Jason King - AIDS Healthcare Foundation

On January 6th at 9pm EST Jason King shared his story and spoke about AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Jason King, a transplant from Los Angeles, California, lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with his partner. He started working for AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) in 2010 in the organization's pharmacy division where he discovered his passion for patient advocacy.

King now serves as Advocacy and Legislative Affairs Manager in AHF's Southern Bureau, where he leads local and nationwide advocacy efforts and maintains relations with state and federal officials. King has been HIV positive for 6 years and aims to have an active role in reducing stigma that revolves around HIV/AIDS especially in the gay community.

As a former beneficiary of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, King seeks to preserve the program as he joins others in protecting and expanding its capacity to provide lifesaving therapy to those in need. In his free time, King is a runner, a Pride Center volunteer and a classical pianist. Jason was also named
he ADAP Advocacy Associations's (aaa+) 2011 Emerging Leader of the Year!

Listen to our interview with Jason

December 2012 Guests

On Sunday December 9th Jason Villalobos shared his story on the POZ I AM Radio Show. 

 Jason Villalobos is an HIV/AIDS activist and national spokesperson for the Greater Than AIDS Campaign. Diagnosed with AIDS some 8 years ago, he has since dedicated his life to helping eradicate the shame and stigma associated with the disease.

Through public appearances, direct lobbying of elected officials, and partnering with local non-profits in San Francisco, Jason has advocated for more funding and charitable giving through his high profile in the HIV/AIDS activist world.Last World AIDS Day Jason shared his story with www.edgeonthenet.com in the FACES of AIDS Video Series.

Listen to our interview with Jason 

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On Sunday December 16th Ken Warnock shared his story on the POZ I AM Radio Show. Ken Warnock served three years in the Navy prior to being discharged for being gay before “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was even enacted. As a Navy Hospital corpsman, he was involved in the roll out of HIV testing of US military personnel in the mid-80’s. After the Navy, Ken used his military training as a Surgical Technologist to gain employment upon his return home to Michigan. As a result of his experience with discrimination, he became an advocate for gay rights and became involved in a number of local organizations. When DADT was being discussed, Ken was a common local media presence.

In 1988, he contracted Hepatitis B from a scalpel injury during a surgical procedure. This did not preclude him from working in the OR, however, when he was diagnosed with HIV & AIDS in 2002, a routine test demonstrated the presence of the Hepatitis B E-antigen which meant that he could no longer perform invasive surgical procedures. He has become an Adjunct Faculty member at Macomb Community College and at Oakland Community College where he teaches Surgical Technology and Central Services Technology. He also works full-time as a shift supervisor in the Sterile Processing Department of a local hospital.

Listen to our interview with Ken 

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On Sunday December 30th James Breinig shared his story for the first time on POZ I AM Radio. James Breinig lives in southern NJ. James is 29 years old and on November 2, 2010 He thought his life was over. He tested positive for HIV at the Washington West Project in Philadelphia. Not knowing a lot about the disease, He was convinced his life from that point on would be one of pain and suffering. A little over two years later his life has absolutely changed for the better! As time went on he felt that he really wanted to share his story. Not because it is Hollywood material but because it is very similar to a lot of other HIV positive individuals. His hope is that it will touch someone newly diagnosed or someone who has been living with it for years, who may be afraid to tell anyone, and to let them know they're going to be okay.

In the past two years James has learned a lot and he wants to continue educating himself so that he can share that with others. He has been lucky in that he has been showered with love and support, but he knows that not everyone out there is in the same boat. He thinks a big reason is that HIV is still a taboo subject. If more HIV positive people share their story, everyone they reach out to now knows someone who is living with it and hopefully they can see that HIV isn't WHO they are, only something they are living with. It is absolutely possible to lead a long, healthy life thanks to great strides in medicine. He believes that silence only fuels the stigma still surrounding HIV/AIDS, He would like to break that silence one person at a time.

Listen to our interview with James

Chaz Howard - Youth & HIV

On Sunday November 18th at 9pm EST Chaz Howard will be speaking with the POZ I AM Radio Show. Chaz Howard is 19 years old and resides in Des Moines, Iowa. Howard was diagnosed fewer than nine months ago, yet he has made the choice to be completely transparent with regards to his HIV-positive status -- even with friends, family, fellow students and some acquaintances.

Chaz has found care and support that was unexpected and he speaks from the perspective of a newly-diagnosed youth of a mixed ethnicity in a state where a harsh HIV criminalization law exists. Howard is a member/volunteer of Positive Iowans Taking Charge (PITCH), an emotional and social support group run by HIV+ people for HIV+ people.

