prime time

The message was delivered to me in an IM message I received from my friend and business partner "I need your help". He was putting together a World AIDS Day program at his church, Tabernacle Baptist in Atlanta, Wednesday evening and one of his scheduled speakers backed out at the last minute. I did not hesitate to accept the invitation despite having absolutely nothing prepared. He explained that the purpose of my participation was to be testimony to an HIV negative individual in a long term relationship with an HIV positive individual. I was told that I did not have to disclose my sexual preference, but I felt it was important in this discussion as many of those who would be in attendance are African American Same Gender Loving men. Not to mention, I would most likely know a good of them.

I honestly do not remember most of what I said. The congregation was very receptive as I focused on the importance of embracing our friends, family, and acquaintances who are positive in a way that empowers them and affirms them for who they are and not their HIV status. Following my testimonial (I won't call it a speech), was a young man who is HIV positive and was diagnosed at the age of 18. He discussed how for him, testing positive was a turning point in his life. Through the love and support of his family, he was able to raise above his past life struggles and is now living life like never before.

It was with this that the organizers of the event declared that they would be CELEBRATING World AIDS Day as opposed to recognizing it. Celebrating the fact that despite the depressing statistics and harsh realities, people are surviving. It is the survivors that need to be celebrated and recognized so that they can be inspiration for those who are newly diagnosed or still struggling with their own internal self acceptance. The message was clear to me - we must embrace our own, help lift up our own, and stop condemning and judging each other for the choices and mistakes we make in our lives.

I recognize that I cannot ignore the staggering statistics (if you choose to believe them or not) and the personal impact HIV infection and AIDS has on me, and that everyday needs to be World AIDS Day. However, the message I will deliver today is the same I delivered last night. When you meet someone or if you know someone in your life who is HIV positive, do not look at them as condemned person. Do not apologize to them for something you have no reason to apologize for. Do not distance yourself from them out of your own fears. And when they need your support, be there as you would for anyone else be they affected by cancer, diabetes, or mental health issues.

Next -> what are people saying about education, prevention, and being tested.