Understanding Herpes Rejection: Why Potential Partners Say No
A few reasons why a potential partner might reject someone with herpes...
1. They are uneducated (and likely miseducated) about herpes and other STIs
2. They don’t know how to navigate Sex with someone who has herpes (and might be afraid to admit that)
3. They’ve never engaged in safer sex conversations with partners
4. This is the first time they’re confronting STI stigma
5. They don’t know their own STI status and fear testing (because of stigma)
It’s often easier to find a “fault” in someone else as reason for rejection than turning inward, especially when so much of society is in agreement about the stigmas and stereotypes of STIs, especially herpes. I hope that with increases in comprehensive and positive resources (like those on Instagram) bring more awareness and educations to these conversations.