The 1st of December, World AIDS Day, is not simply a date on the calendar. It is a moment to pause and look honestly at where we come from, what we have learned, and how we treat one another. For decades, HIV and AIDS shaped the lives, fears and relationships of men all over the world. Many of us grew up in the shadow of that trauma, and many others still live with the virus today, navigating the weight of stigma that should have disappeared long ago.

This day is not only about loss. It is also about the people who are here now, living full lives, building relationships, exploring desire, and refusing to be reduced to a diagnosis. HIV is not shame, it is not a moral failure, and it has never been a measure of anyone’s worth. It is a virus. Nothing more, nothing less.

Thanks to the work of scientists, activists and communities, we now know far more than we once did. The principle that undetectable = untransmittable has reshaped how we connect with one another. Someone who maintains an undetectable viral load cannot pass on the virus through sex. This is not wishful thinking. It is well-established fact, and it has dismantled years of fear that once governed intimacy.

Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PreP) has also transformed prevention. Regular testing has become a simple act of care. Honest conversations have replaced silence. These tools exist for a reason, and they only work when we use them without shame or hesitation.

Batemates is a space built around pleasure, connection and mutual understanding. Behind all the sexual energy lies something deeper: a sense of brotherhood, of looking out for one another, of being present when someone needs support or clarity. When communities ignore HIV, stigma grows. When communities talk openly, stigma loses its power.

If Batemates is to be more than a place where men come to share moments of release, then we have to treat each other with respect, curiosity and compassion. HIV positive men deserve to feel welcome, safe and seen. HIV negative men have a responsibility to stay informed and to challenge outdated fears instead of feeding them. No one is served by silence.

World AIDS Day is an invitation to remember, but also to do better. It asks us to acknowledge the people who are no longer here and to stand with those who are. It reminds us that knowledge is not only protection but also a foundation for more honest, confident and joyful intimacy.

We honor the past not by being afraid of each other, but by taking care of one another. And in a community like Batemates, that is something we can actively choose, every day.

Earlier this year, we released an episode of our podcast in which one of our own community members, JBatorGoon, speaks openly about living with HIV, breaking down stigma through honesty and lived experience. It is a powerful reminder of what openness can do, and we invite everyone to have a listen.