A Girl Like Me Contributors

I was 11 years old when my mother and sister finally told me my mom had AIDS, my father had AIDS and I was born HIV+. I was devastated even though I really had no clue what it even meant. I knew my mom had it and I knew she was dying. Just a few...

My name is Eliane. I am 43 years old and the mother of three children: Loris, 18 years; Rio, 13 years; and Akira, 11 years. I am married and am an artist and blogger at www.hivstigmafighter.com. I am HIV positive for 17 years. My motto for life is:...

I am Sandra, 61.5 years old, HIV Elite Controller, diagnosed December 1989. Widow, Mother and Grandmother. Active Extended visitor, participating in Clinical Research trials at the National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Maryland. Volunteering and...

At the age of 22, after being in a monogamous relationship, I was diagnosed with AIDS. Being a college student at Sam Houston State University, looking forward to pledging my favorite sorority, enjoying college life and obtaining a degree were no...

I am Kimberly June Skeete. My pronouns are She/Her. As a Black Trans Woman, I move through the world with unapologetic positivity, authenticity, and queerness. My diagnosis was the catalyst for discovering my strength. Since that pivotal moment, I've...

Hello, my name is... Ieshia Scott. There are several dots NOT because I didn't want to use my name but because I was hesitant due to the many people who are NOT prepared for this day. There are many people who know I've been advocating and doing my...

I'm a 54 year old single Mom and Grandmother. I am newly diagnosed April of 2016. I am a psychology student. I run a charity that helps runaways and young people - women aging out of foster care. I am a cancer survivor. But above all I am a survivor...

My name is Jae, I am 39 years old and have been HIV+ for 18 years. I am a wife, mother to 3 boys, an employee, and full-time student. I live in Southern California, USA. I work in the medical field, the city I work in I come in contact with men that...

I’m Janelle Luster born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, 24 years old, I was diagnosed in March of 2012. At the time that I was diagnosed my house caught fire (my closet at that) and I didn’t have a regular job, no money saved. I was...

Janine Brignola is a nationally recognized activist, speaker, writer, and systems disruptor whose work spans over two decades of lived experience and more than 12 years of visible, unapologetic advocacy since being diagnosed with HIV. What began as a...