POZ - African American Hub : Profiles: African-American : Terry Angel Mason

After doctors diagnosed him with AIDS, this pastor broke his silence and went public about living with the virus. As an advocate, his goal is to show other ministers how to comfortably and effectively discuss HIV/AIDS with their congregations so they may help save lives.

Was there a defining moment that crystallized your commitment to becoming an HIV/AIDS advocate?

When I was diagnosed with AIDS 10 years ago, it was a complete shock to me. I had tested regularly, and my responses were always negative. At the time, I was pastoring a church and about to open a second one. My first response was to hide it because at that time I was hosting a local television show. I also had a choral group that had gained international fame, and it just wasn’t the kind of thing you’d want to tell somebody—that you had AIDS and you’re a pastor. But I decided I wouldn’t hide it. That was the beginning. My disclosure changed the face of HIV care in San Diego because no influential African-American person in that city had publicly come out, so it literally turned the whole city upside down.

At that point, I started not only speaking, but also ministering to inmates living with AIDS who were in jail and preparing to exit the prison system. I helped steer them to the medical services that they needed, [and I] assisted them to find housing, transportation and counseling.

How I got into that was one Sunday when I was at church I asked the congregants, “How many of you know someone in prison?” And the whole congregation raised their hands. I said, “Oh, my God!” Since then, I’ve traveled and asked the same question of numerous congregations, and each time at least 95 percent of the people raised their hands.

Then, I established a ministry in my church. We took the acronym HIV, and we translated it to mean “Heaven’s Invitation to Victory.” We began to teach people that HIV wasn’t a death sentence. My own life proved it because when I was diagnosed, I didn’t just have AIDS. I was also diagnosed with shingles and pneumocystis pneumonia. I was literally dying. For me to bounce back from that proved that you can live [with HIV/AIDS].

The HIV rates among men who have sex with men (MSM) are increasing. Why do you think there seems to be such a disconnect between prevention messages and the people they’re targeted to reach?

Well, the problem is we’re dealing with things that I think a lot of people don’t want to talk about. A lot of young men who are having sex with other young men are constantly exposed to pornographic videos. In those videos, what they’re seeing is other young men their age—and you need to understand that years ago in the porn industry you’d see older adults but now you’re seeing teenagers who are going into this industry—having unprotected sex. There’s a [porn video] company that has become famous for [showing] raw sex. [I think] this really makes an impression on the minds of young men who are having sex with other young men. Plus, there’s a lot of misinformation [circulating]. I remember being in Mississippi not long ago to speak to this AIDS group. I had to get them to understand that just because two HIV-positive people sleep together doesn’t mean they don’t need to practice safe sex. [That’s because two HIV-positive people may reinfect each with treatment-resistant strains of the virus.].And both HIV-positive and HIV-negative people need to take responsibility for protecting their partners.

What do you think are some other reasons for the seeming disconnect?

I think another reason why young men are not listening is because we’re telling them just to protect themselves from the virus not the reason why. What they should hear is that they do not want HIV at 18, 19 or 23, not only because the virus ages you prematurely, [but also because] their chances of reaching my age, 53—after being diagnosed at 18, even with the protocols that exist to suppress the virus—are reduced. That’s the message we need to tell young people. I’m not hearing that anywhere.

How do you connect with organizations to promote HIV awareness?

First of all, I’m a certified AIDS counselor. I started out working for an agency that had no budget. My budget was my salary, and I didn’t know what I was going to do to provide services for people. I learned from that job how to use other people’s money, how to use other people’s resources. And when I established my churches, I just kept doing it. I’d already been in contact with those people. I have a good rapport with pastors in my city now, and I’m asked to preach. What comes out of my mouth in those pulpits is HIV talk, something they will not discuss. When I go to their churches to speak, because I’m there already they can’t stop me. And it never fails. After I speak at a church or wherever I am, someone approaches me every single time—lots of people, really—and tells me that their son, granddaughter, brother or husband is HIV positive. They ask if I’ll help them. It happens each time I speak somewhere.

Besides the United States, where else does your HIV/AIDS advocacy work take you?

I’m going to London soon. I was actually supposed to be there when the volcano erupted [in Iceland]. Thank God we changed the date because I probably would have been trapped in London. I’m also going to Paris and Australia. I have a large readership in Australia and Germany. But that won’t happen until next year. Then my third book, The Dream Keeper, which is a novel, comes out. It will have some passages written in French.

Are all your books about HIV/AIDS?

No. The book called They Say That I’m Broken is mostly poetry, fiction and a few commentaries. But that doesn’t focus as much on HIV/AIDS as Love Won’t Let Me Be Silent does. The Dream Keeper is a novel. It’s the first novel that I’ve ever done. But They Say That I’m Broken has Spanish language passages, and HIV is mentioned in it. What I wanted to do was speak to both the Hispanic and black communities because the virus affects these groups the most. A wonderful, super-gifted, young Hispanic lady did the photography for the Spanish-language passages in the back. In the front, there are African-American images.

Any other thoughts you’d like to leave us with?

It grieves me to see so many of our young black and Hispanic men and women perishing from this virus because of the silence of the church.

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comments 1 - 15 (of 24 total) next > >>

Robert, San Diego, CA, 2010-08-04 04:01:19
This article is much needed in the African American young MSM community. Kudos to the author and Terry Angel Mason. As an HIV/AIDS service provider I find that in reaching young African American MSM, the prevention message that is intended for MSM in general does not apply. In the African American MSM community, one size does not fit all. On a personal note, Bishop Mason after sharing this amazing journey with you, I agree it's Heaven's Invitation to Victory. Continue in the good fight of faith.

