Proud: Beyond HIV Status - Living Fully

I am HIV-positive.

I am a gay man.

I am a son.

I am a brother.

I am a lover.

I am PROUD.

Out, loud, and proud

On my journey in life, being proud is something that I always feel. I do not only feel proud around pride season. I am proud to be an HIV-positive man.

I have spent way too much time early on in my diagnosis worrying about what other people thought about me. I am proud to be living my most authentic and transparent life. I take pride in being an advocate for my community.

I continue to do the work that I do each day to be a voice for those who may not be able to tell the world that they are living with HIV. I am proud to be part of the LGBTQ community and to stand in my truth.

I work for an LGBTQ organization, and I continuously give back each day. I want to ensure that my community is being highlighted and given the respect and love that they deserve.

Building stronger connections

The past year I have built an even stronger relationship with my family. I have grown wiser and have realized how fortunate I am to have such a beautiful support system in my life. I am proud to be a son and a brother.

In the past, I have spent a lot of my free time with friends out at places like bars and clubs. In the last few months that has all changed, and I have been spending more time with family. My sisters are not children anymore and I really do enjoy spending quality time with them. I try to create outings with my mother and sisters a few times a month because I see how proud my mother is of me when I do.

My mother loves when I reach out to her to ask her to come with me to an event or gathering. In the past few years, I have been able to bring my mother with me to events related to HIV/AIDS and have educated her on many new things.

Building stronger relationships

The past year and a half I have been proud to be with my loving partner. We are in a monogamous relationship and currently live together. We are trying to grow our family by searching for another puppy.

We currently have a Shiba Inu named Kobe who has been the best fur baby anyone could ask for. I take pride in finding such an amazing person to spend my life with after many failed attempts at love in my past.

As some of you may know, I contracted HIV from my very first partner who I was with for almost 2 years. I have had my fair share of challenges when it comes to dating so I am grateful to have this relationship now.

I am proud of all of my identities, relationships and accomplishments. Pride is not only something that you feel around Pride Season, but something that you should feel all year round.