If you were born after 1970, chances are that you usually hear the word “safe” whenever sex is mentioned. Many Generation X-ers have never thought about sex without also being aware of the consequences – including AIDS.

The early ’80s were not just known for the pop music of Kajagoogoo but also for the onset of the AIDS epidemic. People were suddenly made aware that they could die from unprotected sex.

“Jeffrey,” the main character in the play of the same name, epitomizes this phenomena.

And he gives up sex in response.

“Jeffrey” is an off-Broadway play about gay life in the ’90s.

Before the popular TV show “Will and Grace” came along, playwright Paul Rudnick took a look at another version of the life of a gay man living in a big city. The difference between the “Will and Grace”-era portrayal of homosexual life and the play is that “Jeffrey” was originally staged in the ’80s, when AIDS was still considered a taboo subject.

Most theaters refused to even consider performing a play with such controverisal topics as homosexuality and AIDS, says Todd Buchacker, director of the StageWest Theater Company’s version of the play.

But one theater in New York took a chance and now the romantic comedy “Jeffrey” is a critically acclaimed play, Buchacker says.

Some elements of the play may be a little outdated, like the Mother Theresa character, but that makes no difference, Buchacker says. The themes of fear of intimacy and relationships are timeless issues that everyone can relate to.

Although the play has a very serious topic as the theme, it is dealt with in such a way that usually induces laughter instead of tears.

“If there was a time in which an audience member might shed a tear, seconds later they will porbably be laughing,” Buchacker says.

Ron Lambert, StageWest Theater artistic director, says that the topic is dealt with in a positive way. It is recognized as a very real subject, and yet teaches people to have hope and to deal with tribulations with a sense of humor.

“It is a well-written script, fun to read, and ever more exciting to see it done,” says Wendy Quick, assistant director and stage manager.

Actors Mark Maddy and Andrew Rosene took their roles seriously as soon as they were cast last October. Maddy plays “Steve,” Jeffrey’s HIV-positive love interest. Rosene plays six different characters throughout the play.

“Steve” makes the decision to live his life to the fullest and be happy. He is looking for love and acceptance in every aspect of his life, which is the underlining theme of the play, Maddy says.

Rosene says he would “like to have the audience feel more comfortable with the subject matter, and to understand the ableness to have meaningful, happy relationships.”

The production runs June 1 to 2 and 7 to 9 at 8 p.m., and June 3 and 10 at 3 p.m. General admission tickets, which are $14, are available at the Civic Center Box Office in Des Moines, or through Ticketmaster.