Texas: Pageant Winner Tells HIV Story

The fourth annual "Hip-Hop for HIV" outreach event kicked off Tuesday at Dallas City Hall, and Michelle Anderson of Dallas took advantage of the opportunity to share her life story.

Anderson is the reigning Ms. Plus America, part of a pageant system that salutes full-figured women, and is reportedly the first HIV-positive woman to win a national pageant title. Following a period when her "life was spiraling out of control," Anderson entered drug rehab, then learned she had HIV.

"I thought I was going to die," Anderson recalled. "Life would be over." Instead, "I was able to empower myself. Getting tested saved my life."

As part of the outreach, HIV testing will be offered at 13 special events, as well as daily at the Tarrant County and Dallas County health departments. Persons who get the free test will receive a complimentary ticket to a hip-hop concert Aug. 21 at the Palladium Ballroom.

"Get that test! Get that ticket!" Dallas City Council member Dwaine Caraway exhorted the City Hall crowd. Leading by example, Caraway took the rapid-result oral test himself.

For more on the outreach, visit thebeatdfw.com/category/hip-hop-4-hiv-2011/.

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