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October 5, 2009
Hydeia Broadbent: Born an AIDS Activist
by Kate Ferguson
She was born HIV positive in 1984. At age 3, doctors diagnosed her with AIDS. But at 13, Hydeia Broadbent debuted as a POZ magazine cover girl. She’d defied the prognosis that she would not live past age 5. A gifted public speaker, she once told her father that her purpose was to let people know what AIDS does to people. As a child, she did just that at the 1996 Republican Convention when she spoke there, and she’s continued to enlighten others.
You took some time off from campaigning for HIV awareness. What have you been doing?
Right now, I’m trying to focus on getting my health together because I was sick for a of couple months. I’m starting to speak again because this year I’ll turn 25 and I want to give back. I get a few e-mails each month from people who are infected, and it surprises me because a lot of people are still lost or feel like they don’t have anyone to turn to. They ask me what’s next. That’s why I want to use my story to tell people who are infected that their life can go on because there’s medicine for treatment. There is a bright future ahead. I also want to involve people and start a campaign to get a law passed so doctors can ask pregnant women to get an HIV test. A lot of doctors don’t ask, and a lot of babies are still being born infected. If we can prevent children from being born with HIV, then I want to help with that fight. I don’t know if I’m going to start my own campaign or join a campaign, but that’s my next mission.
What impact did your HIV/AIDS advocacy have on your childhood?
I feel like it was a positive experience growing up with AIDS because I could be outspoken. I didn’t have to hide it. I was really accepted and loved so I never had any of the stigma. But I think I missed out on a normal childhood; I missed going to high school with my friends. But now, looking back as an adult, I understand that it was a blessing. When I was younger, I used to think that I was missing my childhood because of all the traveling I did. Now, I really am grateful for the experience that I had.
What’s most memorable about that period when you were so active on the speaking circuit?
During that time, I did a lot of college and high school tours. I remember once I came into contact with a woman who was raped. She became pregnant and later discovered that she was HIV positive because of the rape. She was very depressed and didn’t know what she was going to do. She said she’d even thought about taking her life and the life of her unborn child. When she heard my story, she said if I was a little girl and could make it, then she could too. Knowing that I had the ability to help somebody really made me want to speak more and talk to as many people as I could, especially young people. I wanted the youth to know that this is basically a disease of choice because you get it through behavior. I really don’t want anyone to go through what I had gone through growing up.
You didn’t get the virus by choice, but a lot of people do contract it because of behavioral choices they make. Is your story as relevant to those people?
I was wrestling with that for a while because when I was speaking, it was to a lot of people who weren’t born with it. But I use my story and what I’ve gone through dealing with having the virus, and that tells people not to want to become infected. From a young age, I knew that you could get the virus by having unprotected sex. I know that a lot of people think that because I was born with it I can’t understand what they’re going through. But I let them know that I’m 25 and I still have relationships. I know what it’s like. But I’ve always hoped that I a heterosexual African American would come forth and start speaking about these things because we really don’t have that yet. I think we really need a male out in the forefront representing heterosexual men saying, “Hey, look this can happen and I got HIV from having unprotected sex.” We really need someone like that.
How do you feel about the stigma and denial in the African-American community, which stops people from coming forward and speaking about this disease and at-risk behaviors?
It hurts me, but I understand why people don’t come forward. They are afraid of what people have to say. But we need to talk about it. We have to talk about it because if we don’t talk about it, our numbers are going to continue to rise and people are going to continue to die.
What are some of the more surprising misconceptions about this disease that you’ve come across?
Some people think that if they get it, they can just take medicine to cure it. One woman said she didn’t know that AIDs was still a problem. I think it’s because the virus is not discussed on TV and in the media as much and that people have become lackadaisical. It astonishes me that people don’t realize that it could happen to them. The virus doesn’t really have a face. It could happen to anybody—it doesn’t matter if you’re black, white, rich or poor; this is a people’s disease. I wish that people would wake up and understand that it can happen. All it takes is one time.
What are your current plans?
On December 1 [World AIDS Day], I’ll be in Washington, DC, to serve as an emcee and hostess for an HIV event at the George Mason University (GMU) Fairfax campus. After that, I’ll be in Chicago on December 3 for a week of events connected with World AIDS Day; it’s called Painting the Town Red. I am starting work on a book about my life and a college tour, tentatively scheduled to launch in January 2010 called Are You Positive You’re Not Positive? Then on February 22 to 23, I’ll be at the National Conference on African Americans and AIDS in Baltimore.
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comments 1 - 7 (of 7 total)
PS3Lady, Albany,NY, 2009-11-01 15:41:48
nice job your doing out there, hope ya in my city soon. Albany, NY got some luv to show you...
JMerry, , 2009-10-13 01:33:31
I too have followed Hydeia since she was a little girl. I'm just so happy to see her doing so well even though every day is not a perfect one. She is an example that life can still be worthwhile even with HIV/AIDS. I hope that one day I get to meet her. Such a beautiful young lady, inside and out!!
Kharyzma Raphael, Brooklyn, NY, 2009-10-07 20:28:10
I have been following Hydeia and her story since she was a little girl. I am happy to know that she is STILL going strong and educating more people on HIV/AIDS. Hydeia is a blessing to the world from God. I haven't seen anyone else like her who is true to her cause of HIV/AIDS awareness. I hope to meet her when she comes to my school.
Gladys, , 2009-10-07 01:00:45
I Listen to conversations on sex, HIV/AIDS and I hear so much ignorence 1st Hand.
Thank You Hydeia for having the courage and the faith in change to share. You're appreciated!
shana, Atlanta, 2009-10-07 00:57:35
I LOVE it!! Can't wait to see what the future holds & I pray people will be more aware & rap it up!
Nicole Richardson, Chicago, 2009-10-07 00:41:09
Hydeia, you are such a inspiration among the youth. Keep up the great work!
Edward, Chicago, 2009-10-07 00:06:30
I'm so inspired by Hydeia and am happy she has teamed up with us at www.raponaids.com for the "Are You Positive You're Not POSITIVE" Tour to help changes lives of young people one city at a time.
comments 1 - 7 (of 7 total)
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