By
Updated 2 years ago,September 18, 2023
I was once labeled the accidental activist.
Overnight my story wentviral.
Headlines from publications like The Hollywood Report stated ABC Correspondent Reveals Hes HIV Positive.
The Daily Mail was quick to tell everyone, ABC red carpet reporter, 37 reveals hes HIV positive.
Why did they care?
How did this become a story?
Friends across the country in the news business didnt understand why this was even a news story.
Frankly, neither did I I mean who am I?
But to my friends not living with HIV, the question was why is HIV still relevant?
Dont you just pop a few pills and youre done with it?
HIV hasnt been a big story since the advent of ARVs.
I had lived with HIV for almost 10 years at that point.
I went to the best doctors and yet,I had no idea what U=U was.
Those two data points lit a lightbulb in my head.
I wasnt looking to become avoicein the HIV/AIDS fight.
But my revelation sparked a discussion about HIV.
And then it went away but I knew it shouldnt / wouldnt / couldnt.
Thats why I created +LIFE media to keep the conversation going and to fight stigma.
We talk to EVERYONE about HIV.
I feel it from inside the community as well.
At one fundraising event, the head of another media company introduced themselves as the enemy.
Arent we all working towards the same thing?
Those who have gone through trauma know that no two traumas can or should be compared.
But they can be healed if we standtogether.
Lets find a way to be one community standing together to fight asone.
Fuck waiting for 2030 or any of these sexy timeline goals.
