Injectable PrEP, Cultural Stigma, and Privacy: Junye Ma
Junye Ma, Professional Headshot
Junye Ma (he/him) has been taking injectable PrEP since January 2023 (so almost a year, as of writing), and he has a lot to say about it. He’s enthusiastic about PrEP4Teens because he used to be one of us—a team member just as the project was getting off the ground. Now, he’s a doctoral student in a joint program in San Diego, living large in one of the gayest, most accepting places in the world.
“I'm definitely lucky. I don't take it for granted because I'm in… a very liberal state [which] happens to have an HIV specific clinic associated with my university,” he says. Junye’s time in San Diego, including talking to his PCP about PrEP, has been a welcoming one, though he realizes that many folks in other places don’t have the same experiences.
Even in open, welcoming spaces, Junye recognizes that many folks may struggle with being able to speak to their provider about PrEP. He suggests bringing it up in the moments when it’s already relevant to help bridging the gap seem easier, like when the provider is already asking those uncomfortable questions about your sex life.
“I think what really started the conversation is like during your routine annual physicals, people will ask you about your sexual experiences. Some of the questions may be very explicit, like, ‘Oh, were you receiving, giving, or XYZ?’ So I think… going into those appointments, just know that those questions will be discussed so… take those conversations as like an opportunity to be like, ‘Since we’re talking about sexual health… do you have any advice to protect me better’ as a gateway to, ‘I’ve heard about this thing called PrEP.’”
It was in these conversations that Junye and his provider landed on injectable PrEP as the better option for him—Junye calls himself “horrible at remembering things”—and it’s what he’s been on since. He notes very minor symptoms outside of some injection site soreness and says that his nurse switches the injection side each time so one side isn’t taking too many shots.
He also notes that injectable PrEP offers something that, in his opinion, oral PrEP doesn’t (at least, not to the same degree): privacy.
“I feel like most POC communities tend to be more on the conservative side when it comes to sexual health or like taking a pill. [For] that part, I just selectively tell people about me being on PrEP… That's another benefit of the injectable’s privacy. They don't know. Like, how would you know if I don't tell you?”
“I have this agency… I have the agency to disclose as much information as I want to.”
Junye also notes that choosing who to share this information with isn’t in any way about being ashamed of your identity—rather, it’s about focusing on your own well-being.
“It's kinda like… pick your battles. If there are strategies or ways for you to minimize your stress, why would you go out there… and stress yourself by outing yourself to everybody?”
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