Articles

My quality of life has been poor for some time now. I’m making progress but very slowly, in my opinion. As I age I am noticing a decrease in my...

I was diagnosed with chronic migraine in 2009. Since then, I have tried a variety of treatment options. These treatments range from medications to procedures and alternative approaches. Unfortunately, none...

Here I am on the cusp of celebrating 40 years of being positive. There is nothing like an extra illness over the holidays. Cancel, cancel, reschedule, cancel again... For a...

As a volunteer, I have the privilege to guest lecture at various high schools, colleges, and universities, teaching HIV 101 and accentuating with my personal experience of living with HIV...

I would not be where I am today without community support. Community support is so vital when it comes to someone living with HIV. At the beginning of my diagnosis...

This is the 30th year that some type of HIV testing has been a part of my life. From the first confirmation that I was HIV positive to checking on...

Journalism is invisible advocacy for me, I have been writing since high school. I have been blogging about living with HIV on a national level for almost as long as...

Stigma, in my opinion, is a complex and formidable obstacle hindering the eradication of new HIV transmissions. Its pervasive nature, deeply ingrained in our society, stems from the fear that...

It was 1985 and a good year until... "You're positive; put your life in order. You'll be dead in 18 to 24 months." The pronouncement was just that - blunt...

When my partner died of AIDS, the world became a maelstrom of dark emotions and platitudes. At the end of his lingering illness, what was left was fast-tracked to cremation...

Doctors have known for years that a small number of people with HIV maintain an undetectable viral load without taking HIV medicines. Called HIV controllers, elite controllers, or exceptional elite...

I have been very fortunate to have a great deal of love and support after sharing my diagnoses. My family has been the standard barer of what I would wish...

Toward the end of each year, we observe World AIDS Day on December 1 and reflect personally on the ups and downs of the year before. Start your new year...

In the world of HIV advocacy, language is powerful. As an advocate, I have often found myself in spaces where we are united in our mission to end stigma around...

I shared my HIV status with my husband on the very first day that we met. This was in 1998, and it was a risky thing to share. HIV stigma...

I have been living with HIV for over a decade now and it has been a journey full of obstacles, growth, and success. I never thought that I would be...

In 1988, I met an AIDS activist, and my life was forever changed. It was during my high school years when I first heard of GRID (Gay-Related Immune Deficiency) on...

I always try to recognize days that my community celebrates and that would get people together for a good cause or a special moment. We all know that Halloween is...

Content Note: This article describes sexual assault. If you or a loved one are struggling, consider reading our mental health resources page. We often find ourselves on paths that diverge...

What is the most challenging act of forgiveness you have ever had to do? I began to understand what it meant to forgive someone when I learned I was HIV...