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 

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 

Ryan Wilcox - Ice Skater and Long Term AIDS Survivor

This Sunday May 24th at 9pm EST the POZ I AM Radio hosts will be speaking with long term HIV/AIDS survivor & Ice Skater Ryan Wilcox. Ryan Wilcox is a 50-year-old Denverite, who was born in Greeley and raised on a dairy farm in Ca on City. In 1979, he contracted HIV/AIDS before there even was the diagnosis of AIDS. Doctors initially diagnosed him with Cyclo Mega Virus (which was essentially an umbrella term to describe many viruses the doctors could not at the time identify).

In 1981 his illness became GRID (Gay Related Immune Deficiency) and finally in 1984 he received the official prognosis of AIDS. Ryan has been living with AIDS for almost 31 one years, being one of the first to experience the struggles and stigmas that come with the disease. After losing his partner of many in years in 1989 due to AIDS, Ryan started a slow decline into depression and failing health.By 2006, Ryan was walking with a cane and his weight had fallen to 97 pounds. It was in 2006 that Ryan had first heard of the Gay Games, when he was invited by friends to participate and "flag" for the opening ceremonies in Chicago. Due to his health, he was not able to attend..

After learning about the Gay Games, Ryan was inspired to change his life. He wanted to participate in the 2010 Gay Games. He then returned to his childhood passion and sport of figure skating, which his grandmother had him involved in as a child in Colorado Springs. Ryan enrolled in a "Learn To Skate" program at Big Bear Ice Arena in Denver and also began taking private lessons. Slowly his strength and articulation came back to him. 

At the time, He didn't know how he would get there (Germany) but that was his dream,. That is how Ryan's dream started but it has transformed into something else entirely. Ryan's dream is far from over as he is now in the process of trying to raise money to send himself and his skating coach to Germany in August. Being on disability for so many years has prevented Ryan from being able to work a normal job because he would lose his health care benefits.

Listen to the interview - Click Here

Robert Suttle - HIV Criminalization

Tonight I will be speaking with Robert Suttle on POZ I AM Radio. Robert will be sharing his experiences of being subject to HIV criminalization and how he is advocating for change. Robert Suttle was convicted under Louisiana’s HIV-specific criminal statute after accepting a plea bargain and served six months in a Louisiana prison for HIV non-disclosure to a former partner, with whom he had a contentious relationship. Upon his release in January 2011, he has become engaged in anti-criminalization advocacy work.

Today he is now assistant director of The SERO Project, a new nonprofit initiative combating HIV criminalization, stigma, and discrimination, promoting the empowerment of people with HIV, providing support to those charged or at risk of being prosecuted.

Jeromy, Robert & Robert

Prior to joining, SERO in March 2012, Suttle was a case manager and prevention specialist at the Philadelphia Center, a local AIDS service organization in Shreveport, Louisiana, working with other positive young African American men who have sex with men.

 Robert is also featured in the documentary film HIV is Not A Crime, has traveled abroad to Geneva, Switzerland to speak at the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board’s meeting in December, 2011, and Oslo, Norway for UNAIDS High Level Consultation on HIV criminalization in February, 2012, sharing his story. Robert is active with the Positive Justice Project and the HIV Justice Network.

Listen to the interview - Click here

Jamar Rogers - After his Elimination

Photo Credit - NBC The Voice

Tomorrow Friday May 4th at 12pm EST the POZ I AM Radio show hosts Robert Breining and Jack Mackenroth will be speaking with Jamar Rogers about his time as a contestant on The Voice.

This past Tuesday brought the end of the road for four contestants on The Voice, none more shocking to us than our friend Jamar Rogers. With only eight singers left in the competition heading into the elimination Tuesday , Jamar faced teammate Juliet Simms in a battle to represent Team Cee Lo in the finals. Cee Lo gave 60 points to Juliet Simms and 40 ponts to Jamar Rogers.When combined with America's vote, the final result of 121-79 in favor of Juliet. So our friend Jamar may not of won the title of the The Voice but he definitely won the hearts of America.

We also want to encourage all of Jamar's Family (his fans) to call into the live show at 347-215-9442 and share their feelings about Jamar's journey. You can also tweet us @POZIAM with your questions for Jamar. We may ask your question on air.

