Navigating Herpes Disclosure: Sharing Your Story and Setting Boundaries
While disclosing one’s herpes status is necessary for informed consent, you’re not obligated to share your herpes story with your sexual partners.
Many partners who lack information about herpes are suddenly confronted with their internal stigmas upon someone’s disclosure. It’s a natural, and human, response to want to know why, how, or when something happened to someone—but it doesn’t mean that it’s a necessary or right to ask.
Herpes stories are personal, emotional, and often layered. Filled with confusion, isolation, surprise, amidst many other feelings that folks might still be working through. Some folks may have contracted herpes in situations of abuse or where consent was lacking.
Your herpes story is yours to share with those you choose to if and when you’re ready.