Chaz also volunteers with an Iowa-based non-profit organization titled Community HIV/Hepatitis Advocates of Iowa Network (CHAIN); CHAIN is spearheading the effort in Iowa to repeal or "modernize" Iowa's Draconian HIV-specific criminalization statute.

Listen to the interview

Jeff Allen - Positive CHampions

On Sunday November 11th at 9pm EST we will be speaking with Activist Jeff Allen on the POZ I AM Radio Show. Jeff Allen tested positive in 1985. He was a drug addict using heroin and cocaine and reckless in his behavior. Jeff was homeless and living in my car for more than two months. Jeff lived in Key west with his partner of 12 years where the HIV community was small and compact. When it came to the end of his life he wanted to leave and go where he was not so well known. After his passing Jeff moved to Deland Florida right outside the Daytona Beach area. He was very frail and weak, but needed a purpose in his life. This is when Jeff first started volunteering with HIV/AIDS in 1995.

Living with no T-cells for 3 years and a viral load 1,650,000 Jeff contracted MAC (Mycobacterium avium complex) from potting plants in my yard. “MAC,” is the name of a group of germs. These germs can infect people who are living with HIV. Jeff had to go on an IV drip for 5 days.

Then Jeff got involved with his local Ryan White consortium (Partnership for Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Planning PCHAP) he ended up chairing the consortium for 7 years. He then decided he wanted to make a difference on the national level. Jeff knew he wanted to get involved with the homeless in some capacity since he was previous homeless. Jeff also knew that he wanted to help improve the quality of care that HIV/AIDS patients receive. So he applied and was accepted in several different positions

Then in 2011 working with his consortium, they needed to address the out of care numbers of clients that they have in the local area. After conducting focus groups and soliciting surveys, it was decided that the real issue was the fear and stigma that is associated with HIV/AIDS. People did not want to get tested in areas know to treat or counsel HIV positive people for fear of being associate with having the disease or being gay. So Jeff created the Positive Champions Speakers Bureau to deal with fear and stigma. www.positivechampions.org

Listen to the interview 

Sophie and Sarah Denison-Johnston - AIDS Free Generation

On Sunday October 21st Robert & Jeromy will be speaking with Sarah and Sophie Denison -Johnston, the daughters of Rebecca Denison. Sophie and Sarah Denison-Johnston were born HIV negative at San Francisco General Hospital in March of 1996.

Their mother, Rebecca Denison, founder of WORLD (Women Organized to Respond to Life-threatening Diseases) who was recently on POZ I AM Radio, participated in the phase 1 trial of nevirapine that led to their negative status. Their mother wrote an article about her decision here:You can read about it here.

Sophie and Sarah feel so honored to have been a part of this monumental step in approaching an AIDS free generation in that they know it's possible to stop mother-daughter transmission of HIV. Their only question is why should we be called fortunate. It's their hope that in the future having access to these types of drugs isn't a privilege. It should be accessible to everyone, no matter who and where they are from.

 Listen to the Interview

Danielle Rogers - Motivational Speaker & Mother

On Sunday September 30th at 9pm EST Danielle Rogers aka “Mama D” will be sharing what it is like to be a parent of an HIV+ child.

 Danielle Rogers embraced the “learning how to make lemonade from lemons” mentality very early in life. As a child she endured a turbulent household and parental instability which meant little encouragement; while emotional abuse defined her daily life. She therefore, developed an inferiority complex and a sense of worthlessness.

As an adult she conceded estrangement from her adult child (Jamar Rogers) who suffered through the self-destructive pain of a six year drug addiction and reckless living. He ultimately contracted HIV. Her son, Jamar Rogers was a recent contestant on The Voice and publicly broke down barriers of stigma by revealing his HIV status on national television. Danielle supported him by showing unconditional love through out his reign on the show.

Danielle is an inspirational speaker, writer, mentor, parent-coach and motivator. However, her greatest love and achievement to date, is her cherished role as the mother of two vivacious, gifted, well-respected adult children and “GrandDiva” to two little princesses! We will be taking your questions for Danielle at 347-215-9442 throughout the show.

