Why Publicly Discussing My HIV-Positive Status Was the Best Decision I've Made
I often think about the responsibilities I have—the debt I owe, in a way—to those who came before me. I've been successful in my life, but I'm a gay man, living in 2016, in what will soon be Donald Trump's America. I'm also HIV-positive.
There's a responsibility in being HIV-positive, especially if you're going to be out about it. I take that seriously. I'm still stigmatized for my status. It can be, and remains, a difficult road to hope. At the same time, because this is 2016 and I have access to medication, my life is as normal as anyone else's.
I came out publicly with my HIV status earlier this year on Facebook, and in an interview at Poz.com. It was a long time coming. I was partly inspired by a friend, Shawn Decker, who wrote a book called My Pet Virus about being HIV-positive. He asked me speak about my status. Everyone in my life knew, and I was open and honest with them, but I had never spoken about it in a public way.
I often think about the responsibilities I have—the debt I owe, in a way—to those who came before me. I've been successful in my life, but I'm a gay man, living in 2016, in what will soon be Donald Trump's America. I'm also HIV-positive.
There's a responsibility in being HIV-positive, especially if you're going to be out about it. I take that seriously. I'm still stigmatized for my status. It can be, and remains, a difficult road to hope. At the same time, because this is 2016 and I have access to medication, my life is as normal as anyone else's.
I came out publicly with my HIV status earlier this year on Facebook, and in an interview at Poz.com. It was a long time coming. I was partly inspired by a friend, Shawn Decker, who wrote a book called My Pet Virus about being HIV-positive. He asked me speak about my status. Everyone in my life knew, and I was open and honest with them, but I had never spoken about it in a public way.
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