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HIV/AIDS Blog Central

My Fabulous Disease

Is There Pride in Being HIV Positive?


A Video Blog

By Mark S. King

October 18, 2012

During my new video blog episode, below, someone asks me incredulously if I would actually march down the street telling people I was HIV positive.

Well, actually, I would. And have. Many Gay Pride parades ago, in 1994, I marched while wearing a t-shirt that said "NO ONE KNOWS I'M HIV POSITIVE." This was prior to the advent of protease inhibitors, when many were still dying. The shirt felt like an enormous "screw you" to the virus, to the body count, and to anyone who had a problem with my status.


Episode 42: Is There Pride in Being HIV Positive?

But I have a peculiar lack of shame, or if you will, I'm shameless. And I am very, very fortunate that I can exercise this trait with a minimum of consequences. It's not someone that many people with HIV are able to do. Why? Beyond their personal reticence, there is still an appalling lack of empathy (and education) within families, workplaces, and social networks. The issue of HIV criminalization and the increased prosecutions of people for not disclosing their status only increases the risks of sharing your status.

During the Atlanta Pride parade and festival, I tried to reconcile my own "HIV OUT" status with those who can't speak for themselves, and I investigated a simple question: if HIV is nothing to be ashamed of, can it be something to be proud of?

Thanks for watching, and please be well.

Mark




Visit Mark's live blog at www.MyFabulousDisease.com.

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See Also
What Does HIV/AIDS Stigma Look Like in Your Life?
More on Stigma and HIV/AIDS
 

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VIDEO BLOG:
My Fabulous Disease

Mark S. King has been an active AIDS activist, writer and community organization leader since the early 1980s in Los Angeles. He has been an outspoken advocate for prevention education and for issues important to those living with HIV.

Diagnosed in 1985, Mark has held positions with the Los Angeles Shanti Foundation, AID Atlanta and AIDS Survival Project, and is an award-winning writer. He continues his volunteer work as an AIDS educator and speaker for conferences and events.

Speaking engagements: Mark King is available to speak to groups. Contact Mark about speaking at your organization or event!


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Recent Posts:

February 27, 2013 - HIV and Gay Media: The Vanishing Virus

January 16, 2013 - Treating My Facial Wasting With Artefill: A Video Blog by Mark S. King

December 13, 2012 - The Night Don Lemon Hugged Me: A Blog Entry by Mark S. King

November 7, 2012 - On Board the 2012 HIV Cruise Retreat: A Blog Entry by Mark S. King

October 18, 2012 - Is There Pride in Being HIV Positive? A Video Blog by Mark S. King

View All Posts


A Place Like This by Mark King

View an excerpt of Mark's book

To read PDF, click here


Interviews With Mark:

Mark King Looks Back at the AIDS Epidemic's Darkest Hour in the U.S. (May 14, 2008)

This Month in HIV: Crystal Methamphetamine and HIV (August 2007)


Articles by Mark:

Meth Burial (May 2008)

Once, When We Were Heroes (June 2006)

Outliving My Father (May 22, 2001)
Mark recounts how years of caring for friends dying of AIDS prepared him for taking care of his dying father
From The Advocate

AIDS Always Benefits from What We Don't Talk About (April 2001)


For the rest of Mark's articles, click here.


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The opinions expressed by TheBody.com's bloggers are entirely their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheBody.com itself.
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