battling stigma

Last weekend I got the pleasure to present at the Let's Talk About Sex Conference out in Dallas, Texas with Olivia Ford.

Dear young person who has gone public... Take it easy on yourself. Don't be hard on yourself. Do practice self-love. When I went public with my status, I received overwhelming response from young...

As part of a collaboration with our longtime partner organization Christie's Place, The Well Project shares stories in English and Spanish from the book Healing Hope: A woven tapestry of strength and solace as blog entries on our A Girl Like Me platform under the blog name "Healing Hope."

I was honoured to be selected by IAS to participate at the 24th International AIDS Conference. AIDS2022 took in place in Montreal between 27 July and 2 August.

This blog was not easy to write… Yes, HIV took my motherhood… Back in those times when I was diagnosed, we had no medicine. At least, I didn't have any access to treatment in Colombia, my country...

I am understanding the trauma I have experienced and how it has affected me. I have done nothing wrong, there is no one to blame. Life circumstances create opportunities for personal growth.

I have been mostly isolated with my HIV status and now welcome my commitment of integrating life experience to be an advocate voice to end HIV stigma.

I practice getting in my own way like it's an artform. Sometimes, when things seem to be going really smoothly, I experience this sense of uneasiness like I'm waiting for the next trauma to unravel in front of me like a red carpet.

This weekend I was invited by Brandon O'Dell, director of the Amsterdam Dinner Foundation to celebrate 30 (!) years of support to the HIV community.

Tip: Can't nobody take your voice. It's yours. I mean, people always have the choice of ignoring you. But that doesn't mean shut up.