Listen to the interview 

Timothy Ray Brown Returns - Timothy Ray Brown Foundation

On Sunday September 23rd at 9pm EST, Timothy Ray Brown is returning to POZ I AM Radio to talk about the Timothy Ray Brown Foundation the world’s first AIDS foundation devoted exclusively to finding a cure for the disease

Timothy Ray Brown is “The Berlin patient”, the man who once had HIV. Although American, he was living in Berlin and receiving treatment for HIV when he was diagnosed in 2006 with leukemia. He was treated by Dr Gero Huetter who had a cutting-edge idea of treating his leukemia with a stem cell transplant from a person who was born immune to HIV infection. The rest is medical history. Timothy is recognized by international researchers as the first and only documented case of a person being cured of HIV.

Now, almost 20 years after he was diagnosed, the 45-year-old is, essentially, cured. He now lives in San Francisco and since he decided to out himself as the person who had been known only as “The Berlin Patient”, he has become a bit of a celebrity at various AIDS functions. His most important goal is to assist in making his cure provide an impetus for creating a universal cure for HIV which will be accessible and available to everyone regardless of their economic means or background. He believes that this is one of the most important challenges to medical scientists of our time. He is counting on your support in assisting the achievement of this goal.

Listen to the interview 

Transwomen and HIV with Dee Borrego

On Sunday September 9th Robert & Jeromy will be speaking with Devarah 'Dee' Borrego. Dee is a 28-year-old, HIV+ transwoman originally from Denver, Colorado, who grew up mostly in suburban Connecticut. She acquired HIV at age 20; the same year as she began her transition. She has been living in the Boston area since 2004 where she has worked with and at a number of different community organizations in the Boston area, including JRI Health, TransCEND, the Boston Living Center and Cambridge Cares About AIDS. She's also a polyglot who speaks Spanish, French, Norwegian, American Sign Language, and a variety of other languages to various degrees.

On the national scene, Dee was also a founding member of the US Positive Women’s Network (US PWN), an organization led by and for HIV+ American women to address the way HIV disproportionately affects women in the US. She currently serves as a Steering Committee member of the US PWN, as well as a member of their Strategic Communications Action Team. She's also a member of the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+) North America's Young Leaders Caucus, and the co-chair of the Economic Justice Working Group for the HIV Prevention Justice Alliance (HIV PJA).

In 2010, Dee was chosen to speak at the Opening Plenary of the US Conference on AIDS (USCA) to discuss how HIV affects transgender youth. Dee attended the International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC during the summer of 2012. At the Conference, she gave presentations along with colleagues for AIDS Alliance for Youth, Families, and Children - now a part of AIDS United - geared at HIV+ youth and their providers on the topic of disclosure. Dee is passionate about the issues surrounding young, HIV+ people, especially transgender women, HIV prevention, HIV criminalization, and youth outreach and education around HIV.

Listen to the interview

The Stigma Project - Live HIV Neutral

This Sunday August 26th the founders of The Stigma Project Chris Richey and Scott McPherson will be speaking with the POZ I AM Radio hosts. The Stigma Project is an up and coming grassroots organization that aims to lower the HIV infection rate and neutralize the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS through education and awareness via social media and advertising. The Stigma Project seeks to create an HIV neutral world, free of judgement and fear by working with both positive and negative individuals from all walks of life, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, race, or background. Social media has rapidly become one of today's largest mediums of news, culture, and education. They hope to embrace that with effective campaigns each season that bring awareness to the current state of HIV.

​"HIV Neutral" is a state of mind, regardless of your status, in which you are informed and aware of the constantly evolving state of HIV/AIDS. Living a "neutral" lifestyle is being a visible advocate in the fight to end HIV and the stigma that strengthens it. It is putting emphasis on the humanity of all people and not casting judgement because of their status, positive or negative. It is standing up, speaking out and educating others.

Simply put, it is being able to make informed decisions about your social and sexual health. Because HIV is now classified as a chronic manageable condition, treatment is now focused on people living full and healthy lives. To truly live "HIV Neutral," we must begin shifting towards a new way of thinking about HIV/AIDS. Moving away from thoughts full of death and sadness and towards thoughts of life and hope for the future.

Listen to the Interview 

Christopher Barnhill - POZitive Impact

On Sunday August 12th at 9pm EST Robert & Jack will be speaking with Christopher Barnhill. Christopher Barnhill is an award-winning HIV/AIDS activist and Founder/CEO of POZitive Impact, LLC.

