I grew up in the country, 25 miles or so out of Spokane, Washington. I joined the Armed Forces, after High School, went to Germany, while serving in the Army, got married at 18, had a child on the way by my 19th B-Day..all sounds like things were great. NOT! My marrage was in shambles. I was cheated the whole time. I was told “America I am going oneway or another by my wife” I came back to the states alone, single and starting over at 20. I used my GI Bill and started College. Sounds so long ago, as I reflect on it. I was troubled by my inner feelings, and finally, decided to be me, 4 me, GAY..WOW! After turning 21, well two months after, I went to Signature’s (the only gay bar I knew of) Scared and full of wonderment(talk about confused) but happy. My First..”GAY” relationship happend right off. I was so in LOVE, quit school, my job, and moved to, Prosser, to his Grandmothers farm. Life seemed unusally easy..like nothing could hurt us(me). But around Christmas that year, shortly after a party we attened in the Tri-cities, life change not alot but I knew something was wrong. He had cheated..and when it can out in a fight..he Raped me! I became so sick shortly after that for two weeks and couldn’t figure out how to get rid of the flu/bug. Then all of a sudden, the third week, it was gone as fast as it came. Still 21, I went back to work, I hit my head on a pipe by accident, Bleeding pretty badly I ended up going to the Benton County, Clinic in Richland..just had to walk across the street to get to it. Exrays, and all were completed and I was asked if I wanted to be test for A.I.D.S. they had already taken blood so I said who cares…So the rest is History, I found out that my Worst Christmas Present Ever given to me at the age of 21, was HIV . It was the spring of 1989. Yes, in those days, you looked at it as a death sentice. I am now the ripe old age of 42, I am still going strong! I went till 2002, befor I, started on Anti-Virals, which by no means are any fun. But with the right combo and the advances they are making. Finally!!(To me, it seemed like it was never to be in my lifetime)I am an outstanding example of those years of trial/error. Not getting re-infected, and taking good care of yourself, will greatly improve your health/chances. Not that I haven’t found it hard to stick to the everyday, over and over, routine. Stick in there. Your in the new age of medicine, I heard on the TODAY SHOW..just this morn about a new Vaccine that is very, Stressing the Very, Promising! By killing, or wiping out the “Virus” that mutates and changes so often, finally getting rid of this awefull thing we call HIV/AIDS. The vaccine might not be for all us old timers, but “Your Future is as Bright as You Can Make It!” Take it from me, 20 years and going, We’ll still be here in 20 years. AIDS will not be! See ya round, take care.