"You have HIV. HIV3 to be exact." That's what they said—HIV3. I didn't even know what that meant... No one explained it. No one softened it.
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.
I left—not because I wanted to, but because I had to. I left to live.
HIV criminalization is an amalgamation of a lot of things. It is ignorance overlaid with fear and underpinned by the need to exert power over the same people who are being feared.
To anyone who feels stuck, lost, or overlooked: Keep going. Your breakthrough might just be one bold step away.
Dating while living with HIV can be empowering, joyful, and deeply fulfilling—but it also comes with moments of vulnerability, especially when it comes to disclosure.
It all seemed like talk – until it happened... Words could never do this journey justice. But I will try.
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.
Living with HIV for over 20 years, Chanica has transformed her personal journey into a powerful platform rooted in service, storytelling, and systemic change.
Art such as Adriana's couture art contributes to creating safe spaces in our HIV community where dignity is restored and fear of stigma is replaced with connection.