Fort Worth, Texas

Positive since 2005

I have been positive for more than 10 years. I have never let HIV get a foothold on my life. I’m healthier than I have ever been in my life. I am off the drugs, stopped all those late-night parties and got rid of my “I don’t care” attitude. My HIV has allowed me to see how easy it is to live a great life without all these things I thought I needed. Being a straight male, I will admit, though, I have not found love or been in a relationship since my diagnosis. Where are the straight HIV women (if there are any)? That is my only problem with having HIV: living in Fort Worth, Texas, and not meeting straight HIV women. Will I ever love again?

What three adjectives best describe you?

Outgoing. Energetic. Awesome.

What is your greatest achievement?

Being able to stop using drugs and keeping my HIV under control. I’ve been undetectable since 2013, and I’m healthier than ever.

What is your greatest regret?

Not being able to keep my nonprofit running.

What keeps you up at night?

Wondering if I’m the only straight guy in Texas who is HIV positive that can’t find a real relationship.

If you could change one thing about living with HIV, what would it be?

Letting everyone know how easy it is to be alive with HIV.

What is the best advice you ever received?

Find a good doctor and don’t be afraid to talk to them. Take your meds every day.

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

The doctors who take the time to treat us.

What drives you to do what you do?

Myself and my faith in God.

What is your motto?

Share your smile with someone today. Theirs may be broken.

If you had to evacuate your house immediately, what is the one thing you would grab on the way out?

My dogs.

If you could be any animal, what would you be? And why?

A dog because their loyalty is absolutely 100 percent.