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Home / Center News / Mingo’s Story: Condoms for Peace-of-Mind

Mingo’s Story: Condoms for Peace-of-Mind

July 26, 2018 by LGBT Life Center Leave a Comment

My name is Mingo!  I’m 33-years old and I was born and raised in Norfolk, VA. When you hear “Willie Mingo”, you hear a person that is kind, always smiling, very humble, outgoing, down to earth, and a person that always smells good! I’m a very outgoing person. I treat people how I would like to be treated. I believe a hug and a smile goes a long way.

I’m an openly gay male, but I don’t like to label myself. The only label I put on me are my clothes (LOL)!  When I told my family I was gay… actually they knew before I told them (your family knows before you do)… my mother and family were and always have been supportive. The main thing my mother wants me to be is safe.

Back in the day, I had slip-ups by not using a condom or grabbing for condoms and then taking it off, especially when you want to “get done and be done.” I remember one time I had unprotected sex and I thought I was getting sick, like sweating at night. I would run to the internet and look up chills and read the symptoms of HIV and freak myself out. I did not like that scared feeling. Now, I play it safe and use condoms.

 


L.I.F.E team members have worked in the local community to identify role models. Role models are not perfect people. These individuals are committed to assisting the L.I.F.E project by providing their personal perspective and story of practicing safer sex behaviors and supporting efforts that prevent the spread of HIV.

To learn more or join us visit the Life757 page: www.lgbtlifecenter.org/life757

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Filed Under: Center News, Health Tagged With: Role Model Story

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