Diagnosed HIV positive after a high-risk mix of unprotected sex and needle-sharing, he was given 10 years to live.

He came home to Wagga from Sydney with the sole intention of his life “finalisation”.

“It was frightening,” Gordon said, who is identified only by his middle name to protect his anonymity. 

“Imagine being given 10 years to live – a death sentence. It came because I did all the things I shouldn’t have been doing … I thought I was invincible.”

Gordon is one of many Wagga locals living in the community with HIV, as the city readies to mark World AIDS Day.

Promoted as a time to show support for HIV positive people such as Gordon, the day coincides with an art exhibition, Capturing the local experience of HIV.

It promises to bring the disease out of the shadows, breaking down social taboos.

“There is still a stigma attached with HIV, there will always be a stigma to it,” Gordon said.

“It mainly comes from uneducated people. Education is the key, it should be in our schools – it’s so important.”

Wagga sexual health nurse Jen Macleod said the major misnomer was how you caught HIV.

“You can’t catch it by kissing or hugging,” she said.

“You have to have unprotected sex or share needles.

“The most effective way for people to protect themselves and their partners is to consistently use condoms and have regular HIV and STI testing.”

Ms Macleod said a diagnosis with HIV was no longer a death sentence.

“People living with HIV have the same life expectancy as anyone else,” she said.

As for Gordon, he’s lived with HIV for 27 years.

“My life is now a positive life,” he said.

The art exhibition takes place from December 1 to 18 at the Eastern Riverina Arts office on Fitzmaurice Street.

Gordon will enter a portrait of his idol, “perpetual Miss Wagga”, who is a familiar face at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

HIV and STI testing is available at the Wagga Sexual Health Clinic at 79 Brookong Avenue. For more information, see health.nsw.gov.au/sexualhealth