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Hi, just wanted to give you the welcome to poz blogs. :) Warm greetings from Latin America. Glad you found your own path in life again.
Danny, Since you divulged your HIV status and your history of meth use, you have given 100% to the cause. While other "celebs" may rally around World AIDS Day or the noh8 campaign, you are a constant. I know one commenter stated meth will always be a part of gay life. I disagree. While it may be in some gay persons' lives, it is not the be all and end all to gay culture. As individuals we have a choice. Much like we can choose to wear a condom, we can choose who we associate with. Maybe getting off meth means getting a new social circle or saying a big eff you to those in the community who embrace meth and feel it's all part and parcel of being gay. Stay strong, and don't bow to criticism.
This is interesting that you bring up Meth, and courage to you. I am from Jacksonville Florida and have been HIV positive since I was 24 years old and fifty now. I never had the offer of meth here in Jacksonville; it was never my focus -- until I moved to California where I was introduced to it by me and his meth dealer, for he would smoke anything in his attempt to escape reality and try to manage his pain of being a wounded veteran. Meth being a designer drug for the rich and being powerful in it effects, I chose to leave him or escape, for clearly it was not a drug of good, and I saw a lot of people break down in health and spirit. I realized in my studies that this party drug is partly fueling HIV and Hep C since the 80’s, I believe. I also realized it is not just a Gay problem, for the house wives are smiling and connecting with this upper and trying to control it each day, along with many in the community and big money for the Meth Industry (who are they). I witness after effects of the White Parties in Palm Springs where the left over youth where left on the street all twinkled out after their sponsor of meth went back to LA to conform back to their powerful jobs and wait for the next time to exploit the youth of their sexual desires. It is just not a Gay problem for it is a community problem where Meth = Death. I am blessed that Meth did not take over my spirit in my travels, although it still haunts me at times for the poor souls that it has captured and it disgusts me in the business of many becoming rich off their pain. Here in Jacksonville, many are on Heroin, and one might see that these drugs can and will destroy a human within months of addictions. One of the biggest Meth distribution point in my stay in Palm Springs was in the housing of AIDS patients behind Dessert AIDS Project where the elite and poor moved their meth some years ago, as I recall, for meth is invisible, unless the person starts to withdraw, and dehydrate to nothingness in their flesh, I have learned. One of the Mayors, within Coachella Valley of Palm Springs area made a comment that we must realize: It is here to stay and part of our community. Humm Humm
I agree that many voices went silent over the past few years, however, I don't believe it's because of marriage equality. One should argue that many in the gay community just don't want certain things to change. Meth use has been embedded within the gay culture over the past decade and the use of meth and other drugs leads to higher risk factors. As mentioned in another comment, meth has helped many have the best times of their lives. I feel it correlates with gay individuals wanting to be free and uninhibited.
The HIV community is made up of people who have been anything but silent while you and Mr. Sheen came to terms with your diagnosis. Many of us host websites, radio blog and pod casts, grassroots outreach work, YouTube, Twitter, the list is endless. I understand the process as I have been positive 20 yrs now and did not begin my own journey of advocacy until three years ago. There are events held annually all over the world thanks to the efforts of those who came before us. We need the word to reach those who are unaware that the only risky lifestyle one needs to live to catch HIV, is that of a human. Many of my bloggers were not infected by any risky lifestyle at all. They were born positive, infected by hospital error, etc. HIV does not discriminate, people do. That H in HIV stands for human. My website livingpos.com offers free registration for any and all bloggers a place to register and blog for all 4-incurable Hs in the STD community because I believe to end stigma with the world first we must end it between our own H communities. HIV, HSV 1&2, HPV, HCV. We are all Hequals. Welcome to the community Danny. I wish you as much success on your journey as I have had on mine.
I facilitate a group for HIV-positive men. I also supervise case managers in a medical clinic, and I meet with newly diagnosed HIV patients. Tonight in our group I shared how how meth is our number one "recruiter" for the spread of HIV in our community. We spent a lot time talking about how meth has impacted our members' lives. Some have not used in years, some in months and some are still using. It is something that we are not talking enough about. Its strangle hold on people is devastating. I see it ruin relationships, careers, living conditions and the dental, mental and physical health of those who are addicted. Where is the outcry in our community? Where are our medical providers in addressing this issue beyond the individual patient?
I became Poz in pre-Meth New York...I'm classy not trashy.... Then in 2002 I started with Meth.....Then went from classy to trashy.... But (let's be honest) I have to say I had a lot of fun and hot ( we are talking 4 day long bondage/FF/W-S/toy sex)... I'm 50 now....My anti-depression meds killed my sex drive so I'm "sober" and boring....
Anonymous
All talk you did nothing but talk about yourself.
May 29, 2017