This framework is my way of calling out the systems of tokenization, manipulation, and performative inclusion—especially in spaces that claim to advocate for us.
Janinebrignola's blog
Too often, I was told what I should say and how I should say it—by people working in HIV who do not have HIV.
When I was diagnosed with HIV almost 17 years ago I dove head first into activism. I was angry and I needed something to do with that anger or I would have turned it onto myself. What I didn't realize is that I had already done that and what I did not know is that I would let that anger build for almost two decades before I accepted it.
I am in the south; for now. With that move comes changes of all kinds and one of those for me is finding medical help and of course a new "infectious disease" doctor (which I hate that they call our doctors that, like we are suffering from the bubonic plague). To my surprise however the doctor I got was nice and he has been in the HIV field since before antiretrovirals came on the scene. My inquisitive nature always feeds my desire for furthering my knowledge. It's kind of a curse at times. But... I used this as an opportunity to interview him and get his take on the HIV epidemic upon finding...
Seven years ago today I met the man that would become both the best and worst memories, and love, I have known to date.
I have been living with HIV for more than 12 years. Still to this day it baffles me when people try to use this as a reason to insult me. I must admit often times, more than not, I forget about it.
It is funny how one day you wake up and feel like everything has changed. You, the world around you, the people you know; everything. Looking out of the window to the door you once stepped out of feeling free and seeing the grass may be green, the birds may be chirping, but now stepping outside and finding that you can feel the wind crisp on your skin, breathing deeply the air, hear the leaves rustle, know the peacefulness of it all but feel no peace and see no beauty. Even on the brightest of days when the sun is perfectly atop you shining down with beams full of light and warmth, it is...