Baltimore, MD
Positive since 2009

My name is Angel. I am pre-op male-to-female transgender. I never cared much for condoms. I got infected when I moved to Baltimore in 2009. I was diagnosed with HIV in 2010 when I got Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP).

I have not told my family I am positive as they have already disowned me for being transgender. My experience is that when I share my story or status with anyone, they tend to run (more like gallop) in the opposite direction. Few friends stood by me. Even fewer lovers. I learned not to tell anyone. There is still a huge stigma attatched to HIV/AIDS.

I want to date men who are HIV positive but I’m finding that most of them are idiots just like the ones who are HIV negative. So what’s the difference? You would think the positive ones would be a little more sensitive…but they’re not.

Publish or don’t publish. I don’t care. Getting HIV means you have no value in this country.

What three adjectives best describe you?
Funny, sensitive, giving

What is your greatest achievement?
Rescuing English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and Pugs. Also teaching my 5-year old godson to be a good person.

What is your greatest regret?
Moving to Baltimore

What keeps you up at night?
Loneliness

If you could change one thing about living with HIV, what would it be?
Make it like other sexually transmitted diseases: You get it, you take some pills and get rid of it.

What is the best advice you ever received?
Love yourself and to hell with everyone else.

What person in the HIV/AIDS community do you most admire?
Probably my doctor

What drives you to do what you do?
Loneliness. Cynicism.

What is your motto?
Who has a motto?

If you had to evacuate your house immediately, what is the one thing you would grab on the way out?
I would say my pills but in reality I’d grab my dog.

If you could be any animal, what would you be? And why?
Probably a dog. They are loved and spoiled.