Uriah Bell, Boston, MA, 2010-07-24 22:15:26
It's about time! Terry Angel Mason is the silenced voice of so many of us in the Black community. Regardless of orientation, we all need ministering to without the lectures and reprimand. Mason's message is one that while on time is far too late as so many of US have perished because we were alone. In the Black community we look to the Church for salvation and as a safe haven; if we're turned away from the church then where do we go? I am so proud of Mason's work, vision and courage.

Kesha Pressley, San Diego, CA, 2010-07-23 15:18:35
I have known Bishop Mason for 10yrs now. He is truly an Angel on earth! Bishop Mason is the Christ we all need to see in this world. He has spent his entire existence evangelizing,reaching out to forgotten souls in prison, the community and the streets. He utilized every single resource he had just to spread AIDS/HIV awareness, despite some of the negative press.He's modern day martyr and a living testimony of courage, strength, and faith. It is an honor to know him and call him, Friend!

Jennifer L. Jackson, Los Angeles, 2010-07-23 02:03:57
Terry Angel Mason,I'm fighting back tears. YOU my dear are an amazing young man. I admire your strength, some people would have laid down and died and look at you. You have chosen to STAND and not only that you have CHOSEN to teach others to do the same. I've been on my own since the age of twelve I have alot to be thankful for but one thing I can honestly say is that I'm thankful I had the pleasure of meeting you. You're WONDERFUL. Your presence illuminates! Author of; "The Streets, My Cradle"

Darian Aaron, Atlanta, 2010-07-22 14:40:42
Angel you are heaven sent. I only wish more clergy in the Black community had the courage to not only speak about AIDS to their congregations but also become active participants in the fight to eradicate this horrible disease. You understand that this disease does not discriminate and affects all people regardless of sexual orientation. Your personal transparency and willingness to address the elephant in the room(i.e. the number of new infections amongst gay men of color) is to be commended.

Dawn Hayes, Los Angeles, 2010-07-22 11:22:04
I am soooo happy you have tackled a quiet subject. It needs to be spoken about to our young AND old people. I have a son going to college in LA and believe it or not..... I'm sending him with ALOT of condoms. I can't stop him from what he wants to do but I can help give him the resources to protect himself. Thanks Cousin!

Renee DAAntignac, Los Angeles, 2010-07-22 01:15:32
Both my mother & my little sister died of this unspoken disease. (RIP) And better not anybody ask how they got it! That's a very stupid question. It's an epidemic...duh!

Christina Tate-Battle, Fresno, Ca, 2010-07-21 22:49:10
I absolutley love the work that Angel Mason is doing. The fact that he is not afraid to share his personal life experiences hoping that other's will learn from him is great. Considering our nations current economy a lot of HIV/AIDS programs have been cut. This leaves young people all over the United States not receiving the services and education they need to protect themselvs from becoming HIV potive.

Crystal Tate, Fresno, 2010-07-21 21:58:54
I would just like to say thank you to POZ magazine and Angel for this interview. Our community really needs to realize how big of a problem it is for our people to be so uneducated and misinformed about this disease. I commend you Angel for stepping up and doing your part to educate others. You are truly a blessed person.

Charles henry hall, tuscaloosa, 2010-07-21 17:05:57
Stay strong my brother.

donald evans, los angeles, 2010-07-21 00:43:44
YES!!!! I agree that there is an alarming rate of over sexed and under informed young people out there these days.i am also a certified HIV prevention counselor,HIV positive (since 11/2003) and openly Gay with an HIV positive life partner.I HEAR COUNTLESS STORIES EVERYDAY WORKING OF UNPROTECTED YOUNG SEX WITH SAME SEX IN OUR BLCK AND LATINO COMMUNITIES.WE THINK THAT THE SOLUTION IS RETREAT WHEN THE REAL SOLUTION IS TO CONFRONTATION.WAKE UP COMMUNITIES AND FIGHT BACK!!! FEAR=DEATH.STAND STRONG!!

Tracy Kennedy, , 2010-07-19 22:39:24
Angel IS an angel!!!!

Terry Angel Mason, Los Angeles, 2010-07-19 13:11:26
Theresa, to clarify, I was not diagnosed with HIV at 18; I was diagnosed when I was 41. Additionally, I wish to thank you and everyone who has taken the time to read this article and to leave a comment. I am extremely encouraged by your thoughtful comments and expressions of kindness. I also wish to thank Poz Magazine and Kate Ferguson for interviewing me and for making it possible for millions all over the world to read my story. Richest Blessings, Terry Angel Mason, Global Author

Theresa, San Diego, 2010-07-19 01:18:59
Thanks for writing the article it was very informative .I been knowing you for 10 years and I didn't even know you were diagnosed at age 18 you are so brave to come out and put the message out to get tested and be safe. Information is power keep up the good work and God Bless.

Semaj James, Los Angeles, 2010-07-18 01:24:04
Such a much needed message for this day at this time in this hour, what a man of faith, wisdom and the truth! He is the truth, because He lives the truth! a man with nothing to hide because he gives all he has and shares it with the world, this is truly the example that we need more of, what a voice that must be heard, thank you bishop mason for being as courageous as you are in being open and transparent enough to bring about the kind of change we need in the community and the world. love it!

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