If HIV-negative men were more assertive about their status, they could take on a fairer share of responsibility in regard to HIV prevention. HIV-positive men have their own status to manage. It's not their responsibility to manage yours too, but it seems that they're expected to do so.

By passing the Real Education for Health Youth Act, we would ensure that Americans know their bodies, know their health and are empowered through comprehensive sexual education programs to make healthy and responsible decisions about sexual health.

The documentary Sex Positive looks at the life of Mr. Berkowitz, a writer and former sex worker and the author of Stayin' Alive: The Invention of Safe Sex. Mr. Berkowitz continues to tour and speak about HIV/AIDS, and he took time to speak with me in early January.

Though there were not as many spectacular sexual implosions in 2012 (remember 2011's Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Herman Cain and Jerry Sandusky?), there were still significant political and social developments that will have implications for healthy sex for years to come.