Listen to the LIVE broadcast  - click here 

Listen to our first interview with Jamar after disclosing his HIV status on The Voice here 

or read the transcripts of that interview here.

Jim Geary - Delicate Courage

This Sunday April 29th at 9pm EST, I will be speaking with the Author of Delicate Courage, Jim Geary on POZ I AM Radio. I first met Jim Geary and his partner Jeff Allen at the PL14 Conference. I felt an instant connection with them. Sometimes you meet someone it feels like you met them before or knew them your whole life. This is how it felt for me. I was so happy to reconnected with them again this year at PL15 and I took it as a sign to have Jim on my show.

Jim Geary moved to San Francisco in 1974 and began working as a nurse's aide on an oncology floor. Because of his reputation and ability to provide compassionate interaction and nurturing touch he was frequently assigned to patients who were in the process of dying. During this period Jim also continued his political activism in San Francisco working with Supervisor Harvey Milk and others to defeat the anti-gay Briggs Initiative, which sought to fire all gay and lesbians teachers in the state, as well as non-gay teachers who associated with them.

Jim Geary - Robert & Jeff Allen

Jim volunteered for Shanti Project in 1978 as an emotional support counselor working with people and loved ones who were facing a life-threatening illness. In a few months he became director of volunteer/client services. In October 1981 he formed what was to be the first support group for individuals with AIDS in the world.

When Shanti Project lost its funding in 1982, Jim volunteered to work for no money to keep the organization afloat while he sought funding for the AIDS services that were so desperately needed. Serving as executive director for seven years he oversaw and developed this premier agency into an internationally acclaimed model of AIDS services which included: an emotional support program, practical support program, residential program, San Francisco General Hospital AIDS unit counseling program, AIDS information and referral program and the recreational activities program.

He is recognized internationally as a respected trainer on the psychosocial issues of people with AIDS, grief counselor, and leader in the development of AIDS services. Jim has been a resident of Ormond Beach since 1989 where he has continued to provide training and service to local AIDS organizations. Jim shares his life with his lover, Jeff Allen, and their two Pomeranians Jasper and Benji.
 Learn more : www.delicatecourage.com

Listen to Jim Geary's Interview - Click Here

Join in on the conversation in the #PIARadio live chat room or 

call the show and listen live by phone 347-215-9442 

My Reflection of Positive Living 15

This past week I had the opportunity to present and attend the Positive Living 15 Conference in Fort Walton Beach Florida. I arrived on Thursday night and found myself very excited. I was like a 6 year old on Christmas eve. You see when I attended this conference last year it unexpectedly changed my life. So this year I wasn't nervous. I knew I was about to have an amazing experience. Plus I knew more people attending the conference this year then I did the year before. So I didn't have to stay in my hotel room and be anti-social. I spoke there last year but this year it was going to be different. Since my friend Dab Garner wasn't able to make it this year. I promised to spread his 30+ year message and take plenty of pictures with my Dab the AIDS Bear. I and many other Ambassadors of Hope were there representing for Dab the AIDS Bear Project.

 

 

Purchase your own Dab the AIDS Bear - click here

This year I had the pleasure of having my POZ I AM Radio co-host Jeromy Dunn join me on stage. Can you believe that Jeromy and I have been hosting the show together for almost 4 years and never met face to face before this conference. So after registration and getting settled in my room I was off to meet my co-host for the first time. I went down to the lobby bar and had beer while I was waiting to meet Mr. Dunn. Then Jeromy entered the lobby. I excused myself from the conversation I was having and ran up behind him and gave him a hug. When he turned around it was like seeing an old friend from high school. It felt like I knew my whole life. After 4 years of talking on the phone almost every Sunday meeting Jeromy alone made the trip to the sunshine state worth it.

