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This is so inspiring to read. David, You are awesome in conveyin your thoughts, emotions..experienced you have gone through in almost three decades. I absolutely can sympathize with you. I can't imagine explaining and telling, exposing my status to friends, colleagues if I don't know much the language. I am learning everyday and will continue to do so. This is a universal struggle, we all have to face either in America or in a landlocked country like Laos, much worse. Keep writing and I would love to know more. Suli NYC
This is so inspiring to read. David, You are awesome in conveyin your thoughts, emotions..experienced you have gone through in almost three decades. I absolutely can sympathize with you. I can't imagine explaining and telling, exposing my status to friends, colleagues if I don't know much the language. I am learning everyday and will continue to do so. This is a universal struggle, we all have to face either in America or in a landlocked country like Laos, much worse. Keep writing and I would love to know more. Suli NYC
David, Your story was shared in detail of an awesome writer but more importantly it was truth. Your years of being POZ creates an WOW within. I was diagnosed in September 2005 and I hope for an outcome similar to yours(I'm 35 yrs old). Yes, stigma; you are right. I hope that time will allow all of us the courage to share our stories with the world so that we can be truly known completely and that true love can be felt, and that a cure can be found. Unfortunately, I think courage must be present before world acceptance. I wish you many years of happiness. Kirk
Hi David ~ i enjoyed reading your blog - you are a very gifted writer, and a blessed POZ. I wish you the best, and I wish for the day when disclosing that you are living positively does not bring stigma and discrimination. Thanks for sharing your story. Simon, I know that you are scarred, but part of being a healthy adult includes sexual contact (healthy, safe sex). Please do not be afraid to re-enter that aspect of living... Imani
Thank-you David for your intelligent, articulate writing. You are quite right in that there is still very much a stigma attached to being HIV+. I was diagnosed in Spain, two years ago, and every doctor and nurse told me: "Don't tell ANYBODY!!!" which made me feel really good. In fact I had to tell my partner, and two or three carefully-chosen friends..... But the stigma of being Poz is often self-inflicted and yes, I do feel shop-soiled, or like used goods.....and have not yet dared tell any new romantic aquaintances that I am Poz. I also have not dared have any "real" sex, in case I infect anyone. We need more people like David to write his innermost thoughts, and I for one will continue to read his words. Simon.
Hi David, As you can see by the response to your heartfelt blog, you are not alone. I too received my HIV diagnosis in January of 1988 and could have been infected as early as 1981. In 2006, I retired at 47 after 23 years in the banking industry with the same financial institution. What I actually did was "rewire" as I have a new life in the non-profit arts world where my talents and business expertise are very much appreciated. Quite a journey for someone who was told they would be lucky to make it to 30. David, your story is beautiful and I pray that you will share it openly with others and spread the good news of love and healing. Gary in Dallas
While I am a gay man, this describes my story to an eerie degree of similarity. You are doing a good thing with this position, keep it up. I am going on 25 years, and history does indeed repeat itself. Will the stigma forever be our Damocles sword?
Gord
As many have commented, I too thank you for your words, David. I contracted the virus on Christmas Eve, 1982, the very first Christmas I did not go home to be with my family to spend the holidays. I am not a 'believer', particularly, but often pondered if that was my punishment for not making the effort to trek home for what had become an almost sacred family gathering. I hung out out in a crowded bar that Christmas Eve. The man I spent that night with and several more after that, died four years later of AIDS. I was emotionless when I heard the news. He had become a great AIDS activist in Vancouver and did much to advance help to gay men in the area. It is a blur how many dinner parties I sat though staring silently, while the others raved about his great achievements. In my eyes his only achievement was destroying the spirit, if not life of a vibrant, optimistic 22 year old man...me. He knew he was positive the night we met and had unprotected sex, an yet ignored the fact he was taking another (of how many?) down with him. All these years I had never been able to criticize his blatant disregard for another's life, as his near 'sainthood' would overridden my comments as those of some bitter, perhaps jealous individual. I am happy I have had the chance to tell some of you who may read this now. I feel better for it David. It was your words that encouraged me to reveal mine, for some reason. So after 25 years I feel a bit lighter! A happier man today....Thanks!
February 18, 2008