Sharing my stories and giving courage to others like me who can relate to some of my struggles and victories is a way I can give back to a community that has literally saved my life.
I left—not because I wanted to, but because I had to. I left to live.
To anyone who feels stuck, lost, or overlooked: Keep going. Your breakthrough might just be one bold step away.
Being part of A Girl Like Me isn't just about telling my story. It's about showing someone else what's possible when we finally decide to stop hiding... We are exactly what someone else needs to see.
Unfortunately, many countries still maintain entry restrictions for people living with HIV, whether for studies or work.
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.
Nineteen years ago, I never imagined that I would one day have the strength to speak openly about my status in a leading HIV magazine. But here I am.
To share your story publicly, especially with strangers, is not easy. But it's powerful. Because you never know who's listening, who's waiting for confirmation that they're not alone...
When we, as a community, have access to support, treatment, care, resources, a stake in what actually happens in our lives – we can change the trajectory of bloodlines for generations to come.
I no longer have the hatred I used to have for my friend, but I still have that trauma from before, and when I think back to that time, I cry.