Fridays Brunch was at 10am. Then it was time for Activate U Advocacy Academy presented by Jesse Fry, Butch McKay and Rick Vitale. This is one of my favorites parts about the conference. The half-day event presented us with the latest information and techniques for effective advocacy to help shape the future of HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention. They taught us about the history and continued importance of HIV/AIDS Advocacy. They covered how to build  meaningful relationships with your representatives. They also gave updates on important issues like the AIDS Drug Assistant Programs.(ADAP) Medicaid and Housing. This will kick start the advocacy in anyone. After Activate U we had the opportunity hear Kali Lindsey on NMAC covered the Epidemic from start to finish.I thought Kali was a great speaker. He made me make a promise to myself to never be silent in a room full of activist. 

 

Photo Credit Mario Ferri

Next was a bunch of breakout sessions. With so many amazing presentation it can difficult to decide what to go to. One of my favorite activist, Joey Wynn of the ADAP Advocacy Association  presented on the ADAP Crisis. At the same time Robert Suttle was presenting "HIV is Not a Crime" a documentary on HIV Criminalization. This issue is a hot topic right now in our community. SoI knew it was going to be well attended. I was right I walked in and the room was packed. I wanted to be there and support Robert during his first time presenting. Monique Moree and Robert ,who both appear in HIV is Not a Crime, are scheduled to share their story on an upcoming  episode of POZ I AM radio. Meeting the both of them in person after knowing them online for awhile now was refreshing. They both could of chose to hide and not talk about their situations but they chose to stand up and be a voice for all of us living with HIV. I respectfully applaud them both for the work they do.

      

Heart Rock

Before our dinner on Friday we held a Heart Circle on the beach. It was the most amazing this I ever experienced. Those that participated stood in a circle on the beach and held hands. We passed a Heart shaped rock around, the person with the heart in their hand was able to speak freely about loved ones they have lost. It was a very touching and emotional moment. While listening to others share stories of their loved ones it allowed me to reflect on mine. When the heart entered my hand, I felt a sense of calmness come over me. My heart stop pounding out of my chest just enough for me to feel the ocean breeze on my face. I lifted my head and then I felt this amazing sense of unity. I wanted to remember so many people that I lost in that moment. At first while trying not to cry I mentioned my father. I lost him over a decade ago and I wished he could see the man I have become. I know he would be proud. Then I took a moment to remember a friend named Richard. Richard was in my weekly support. I wasn't real close with Richard but in the brief time I knew him, he always went out of his way to thank me for advocating and ask me how my day was. His gentle demeanor reminded me of my father. The Heart Circle even included children and teenagers who shared in  support of and in memory of their HIV+ parents. It was truly a moment I will never forget.

While on the beach I had some young ladies who were attending the conference 

with their mother take this photo of me. 

After the Heart Circle we all piled back into the hotel for dinner. While everyone was socializing and eating we enjoyed some musical entertainment. The a capella group Harmonic Distractions sang some songs and even performed a few numbers using iPads as instruments. It was pretty cool. During their act I noticed they had 2 huge  blow up microphones. When I saw them I knew I wanted to take a photo of Jeromy and I with one of them. During the dinner they also presented the Martin Delaney - Power of One - annual award to Mississippi Activist Robin Webb for his tireless efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Congrats Robin it is well deserved. Also during the dinner they announced that Tom Liberti is retiring this March, after 38 years of service to the Department of Health, and is Chief of the Bureau of HIV/AIDS. In this celebration they awarded him a fishing pole,hat and cooler to enjoy during his retirement. Thank you Tom for all your hard work you done over the years.

 

Saturday morning 8am came early. I got up had some breakfast and attended a session on Harm Reduction & Drug Interaction (HIV Drugs & Street Drugs) that was given by George Burges. I purposely went to this breakout because as an addict ,even with 10 years clean from meth, I need to remind myself how bad it was so I never go back. The breakout hit the spot.

 

Then it was off to find Jeromy to prepare for our presentation that was at 1pm. We brainstormed for a bit then headed down for lunch. Before we knew it we had to go back upstairs. Of course we went up to every table and shamelessly plugged our presentation that was in 30 minutes. Once we reached the last table we headed to the room to set up.  This was the first time Jeromy and I were speaking together so it could of went 2 ways. Really good or really bad. Overall we got some great feedback form those who attended our session. We will of-course reflect and critique but I thought we did pretty good for first timers. What I love about presenting at the Positive Living Conference is getting to meet POZ-I-AMers. People who I chat with everyday and who listen to my radio show every week. Meeting all of them is what makes my heart smile. The 1 on 1 conversations with them are priceless. We even got a POZ-I-AMers group photo which is always fun.