At 16 he discovered that he was infected at birth with HIV, which inspired him to dedicate his life to promote the awareness of knowing one’s status. For the past 8 years he has been speaking publicly about being positive and has been featured on numerous media outlets such as NPR, BET's 106 & Park, LOGO, MTV, ABC Nightline, Black Enterprise Magazine, and profiled in the book “Travels of a Gay Nation” by Phil Gambone. His goal is to be the hope for other young HIV-positive people, by demonstrating that you can live a productive life. In addition to his many accomplishments, he also has worked on the Obama Administration’s National HIV Strategy in regards to HIV and Youth and a licensed youth minister for The Community Church of Washington DC. 

2012 has been a wonderful year for Christopher as he was the National Spokesmodel for The National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Organization (NBHAAD), featured in the International AIDS Society Documentary "Passing the Torch", and received "The Next Generation Award" from Metro Weekly.  Call the show with your questions for Christopher at 347-215-9442

Listen to the interview 

Maria Mejia - Out & Proud HIV+ Lesbian

On Sunday August 5th at 9pm EST Maria Mejia will be talking with Robert & Jeromy on the POZ I AM Radio Show. Maria Mejia is a a 39-year-old Colombian female who lives in Miami, Florida. She has been positive for 20 years. Although almost all my life she has been in long-term relationships with HIV-negative men,She is happily married to a woman who is wonderful and caring. We have been together almost three years and she is HIV negative. Maria is a activist, a peer educator, a caregiver. She volunteered for the Red Cross in education for the Hispanic HIV community and also the American community. She was a pre- and post-test counselor. She has spoke at many conferences and done a lot of outreach in the community, especially in the schools for prevention and education. It is part of her everyday life to educate everyone she can on this subject. Maria also blogs for TheBody.com - Check out her blog here

" Being HIV positive is nothing to be ashamed about! We are strong women, and we will take away all the stigmas slowly but we have to open up." - Maria Mejia 

Listen to the interview 

POZ I AM Radio broadcasting LIVE from IAC

For the first time in 22 years the International AIDS Conference is coming to the United States. Specifically Washington D.C.from Sunday July 22nd - Friday July 27th. To mark this special occasion Robert and Jeromy will be broadcasting live from Washington D.C.throughout the week of the International AIDS Conference.  With so much to do this week we want to try out best to cover as much as possible for those who could not attend the conference in person.

Here is the list of days and times we are broadcasting live next week from Washington DC.


Sunday July 22nd @ 5pm EST - Pre-IAC Show - Live with Robert & Jeromy
Monday July 23rd @9pm EST - Live with Robert,Jeromy& Mondo Guerra
Tuesday July 24th @9pm EST -Live with Robert, Jeromy & Daniel Bauer 
Wednesday July 25th - NO SHOW
Thursday July 26th -  NO SHOW
Friday July 27th - NO SHOW
Sunday July 29th @9pm EST - IAC Recap Show

You can listen to any of the above shows live by visiting www.blogtalkradio.com/poziam at the times listed above or as an archive at anytime afterwards. If you are attending the conference we want you to call into the show at (347)215-9442  and share your experience ?

David Purdy - AIDS 2012 Reunion

On Sunday July 15th at 9pm EST I will be speaking with David Purdy on the POZ I AM Radio Show. David Purdy is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of World AIDS Institute. David has dedicated the past 23 years to the education and de-stigmatization of AIDS to create an acute awareness of this growing problem facing the globe. Successfully battling his own fight with HIV, David has continued to champion for new science and technology that can one day lead to the eradication of this disease.

Dave will be sharing his story and speaking about AIDS 2012 Reunion events , including Beyond Belief with Daniel Bauer, that will be taking place in Washington DC this July. AIDS 2012 Reunion is the one-stop resource for community events before, during and after the XIX International AIDS Conference (Washington, DC, July 20-28); for persons living with HIV and AIDS, the LGBTQ community and the general public.

Listen to the interview 

Jump On Board with HashTagHIV - Photo Challenge

In the month of July we are asking you to jump on board with POZ I AM Radio & HashTagHIV and participate in another HIV/AIDS Awareness Photo Challenge. This month we are asking you to snap a photo of yourself and the #HIV Tweeter on Board sign. (see left

  

Be Creative... Be Original ... Be a Trend Setter

What is a Hash Tag ?
The # symbol, called a HashTag, is used to mark keywords or topics in a Tweet. It was created organically by Twitter users as a way to categorize messages. Hashtagged words that become very popular are often Trending Topics. That is our Goal to make #HIV a Trending Topic.

What is HashTagHIV ?

