For a long time one of my biggest fears about living with HIV has been the effects on the brain. Several years ago I leaned into that, which unexpectedly led to a diagnosis of ADHD after some testing. It's understandable how something like Attention Deficit Disorder...
HIV/AIDS
The Back-To-School Special About Disclosure
With school starting up again, I decided to take the opportunity to discuss one of the biggest hurdles for people living with HIV: disclosure. For many years, I never thought I'd even openly discuss HIV. I'm thankful that, when I was ready, I was in a safe space to do...
Some Of My Life Essentials As A HIV Longterm Survivor
There are a lot of factors as to why I'm able to live the life I am today. Part of being a longterm survivor, for me, is gratitude and understanding of the safety nets I had (supportive family, safe roof over my head, etc) growing up. I was fortunate that, by the time...
My Top 5 POZ Magazine Blog Posts of 2022
I have had very active blogging fingers. The last year certainly gave me a lot to write about. Most significantly, the passing of my mom... and her messages to me from beyond the grave (which I'm still, and will always be, receiving). I also gave some flowers to one...
Long-Term Survivin’ and Thrivin’
Mark S. King caught up with Tez Anderson, founder of Let’s Kick ASS (AIDS Survival Syndrome), at the International AIDS Conference in Montreal and it’s a conversation worth reading. Any longterm survivor can relate to the wear and tear of HIV and the side effects that...
The Importance of HIV/STD Testing
A lot of times when people delay getting tested for HIV and STDs, it is because of the stigma. Or simply not wanting to know the actual answer to a question that your brain cannot seem to turn off. But the reasons for knowing your status should trump your fears,...
March 26, 1987: My Diagnosis Date With Destiny
When I tested positive for HIV at age 11 I'd already lived my "kid life", as I call it, around medical conditions. I had a good decade without this virus, a stable home and the bleeding disorder, hemophilia, that I'd been born with didn't prevent me from playing farm...
50. Pedro Zamora Would Have Turned 50-Years Old Today.
Today Pedro Zamora would have turned 50. Last December, I blogged about what would have been Ryan White's 50th birthday. I never really knew that they were the same age until now, partly because it seems like people we lose are forever frozen at the age that they...
HIV… What’s Love Got to Do With It? Everything.
Valentine's Day is here again! I remember signing valentine's day cards for my classmates when I was a little dunderhead. Someone's stock would go way up if they got you a comic book character valentine. Or a hard piece of gum that never spoils. Then god knows when...
Is Kanye West Telling Friends That Pete Davidson Has AIDS?
I was all set to chill out and play some video games, and then a gossip site ran a story suggesting that Kanye West is telling people that Pete Davidson has AIDS. I know, that's a lot to take in. Just focus on the someone using AIDS as an attempt at slander. I'll...