In early June, during one of his stand-up comedy routines in Nashville, Tracy Morgan made some anti-gay remarks that didn't come across as a laughing matter. During what has been described as a rant, Morgan said he would kill his son if he learned he was gay. The...
Blog
The “Ready to Live” Music Video Shoot
Last Monday Gwenn, two friends (thanks Sara and Ben for coming along!) and I hit the road for the two-hour drive to DC to participate in an HIV/AIDS anti-stigma music video. The day went very smoothly outside of the fact that Gwenn was feeling a bit under the...
30 Years of AIDS, A Personal Timeline
Today marks 30 years since the first report on what would become known as AIDS was published. Poz interviewed the doctor, Michael Gottlieb, who penned that report for the latest issue of their magazine. Poz has also compiled a timeline of the epidemic, which is worth...
Congratulations Micah and Christina
Over the weekend, I had the honor of officiating the wedding of my good friends Christina and Micah. Some months ago, at the coffee shop (where else?), they asked if I would do it, and they seemed surprised when I quickly said "Sure!". A few years ago, I'd officiated...
Casting Call: DC Anti-Stigma Video… We Need YOU!
On Monday, June 6, Gwenn and I will be participating in an anti-stigma music video to help people with HIV feel like exactly what they are- productive, meaningful members of society. The director, Monte Montgomery, has done some great videos already. Check them...
Bad Blood Airing on PBS in June
Last year I got to speak with Marilyn Ness for Poz about her documentary, Bad Blood, which details the treatment history of people living with hemophilia and how that ran headfirst into the AIDS crisis, forcing the bleeding disorders community to spearhead safety...
Guilty of “Being Positive” While Being Raped?
Everyone has heard about the white-collared, white-haired sexual assault case that occurred in NYC. The season finale of Saturday Night Live began with a parody starring the comical likeness of the assailant. If you're not familiar, basically a rich, high-standing...
Happy Birthday to Gwenn
The love of my life. Thanks for making this journey worthwhile. I love you with all of my positoid heart!Positively Yours,Shawn
The Fiji Mermaid, Coney Island and Acting Scared
Gwenn and I spent the weekend on Coney Island. We were there to film a horror short, conceived by local artist Russell Richards, in which I agreed last year to play the role of the film's lead. It's about a young man who has lost the love of his life-...
Brain Drain & HIV
I don't carry around a lot of concerns about my health as it relates to HIV. Being diagnosed at age 11, and now living happily in my mid-30s, my view of living with HIV has gone from the early days of "I'll deal with this on my deathbed" to "I'll do my best to...