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Your writing needs proofreading & editing. Numerous punctuation & grammatical mistakes limit the effectiveness of the message you are trying to impart to your readers.
The young men of yesteryear are, in some cases, the middle aged men of today. Each and every brother, sister, and other in the life is able to understand what was and know the ramifications of what is. I being the youngest child of working class, Black Americans, with middle class aspirations understand so much that you write about. I understand the trials and tribulations of coming to terms with and accepting my personal reality-based demons. My youthful wanderings, wonderings, and satisfactions of innate homosexual desire--coupled with all sorts of psychosocial dilemas lead to my discovery that I was HIV+ in 2001. After seeking the professional social service apparatus of the Chicago Metropolitan Area, I am on track with so many of my personal issues. To you Aundaray Guess and all of my other HIV+ brethren, I say thank you for sharing your experiences and providing the guidance and advice that so many young people in the life really do need.
thank you for sharing your story with us. It resonates with me, as it does many others, I'm sure. For me, because, well - Been there, done that, DIDN'T get a T-shirt. Though it is tough to deal with at any age, it is especially difficult when one is young and inexperienced in life, and thrown out of the family home into the street. HIV, as you so poignantly noted, becomes a low priority. Fortunately for myself as a youth, there wasn't any HIV yet, but still the stigma of being homeless was enough to make me shun my regular social circles, for fear they would ask me why was I wearing the same clothes all the time, not to mention why was I so skinny. I eventually found shelter with a gay couple in the college town where I decided to move to go to school, once I had a job of sorts. Long story short, it has happened more than once in my life where I was suddenly found without a home, and, like you, absolutely REFUSED to go to a shelter where the risk of violence against me was palpable. Through no fault of my own, we were left to find somewhere, ANYWHERE to lay our head for the night and try to feel secure enough to get some much needed rest. Ultimately, I found some relief through various agencies, and got a roof over my head of my own. This allowed me to continue my studies in film editing and videography, to the point where we were at least able to make it through the day without a grumble in the stomach, or a gnawing fear of 'where will I sleep tonight'. Today we are approaching our golden years, with joy, pride in our work, and maybe a bit of trepidation, largely due to the nagging fear of 'what if I lose my home' again, or some catastrophic illness which lands me in the ICU or something. We are eternally grateful to those who took the time to direct and assist me in whatever small or large way they could, and did. We remember them well, and thank them for their help, as we thank you for sharing your story as well. It somehow makes it easier to bear, and bear witness to another's similar experience. My heart goes out to you and each and every one of the gay youth, maybe with HIV also, who are unceremoniously kicked out of their parents' home, simply for being who they truly are. My family acknowledges, but does not truly accept my gayness, as I am sure many of the youth today who find themselves in similar situations will or have experienced. For you to share your own history is deeply moving and touching to the spirit, and for this, we are eternally grateful. Would that more people might share their stories as well, and, just maybe, we can begin to eliminate the hard-heartedness of those whom we call 'family'. I no longer speak to most of my blood relatives, only my gay younger sister, and maybe one or two others. The rest have shown their ignorance just a few too many times, coupled with their complete lack of acceptance of my being and my true spirit. I consider it, finally, to be THEIR loss, rather than mine, and find community and like-mindedness with persons such as yourself, who have shared a similar history. That, and those few friends with whom I can share a bit of my painful past, and glory in what we now create together as friends and sharing spirits. They are my family now, and I wouldn't have it any other way. So, again, thanks for sharing your personal experience with us: it helps to know we are not alone, and that we CAN make it through the loneliness and darkness of being homeless with HIV. MERCI BEAUCOUP!! You are a true warrior spirit!!! You inspire us to greater things!!
Thanks for being out and sharing. This is hope for those who want to become who they are to be.
We must be prepared as much as possible for life. Early and proper planning is a great way to be ready for life's expectations. There is a certain strength in what appears to be a weakness if we learn and earn from the experiences. We must share and strengthen each other as must as possible and those seeking must be ready to learn, listen and act. Take out HIV and replace it with whatever and the game is the same. To be a winner we must know the rules of the game and learn how to play it well. Life is a dress rehersal for things to come that will last forever.
Antonio
Thanks for sharN your story. It is truly a blessN to hear that you are doing well. I pray that God keep you in his hands. As for JNez, GET A LIFE. Mistakes happens
January 22, 2012