Growing old as a gay man

Today's gay men over 50 were the first to go out in public to demonstrate in favour of equality. This gay generation is now getting visibly older in the truest sense of the word.
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What it means to grow old as a gay man

The last time you danced the night away may have been a while ago. But was your last visit to the doctor only last week? Let's not kid ourselves: Not everything is easy when you get older.

Bette Davis once said that "ageing is not for cowards". Nevertheless, there are good reasons to face the challenges of ageing openly and with a self-confident "I stand by myself".

HIV & Age

You can grow old with HIV today. For today's 50-plus generation, this has not been a matter of course for so long. They had to experience the emergence of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s: Many friends died and successful treatment options did not yet exist. Our role model Guido shows what it's like to grow old as a gay HIV-positive man.

But you can't just grow old with HIV. You can also become infected with the virus in old age. This is because it is wrong to assume that you can no longer have sex at the age of 50 and that there is no risk situation.

„I was tested HIV-positive in 1998“

In this clip, he explains what the test result meant for Guido, how his partner reacted and how he is coping with the infection today. And there's more: Guido has some good tips on growing older as a gay man - regardless of whether you are HIV-positive or not.

More from Guido in the blog

In the blog, Guido talks in detail about his HIV diagnosis, his long partnership and what moves him today as he grows older.

To the blog

Guido in the video

In the video, Guido talks openly about his HIV diagnosis, health challenges, his long relationship and growing older as a gay man.

Further articles on ageing

Personal stories, experiences and perspectives on ageing, health, relationships and living with HIV.

Symbolic image on the topic of growing old with community in the multi-generation house in Berlin
Community

Growing old without being alone...

Guido and his partner stand close together in front of a dark blue-green background.
Community

Guido tells his story

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