activism, advocacy

I know by being honest this may upset some people but I have to be real.

With pride and urgency, I carried my message of HIV prevention and stigma reduction, delivered with the fervour our community deserves.

I'm in awe of black women/ They show up every single day/ While legislators are trimmin'/ All their rights and freedoms away

Muchos de mis pensamientos terminan en gratitud porque mi corazón sigue lleno de alegría por poder dedicarme cada día a un trabajo que tiene un impacto positivo en la vida de las mujeres viviendo con VIH.

Many of my thoughts land in a space of gratitude because my heart remains full that I get to meaningfully engage in work day-to-day that supports positive impact on the lives of women living with HIV.

For a long time, I thought silence was protecting me. I thought if I didn't say something out loud, maybe it wouldn't feel real.

I educate the world to keep the disease at bay/ But education is lost in the politics of today/ Yet more and more minds I continue to sway/ HIV will never define me...

Joining this blog will allow me to connect with other women living with HIV/AIDS, contribute to an important community, and continue using my voice to encourage, support, and advocate for others.

I remember the hard times that I've been through and survived, and I remember the love of my great grandmother, the kindness and strength of my grandfathers, and I want to make them proud.

Rio reminded me that ultimately the HIV response is powered by people from the many local HIV communities who refuse to disappear.