Aaron's Photo

HashTagHIV is a Global Initiative to trend the #HIV on Twitter for the first time ever in history during International AIDS Conference. The goal is to trend #HIV and re-engage the community and re-ignite the conversation about# HIV. You can help us our by following @HashTagHIV and by adding #HIV to your tweets.

How do I  Submit a Photo ?
You can upload your photo directly to the HashTagHIV FB page.  It is that easy ! Once it is uploaded to the page your submission is complete. You can also submit your photo by tweeting them to @HashTagHIV on Twitter.

Robert's Photo

What are the Rules ?
The only rules are that the photo must include the #HIV Tweeter on Board Sign and the person submitting the photo. Photos can only be submitted by individuals. Yes we love group shots but the prize for this challenge can only be rewarded to a singe individual. So any group pics submitted will not be considered to win the prize.

How is a winner decided ?

Jeromy's Photo

The winner of the challenge will be chosen by  a panel of 8 Judges which include the HashTagHIV Team (Kevin Maloney,Robert Breining, Daniel Bauer, Aaron Laxton, Michele Anderson and Jeromy Dunn), Maria Mejia (our last photo challenges winner) and Butch McKay of AIDSOASIS. The winner will be chosen based on mixture of creativity, originality and Likes. We take the number of Likes into consideration but the winning photo is not chosen solely on Likes.

Daniel's Photo

When is the winner announced?
The winner of this challenge will be announced live and the winning photo will be showcased at the International AIDS Conference in Washington D.C. during Daniel Bauer's  Beyond Belief event. The winner will be notified beforehand to make sure he/she can accept the prize.


What's the prize ?
The winner of this challenge will be awarded a single Scholarship to the Positive Living 16 Conference that takes place on March 8-10 2013 in Fort Walton Beach,Florida. The Scholarship includes Registration, 3 nights lodging and all meals. Please NOTE - The scholarship prize does not include airfare or transportation to Ft. Walton Beach Florida.

The photos included in this post were created by the HashTagHIV Team members to provide some inspiration for you photo. Submit you photo today

Timothy Brown - 1st Man Cured of HIV talks to POZ I AM Radio

 This Sunday July 8th at 9pm EST I will be speaking with Timothy Ray Brown aka “The Berlin Patient”. Timothy Brown is the man who once had HIV. Although American, he was living in Berlin and receiving treatment for HIV when he was diagnosed in 2006 with leukemia. He was treated by Dr Gero Huetter who had a cutting-edge idea of treating his leukemia with a stem cell transplant from a person who was born immune to HIV infection. The rest is medical history. Timothy is recognized by international researchers as the first and only documented case of a person being cured of HIV. Now, almost 20 years after he was diagnosed, the 45 year old is, essentially, cured. He now lives in San Francisco and since he decided to out himself as the person who had been known only as “The Berlin Patient”, he has become a bit of a celebrity at various AIDS functions. His most important goal is to assist in making his cure provide an impetus for creating a universal cure for HIV which will be accessible and available to everyone regardless of their economic means or background. He believes that this is one of the most important challenges to medical scientists of our time. He is counting on your support in assisting the achievement of this goal.

 This past month some controversy has been stirring among scientists, activists, and the media due to developments in the case of the Berlin Patient. Timothy hopes to share his story and clear up some rumors.

Listen to the interview with Timothy Brown 

Shawn Decker - The Rebel Returns

This Sunday July 1st at 9pm EST Robert and Jeromy will be speaking with the original "Positoid" Shawn Decker. Infected with HIV as a child through the contaminated blood products used to treat his hemophilia, Shawn learned early in life about discrimination. Within a month of testing positive for the virus, he was kicked out of the 6th grade. By all accounts, he wasn’t expected to live five years.

After beating the odds and graduating from high school, Shawn opened up about his life, creating one of the first “poz blogs” in 1996 describing his life as a then twenty-year old dating with HIV. He penned a column for Poz Magazine, entitled “Positoid”, and his first book, My Pet Virus: The True Story of a Rebel Without a Cure, was published by the Penguin Group in 2006. He tours the United States with his wife partner, Gwenn Barringer, discussing sexual health and HIV issues and also fronts his band, Synthetic Division, giving out ONE Condoms at their live shows.

Listen to the interview 

Nick Rhoades - HIV Criminalization

On Sunday June 24th at 9pm, POZ I AM Radio will be speaking with Nick Rhoades. Nick Rhoades was convicted of “Criminal Transmission of HIV” in Iowa in 2008, even though his viral load was undetectable, he wore a condom and his accuser did not contract HIV. He was sentenced to 25years in prison and lifetime sex offender registration. After a year of total incarceration, the judge reconsidered Nick’s sentence and released him on five years probation, as well as the sex offender registration requirement. His case for post-conviction relief is still ongoing.

