status surprisingly became appealing to some. Through his journey, Mike has managed to confront his fears and reclaim control over his life, emphasizing that he feels empowered despite his diagnosis.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand