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I can!

Advocate, The, Dec 5, 2006

How does an activist make a difference in this world a quarter century after HIV was discovered? With passion--and without apology for a thriving existence, of course. Whether they're running their own organizations, crisscrossing the nation on speaking tours, or displaying their motivation in other ways, these young leaders are showing that they can and will create the change that makes the lives of HIVers better and respected.

Jonathan Perry 29 years old, Atlanta Diagnosed in 2001

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I believe current anti-HIV messages are ineffectual for my community because they lack two key elements that motivate us: hope and inspiration. Why move forward with no hope of a destination? We need to remove the doom from an HIV diagnosis and give people a reason to live, Right now a lot of us living with HIV don't have one. When I was at Johnson C. Smith University in North Carolina there was a rumor going around that I was dying. There is nothing you can tell about me that I will not tell you first. I could have said nothing and let these people continue to believe I was dying, or I could reclaim my power and walk firmly and unapologetically. When I am public about my HIV, this is my destiny of choice, not because I chose to get Infected but because I made the choice to live through the fire and not be consumed by it. I can't save the world, but for the ones I can help, I know that my speaking out matters to them. I CAN inspire other black people with messages of hope and responsibility, not judgment or ethical imperatives.

William Brawner 27 years old, Philadelphia Diagnosed in 1980

I believe that the world must see an African-American heterosexual male who looks great, has a master's level education, and has been HIV-positive for over 25 years. When I tell people who I am, my status, and everything that I have been through, many have a difficult time believing it. That is exactly why my disclosure is so important. When I was a child, there was no place other than summer camp for HIV-positive kids where I could be myself. But that was for only one week out of the entire year. The rest of the year I lived in silence and denial. It was as a young adult that I told myself that I would create a place for children like me to be comfortable throughout the year. I CAN make a difference by being transparent and letting others know who I am and what I go through as an HIV-positive man.

Christina Rock 22 years old, Los Angeles Diagnosed in 1986

It took me until I was 19 to be comfortable with being public about my status. Before then, I felt so isolated and alone. I didn't really know many people with HIV, and there were even fewer whom I felt I could relate to. When I was 13, though, a group called the AIDS Brigade came to my middle school and talked about HIV. That was the first time I had ever seen someone publicly say they were HIV-positive. In a single hour those people changed my life. Maybe someone I speak to is in the same place as I was then, and just maybe, hearing my story might help them too. I CAN make a difference by showing HIVers that you can live a healthy, successful, and productive life. For the HIV-negative, I want to make them more aware of HIV and what it looks like.

Nate Longtin 27 years old, Boston Diagnosed in 2002

All too often I have seen guys my age taking risks simply because they don't know anyone their age who is HIV-positive. They think that because they don't see it, it's not there--and we know that is not the case. I hope that by being open and just being myself, maybe some of the stigma, stereotypes, and judgment will change. I would love to see a day when anyone who is HIV-positive can live a purposeful, healthy life--free of stigma, stress, and low self-worth. I really feel that these issues can consume people and can result in poor physical health. I CAN make a difference by being open and honest about my status. Encouraging honest, open conversation with each other is key to reducing stress and stigma for HIV-positive people--and will help HIV-negative people be less naive about what HIV is.

Heather Johnson 22 years old, Alpharetta, Ga. Diagnosed at birth

My goal is to open different communities' eyes to know what HIV is and how you can get it, and hopefully change people's minds about the disease. Since I was born with HIV, some people might see it as, "Oh, you were born with it, so you couldn't help it," But no one asks for this disease. Most people who have the virus got infected because they didn't have knowledge of what it was or how you can get it. Also, there aren't many young people in the media right now talking about living with HIV, so hopefully by my being that person out there who is talking about it, others can look at me and say, "I'm not alone., I CAN make a difference by speaking out and not being afraid.

Nina Martinez 23 years old, Decatur, Ga. Diagnosed in 1991

Since my diagnosis as a young child, I thought it was--and still think it is--my duty not to shut up about HIV. I believe the ease with which I talk about my positive HIV status helps others, regardless of their status, become at ease with my status too, it helps them be comfortable with an HIV-positive person. It helps them remember that I am not only a person living with HIV--I'm a person. I CAN make a difference by showing everyone how my life with HIV is undoubtedly life at the core. I fight for it.

I can!

Advocate, The, Dec 5, 2006

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