Personal Stories

When Mark S. King read the novel in 1978 when he was 17, he never knew he would one day be standing in the living room of the two main characters as they shared the backstory of the controversial sexual satire.

"Being HIV positive doesn't mean you have to stay at home but it might mean you need to get out of bed and enjoy life," Justin B. Terry-Smith writes.

Evan J. Peterson shares his sexual trajectory before, during and after PrEP -- and issues a call for gay communities to bridge the viral divide and act up in this new era.

"I have learned important lessons about the intimacies of dying that I can use when I eventually face my own mortality," Mark S. King writes.

"I totally understand the importance of enjoying sex," George Johnson writes. "But I also know it is even more important to make sure one is doing so safely -- and lube can play a major role in that process."

"Sean McKenna does exactly what a good advocate should do. He bears witness and holds people accountable."

"The acquisition of HIV was as ingrained in my destiny as the necessity of attending college to escape intergenerational poverty."

"In order to live well, we must cast off the negative views, words and actions of those who try to shame us into silence and instead use them to renew our determination to live our lives."

Known for his trademark wigs, flamboyant costumes and "ferocious" tracks, "genderqueer" rapper and performance artist Mykki Blanco made headlines when he revealed that he was HIV positive on Facebook in 2015.

"I suppose that is one of the harder memories of the past for me," says Scottie: "to know that so many I knew are gone and I have been allowed for whatever reason to still be here."