Redwood City, California
Positive since 1985

I was diagnosed more than 25 years ago and am still going strong. I’ve had my share of ups and downs like many of us living with this disease. While I’m a spiritual person, I’m not a Christian or belong to any other patriarchal path. Being diagnosed with HIV as long as I have took me out of my old comfort zone of partying, and I’m working to make sure things that stress me out are cut out of my life as much as possible. I’m not sure how many of my old acquaintances are still living because most of them have remained in the party scene.

I believe that all people are equal in the eyes of the God/Goddess/All That Is. One should never go through their lives thinking they are better than anyone else regardless of sexual orientation, gender, spiritual path, age or class. After all, we are all human in the end. I believe in justice and if that means bitch slapping someone with the facts through tough love then so be it. Most of the time I’m pretty calm about things and take the time to listen to their side unless they get too one sided--then my nature changes very abruptly.
 
I’ve become somewhat political in order to keep from feeling guilty about not doing more. I like to use Facebook, Google Plus and Twitter to share information that I think will benefit folks.  I like to post funny stuff too and the occasional music video but mostly political, spiritual and HIV-related articles. I’ve stopped most of the petition signing since I end up on endless spam lists and got tired of that. Strange how you start out wanting to do something good and end up being punished for it.

What three adjectives best describe you?
Strong willed, detail oriented, vociferous when things are not even-keeled!  

What is your greatest achievement?
My art  

What is your greatest regret?
Not taking better care of myself when I was in my 20s  

What keeps you up at night?
Insomnia, no rhyme or reason, there are times it’s unrelenting. Right now I’m sleeping well at night.  

If you could change one thing about living with HIV, what would it be?
Live in a quieter area, noise is very stressful to me  

What is the best advice you ever received?
Take better care of yourself  

What person in the HIV/AIDS community do you most admire?
Many people but myself for overcoming so much and still look damned good!  LOL!

What drives you to do what you do?
I don’t want to die so I keep on keeping on.

What is your motto?
The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose  

If you had to evacuate your house immediately, what is the one thing you would grab on the way out?
My hard drives and cash and any art pieces I did that were easy to carry 

If you could be any animal, what would you be?
A wolf because I am one in so many ways as a human!



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