Photo Credit JT Talley

After our presentation I went down to support my fellow TheBody.com blogger Mark S. King On my way to Mark's presentation I spotted a panel of the AIDS Quilt. I took that as a sign to take a picture. So me and fellow advocate, Kevin Maloney did just that. Mark did a presentation on "Bridging the Viral Divide between Positive & Negative People". Mark used role playing as a way to have the audience interact with one another. I left that breakout with a better understanding of just how divided Positive and Negative people are and how much us living with HIV/AIDS still need to do. I got so wrapped up in Mark's presentation that I totally forgot to run back upstairs and see my friends Jim Geary and Jeff Allen present on Faith Based HIV Prevention Efforts. At conferences like this one it is so hard to experience all the great breakouts it has to offer. It gives me a reason to go back next year.

Purchase your own HIV Anti-Stigma T-shirt - click here

During Saturday nights dinner we had the pleasure of hearing the hilarious River Huston. River is an HIV+ Comedian, Blogger and Safer Sex Educator. I spoke to her on my radio show before but never met her face to face. I was thrilled about the opportunity. Before she started I introduced myself and had a pic taken with her. Once she got on stage and opened her mouth she had us all captivated. She literally had everyone on the edge of their seats and laughing so hard that we were crying. I don't remember if I ever laughed that hard before in my life. I laughed myself a headache. My T-cells must of multiplied within those 90 minutes. She was just what the doctor ordered.

I then met up with Jeff and Jim after the dinner. I wanted to reconnect with them again since I missed their breakout earlier that day. When I get a chance to speak with activists like these 2 guys I hang on every word they say. These moments and these conversations are priceless. These two guys gave me some incredible feedback on our presentation and my work as an activist. I was on cloud nine after my visit with them. Later that evening they held a Dance Party in one of the conference rooms. People get the chance to dance, relax or just socialize. It was also when I took the time to say good by to every since I was leaving in the morning.

Jeromy and I had an early flight on Sunday. We met Wendy in the lobby at 9am and then off to the airport. Jeromy and I were on the same flight to Atlanta. Once there we had lunch, took one last photo and then parted our separate ways. Only to pick up the phone in 4 hours to host a  POZ I AM radio show that night. We did a full show of Reflecting on the PL15 Conference. We had people call in and share their experience at PL15 conference. We even had one group call in who were still traveling home from the conference. They stopped in a McDonalds in Mississippi and opened their laptop to listen to the show live. I was so touched by them doing that.

I honestly met and reconnected with so many incredible people. The diversity of this conference is another bonus if you ask me. The conference was attended by at least 400 people living with HIV/AIDS. There were attendees from 22 states and from all walks of life. Gay - Straight - Transgender We were all were represented at PL15. That's because HIV/AIDS is a HUMAN issue. I met this one guy named Will who has been living with the virus for 33 years. That is longer then I have been on this earth. The next day I turn around and met someone who was diagnosed 3 weeks ago. I was shocked. The amount courage it took for him to go to a conference after 3 weeks of knowing his HIV status is tremendous. I couldn't think of a better place for him to be. I also met a hilarious group 5 individuals from Alabama who traveled to the conference together and were all first time attendees. Meeting these people and making life long connections with them is what Positive Living is all about.

   

The Positive Living conference is something that has changed the lives of those that have attended. If you are able to attend this conference in the future I highly recommend it. It is like no other I have attended. I wanted to send a special thank you to Butch Mckay, Rachel and the entire staff of OASIS (Okaloosa AIDS Support & Informational Services) for all the hard work in putting this fabulous conference together. This fantastic conference is in need of some major funding in order to return next year for a PL16. Jeromy and I took a pledge to help raise funds for Positive Living 16. If you or someone you know would like to make a donation toward helping PL16 happen next year . Please contact Butch McKay and tell him Robert & Jeromy sent ya.

Listen to the history of the Positive Living Conferences with Butch McKay 

Listen to the Reflections of PL15  - POZ-I-AM Radio Show