As a local Foster Youth, LGBTQIA, and HIV/AIDS activist, I continue to advocate for foster youth, both working with youth during the coming out process, and during the transitional age of 18-24, linking young adults to housing, education and employment resources.
My journey with HIV brought me to the Mother, Child and Adolescent Program (MCAP) at UC San Diego, where I continue to volunteer my time and story as a speaker for events and workshops. At the age of 24 I had aged out of the MCAP program. Sad and betrayed I knew I had to come up with my own support group. I wanted a support group not only for HIV/AIDS positive individuals but more so for anyone interested in joining and getting some support. I know that the primary source to one’s health is having support. I unfortunately do not have that support besides my group I created. I wanted a group where we can discuss crucial topics such as disclosure; better health ways; keeping your numbers up; personal goals; what to do now that you are HIV/AIDS positive; as well as targeting transgender individuals that are HIV/AIDS positive. Before I was even diagnosed I did not know anything about HIV/AIDS. I did not know how risky it can be and easy it is to contract it, although I got the disease by being raped. After knowing how easy it is to contract it and share it, I knew that I had to do something. I decided to bring up the so controversial topic to anyone and everyone that I could. Thus I am an educator on HIV/AIDS as well as many other topics I educate on. Furthermore, I would like to encourage all of you out there that are newly or already diagnosed to find that Support and get your health if not Good then Better!!
Why Prizila wants to be part of A Girl Like Me: I think it's important for me to be a blogger for The Well Project because I want to be able to share my story as an HIV positive queer non binary Latina, be able to reach out to others out there who might be on the same path as me, and to encourage them. But also to be able to work with other amazing woman leaders out there!!!!!
