Nineteen years ago, I never imagined that I would one day have the strength to speak openly about my status in a leading HIV magazine. But here I am.
To share your story publicly, especially with strangers, is not easy. But it's powerful. Because you never know who's listening, who's waiting for confirmation that they're not alone...
When diagnosed, a person confides in me and trusts my guidance and love. I kill stigma one day, one person at a time. Doors are opening and I feel alive.
I share this journey with you all because I feel safety in our sisterhood. I have a safe place to live. My outreach is thriving. I owe all this to a new perspective on me.
When we, as a community, have access to support, treatment, care, resources, a stake in what actually happens in our lives – we can change the trajectory of bloodlines for generations to come.
He fought for all of us. For every person whose voice was being overlooked, Bryan showed up, spoke up, and stood in the gap. He was power, purpose, and love in motion.
It was from the second class that I really understood that I am HIV-positive. Since then, nothing was the same as before.
Let's support local HIV action to continue bringing positive changes to our HIV communities!
If I can be such an inspiration to others, I must treat myself with the same love I freely give...
Last year when visiting my HIV allies in South Korea I realized that HIV stigma is still very high in South Korea, so even today you will hardly see people open about HIV.