These stories were reviewed and approved by a local panel for use in HIV prevention programs conducted in street and community settings. The stories are real and were published with a photo of the role model (or another person from the target population). Role model stories like these may be used as a part of a comprehensive HIV prevention program that includes information about other risk-reduction strategies such as drug treatment and avoidance of high-risk activities.

ALMOST CONVINCED

Michael is an attractive, 36-year old man who lives with his wife. For him, sex with men has always been a curiosity, and a few times he's found himself at an adult theater hanging around.

"An interesting thing's been happening to me lately," Michael says. "Every time I come out here now I think about using condoms. Oh, not with the men but with my wife. See, when I come out here and do my thing with other guys, I almost always use condoms because I'm afraid of AIDS. Awhile ago, this guy I got together with told me how he'd had an AIDS scare.

"But when I think about using rubbers with my wife, it's harder to convince myself that I've got to do it. I know that I want to protect her from my playing around, but it turns me off to use a rubber with her. This is going to have to change. I know I want to protect her. But right now, just thinking about it is a good step forward."

A SPECIAL CASE

My name's Jason. I'm 31 years old and I work a regular job with a regular company. But I consider myself a very "special" person. One of the things you might find most interesting about me is that I "get around." But when I have sex with someone it's because I've given it some thought. I'm not doing it because I'm using drugs, or drinking, and I'm not sneaking behind anyone's back.

You might not believe this but I've always practiced "safer sex!" I started protecting myself a long time ago, because I didn't want a sexually transmitted disease or a pregnancy scare to stop me from having special times with people. Today it's even more important than ever to be sexually responsible because of AIDS.

I use rubbers to stay healthy, and that in turn gives me peace of mind and lets me know that I'm not hurting anyone with what I'm doing. I might be a special case because I use condoms all the time but I'm like everyone else when it comes to THINKING about using condoms. There are a lot of reasons why you might not want to use them, but one real good reason to use condoms. It's going to keep you ALIVE.