Marissa's blog

I recently took an impromptu trip to the Dominican Republic for some R&R with my girls! And while COVID is still very much a factor, I just kept repeating YOLO in my head.

Dear Advocate, 2021, so far, has been a year of focusing on me and choosing me above all else. Too often I have dimmed my light and emptied my cup for the needs of others.

According to the CDC, in 2018, Black/African American people accounted for 13% of the US population but 42% (16,002) of the 37,968 new HIV diagnoses in the United States and dependent areas.

2020 has been a year for us all. I know mine has been met with heartache, joy and so many things in between. But since being diagnosed in 2016, I finally decided 2020 was the year I would date and be unapologetically HIV+.

It's been awhile since I've put my words together for you to read! Covid has really put a damper on things and stripped me of my desire to do anything.

Often times, and no disrespect to anyone who has said it, but... not being tied to anything isn't all it's cracked up to be. Let me explain...

Growing up in Paterson New Jersey where the population is predominantly Black, it was inevitable that I would share space with an individual who identified as black. However here there was never a question of separation. Black, Hispanic or white it didn't matter; we were all in the struggle together.

Losing a loved one is never easy, but losing a loved one during this covid pandemic is not something I ever thought I'd have to go through. Much like my HIV diagnosis, I didn't think it could happen to me.

Recently I was asked why am I dating if I have HIV. It took me some time to process this comment and the ignorance in which it stemmed. As some background information, I recently joined FB dating and...

When I was first diagnosed in 2016, I did some research on organizations with a focus on HIV. I came across a group called Youth Across Borders (YAB). YAB is an organization providing youth living...