Nick's story was recently featured in Sean Strub's upcoming documentary HIV is Not a Crime.

Today he works as an Outreach and Event Specialist with The Center for HIV Law and Policy’s Positive Justice Project, which combats HIV criminalization. He spoke in Geneva, Switzerland, about HIV criminalization at the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board’s meeting in December, 2011, and as part of a panel discussion organized by the UN Human Rights Council meeting in March, 2012. Rhoades has also volunteered with the Community HIV/Hepatitis Advocates of Iowa Network(CHAIN), Iowa Community Planning Group, Positive Iowans Taking Charge (PITCH)and as a board member with Community AIDS Assistance Project, in Waterloo, Iowa.

Listen to the interview

Michael Kearns - The Truth is Bad Enough

On Father's Day Sunday June 17th POZ I AM radio will be speaking with Michael Kearns a HIV+ Father. Michael Kearns is an American actor, Author, director, teacher, producer, and activist. Long before coming out of the closet was considered a career move in the entertainment industry, Kearns was the first Hollywood actor on record to come out in the mid-seventies, amidst a shocking amount of homophobia. He subsequently made television history 1991 announcing on Entertainment Tonight that he was HIV positive.

In 1992, as an openly HIV+ actor, Kearns starred in a segment of ABC's  Life Goes On in which he played a character who had the HIV virus. He also played Cleve Jones in the HBO adaptation of Randy Shilts' And the Band Played On, appeared in A Mother's Prayer, It's My Party and had a recurring role on Beverly Hills, 90210. Other television and film credits include Cheers, Murder, She Wrote, The Waltons, L.A. Tool & Die, Knots Landing, General Hospital, Days of our Lives, and Brian De Palma's Body Double.

In 1995, Kearns began proceedings that resulted in his adoption in 1997 of a child. He presently lives in Los Angeles with his daughter who turned seventeen in August 2011. Kearns will be sharing about his new book  “The Truth is Bad Enough: What Became of the Happy Hustler” (now available on Amazon) and what it is like to be an HIV+ Father. Visit Micheal's website for more information

Listen to the interview - Click here 

Straight to the Point with Michael Lloyd

On Sunday June10th at 9pm EST,the POZ I AM Radio Show will be speaking with Michael Lloyd. Michael Lloyd an outspoken young man, from Orlando, Florida. He seems too young to be such a regarded leader when it comes to HIV/AIDS in the Orlando, and the central Florida area. For the past two and a half years and not only has he been an inspiration to others by fund raising for Hope and Help, a local HIV service organization but also through the efforts to share his story of his struggle after being diagnosed with HIV, on January 26, 2010. He simply presents himself as a confident man with the desire to improve the lives of all those dealing with the struggle of HIV.

Michaels own struggle wasn't the easiest although after hard work, tough love, and a very strong support group, Lloyd says that he accounts everything to God and his family. "If it wasn't for them I'd have to say I wouldn't really be here today"

Michaels battle with methamphetamine as a cloud to cover the inability to accept himself with HIV is the reason he's on the show today, it his mission to be an example to other gay men his age that they don't have to fall in step with the societal norm the gay community has set.

Listen to the interview - Click here

Red Ribbon Photo Challenge

I have been thinking of a cool and fun way to raise awareness that hasn't been done before. I recently came up with the Red Ribbon Photo Challenge.  I have a friend who has done photo challenges and they are fun. So let the Red Ribbon Photo Challenge begin. After 30 years, this June being the first ever HIV/AIDS awareness month. So we at POZ I AM are asking you to put the red ribbon back on to educate others. We are asking you to post creative photos of yourself raising awareness using a red ribbon.

How challenge works: Once your photo is uploaded invite your friends and family to LIKE the POZ I AM Radio page then LIKE your photo in the Red Ribbon Photo Challenge Album. The photo with the most likes wins a cool prize. (only likes on the photos in the album will be counted) Voting closes on June 30th at midnight. The winner will be announced on July 1st POZ I AM Radio Show at 9pm.

 

Submissions by Dab Garner and Dwayne Bourque

How to submit your photo :  Upload your Red Ribbon photo to Facebook and Tag the POZIAM Radio Show or upload it directly to the POZIAM RADIO SHOW page  You can also email them to me at Robert@poziam.com by June 10th 2012.