Advice on Forgiving my HIV Infector

NSFW

I’m a 23 year old. Recently, diagnosed after a good friend and I hooked up. He had told me he had been tested very recently and was on prep. Turns out very recently was five years ago🤦. We are in a pretty large friend group, and I told other people about it and they were naturally curious about how it happened. I did tell them and mentioned that it was our friend who gave it to me. I don’t feel bad about it. I know with 100% certainty he gave it to me, and he did lie to me so I feel no way about telling the truth. I met a super awesome guy who doesn’t care and is my boyfriend now. He is kind of a jackass to the guy who gave it to me (honestly one of my favorite things about him). The hardest thing by far will be telling my parents. My parents are Iranian, and although I know they love me and are fairly liberal compared to some other Iranians (ie: they are Christian’s), there will definitely be judgement there. I also know I need to forgive my friend. I’ve said some not-so-nice things like “what kind of 35 year old lies and infects a 23 year old with HIV.” I know it was wrong to say these things, and I am at least partially responsible for not being on PReP, but I can’t help but feel betrayed by what was a good friend of mine, someone I in a weird way saw as a mature father figure. Coincidentally, he is now lying to a new guy who he is dating and does not know his status. I know it’s not personal and he’s just a liar, but I wish he could see that my relationship is proof that honesty and disclosure are rewarding. Does anyone have any advice on forgiveness or telling conservative family?

Posted Jun 30, 2025, 3:17 AM UTC

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