battling stigma

HIV and Me… All in the name of finding a cure what I did. I diagnosed myself in 2000, but at that time there was no public information about the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). My whole world...

Being an advocate, I'm subjected to some not so favorable experiences. Cure fanatics who believe me to be ignorant for not at least trying herbalist options. People who assume I, and every other HIV...

This blog was translated from Spanish. Read the original, "Introducción - Erika" here. Hi! I am Erika Castellanos. I am a transgender woman living with HIV from Belize. (You don't know where Belize is...

Hola! Mi nombre es Erika Castellanos. Soy una mujer Trans de Belice. (¿No sabes dónde está localizado Belice? (Psst!! Belice es un pequeño país anglo-parlante en Centro América!) Soy fundadora y...

So, I am sitting here waiting for a person to walk through the doors to get tested. I have everything laid out and ready to go. You know how we do when we are getting ready to go out to a dance or a...

Have you ever just wanted to take a break? Being an advocate, our work can become very overwhelming and lonely and our brains are in overdrive. This year I decided to take a break because I was...

Cuando fui invitada por Poject Zero a presentar en Fort Walton Beach en la Positive Living Conference 2015, fue oportunidad para mi cuando tuve oportunidad en pedir ayuda para mi comunidad transgénero en Broward County

It's such a recurring theme that I have to calm down before actually sitting down to blog. I have to make it known that even I face adversity and people should realize that I am a person. I'm humbly...

I had given up on being an advocate. I didn't want to travel. I didn't want to speak my truth to strangers. I didn't want to be involved with World AIDS Day 2015 or The National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS. I wanted a normal life with balance.

#CharlieSheen has brought back the passion in me because I realize that I have to continue educating the world! much ignorance and stigma continues.