Atlanta TV Reporter Goes Public with HIV Status

After more than a year of keeping it a secret, WSB-TV Atlanta reporter Roby Chavez revealed he is HIV-positive. He made the disclosure last week during a speech to the Atlanta Executive Network, a monthly networking event for gay and lesbian professionals. Chavez, 37, tested positive for the virus in August 2000, but kept it a secret from everyone but his partner, Will Morse, a regional vice president for a national health care company. "I want to talk about fear, and how fear can rob you of life," Chavez told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He called his decision to speak out " a question of being true to yourself."

Last month, WSB released Chavez from the final year of his three-year contract, citing inconsistent performance. Chavez, joined WSB in January 2000, said his release was not related to his HIV-status, which he said no one at the station knew. Chavez, a 14-year TV veteran, said he does not know what he will do after his contract expires, or what repercussions he might face as a result of speaking out. "You know what? It doesn't matter," he said. "If I worry about repercussions I'm still letting fear dominate my thoughts."

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