Earlier this month, I took an HIV test as part of National HIV Testing Week.
I did not expect it to have a surprising result. Still, unless we set an example and break down prejudices and barriers, we cannot expect others to overcome what might be embarrassment or awkwardness.
The first person in my family to take an HIV test was my mother, who had had a number of blood units given to her after an operation and wondered whether she was infected and might infect others in the family. She was clear; many were not so fortunate.
I am glad that we now have a vaccination against genital warts, which is included in the cervical cancer vaccination. We
campaigned together, cross-party and cross-discipline. More recently, I pushed for the vaccination to be available to young men and boys as well.
We will reach herd immunity much faster now that both sexes are involved. That also gives protection to men who have sex with men.
If we can overcome the embarrassment, we can get to a situation where people can be themselves and live as they choose, without being an unknown risk to themselves or to others.
