HIV side effects, treatment

Estoy cansada...de la crueldad. Cansada de las mentiras. Cansada de la gente que elige no educarse cuando la verdad está aquí, frente a sus ojos.

I am tired of...the cruelty. Tired of the lies. Tired of people who choose not to educate themselves when the truth is right here.

I advocate for cure research with an open mind and open heart... Personally, I am free from the burden of needing a cure. It's a "nice-to-have", not a "need-to-have".

HIV cure work is something that is beginning to fascinate me. Having the opportunity to be in spaces where this is the topic of discussion, I have learned so much about the virus.

Me decían que lo que me mataría serían mis medicinas no el virus. Y sé, con certeza, que estaban equivocados... Cuando llegué a Estados Unidos en 2001, empecé tratamiento. Cuatro semanas después ya estaba indetectable.

They told me that my medication would kill me, not the virus. And I know for a fact they were wrong... When I came to the United States in 2001, I started treatment. Four weeks later, I was undetectable.

It all seemed like talk – until it happened... Words could never do this journey justice. But I will try.

Este país se atreve a hablar de "libertad" mientras millones están secuestradxs por la pobreza, el racismo, el capacitismo y la avaricia. ¿Qué tipo de libertad es esa?

This country dares to speak of "independence" while millions are held hostage by poverty, racism, ableism, and greed. What kind of freedom is that?

I am convinced that conferences such as these contribute by creating the much-needed space for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and empowerment.