A Day With HIV
To mark World AIDS Day on Friday, an important photo campaign is once again sharing the stories and experiences of people around the world who are living with the HIV virus.
An annual project from Positively Aware magazine ― an HIV/AIDS treatment journal published by the Test Positive Aware Network non-profit organization ― “A Day With HIV” tells the story of a 24-hour period of time where people compile different elements of their lives into one comprehensive photo essay. First launched in 2010, “A Day With HIV” continues to provide a humanizing role in elevating the voices of HIV-positive people on a global level.
Advertisement
“Each year the faces change, however the stories of hope and courage in these photos empower others to break through the stigma that often exists in real life for many living with or affected by HIV,” Positively Aware editor-in-chief Jeff Berry previously told HuffPost. “Our hope is that by sharing their stories with one another, we can show that there is life beyond HIV.”
Head here to see more from Positively Aware.
8:10 AM: Amersfoort, The Netherlands
A Day With HIV
Eliane Becks Nininahazwe: On my way to Den Haag [The Hague] to get my visa so I can travel to Burundi, where I will provide HIV education to the indigenous Batwa people.
9:30 AM: Baltimore, Maryland
A Day With HIV
Mark S. King: My dear friend Edwin J. Bernard, an HIV criminalization reform advocate, visited me from England. I am grateful that HIV activism has brought me such wonderful friends.
11:11 AM: New Orleans, Louisiana
A Day With HIV
Eryck Dillard: I took this picture in my office. Though I’m not living with HIV, I can directly relate because this is my community, A day has never gone by that I haven’t fought for my brother, sisters, and gender non-conforming persons who are living with HIV. This is our movement and this is our liberation!
Advertisement
12:38 PM: Los Angeles, California
A Day With HIV
Damone Thomas: As an HIV counselor, a typical day with HIV is preparing the testing lab and being equipped with information for clients: how they can reduce their risks without shame or discrimination in an effort to lower the transmission of HIV and other STIs, and if they are positive, to get them linked to treatment and care immediately.
3:00 PM: Atlanta, Georgia
A Day With HIV
Shyronn: Homework time for my kindergartener.
3:00 PM: Seattle, Washington
A Day With HIV
Anthony Adero Olweny: Being a peer navigator living with HIV, living with HIV is almost like a day-to-day testimony that HIV treatment works.
Advertisement
3:00 PM: Washington state
A Day With HIV
Maggie: I want to post something upbeat for A Day with HIV but for me, I feel loneliness and fear... In the small pockets of time when I get to connect with my positive community, I feel love and acceptance, but those times are so few and far between.”
4:22 PM: San Francisco, California
A Day With HIV
Jésus Guillen: As an HIV-long term survivor, I have many beautiful moments, but also some very painful ones. Every day, learning to live and enjoy the moment; a moment after that, I never know. For the instant, a jump of life.
5:35 PM: Manila, Philippines
A Day With HIV
“Yomi”: After a long counseling session with a client, the day is finally over. Living with HIV does not stop with your diagnosis, especially if you want to make a difference, like helping at a treatment facility. Give hope to those who are newly diagnosed.
Advertisement
5:42 PM: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
A Day With HIV
Andrena Ingram: A lot has happened in a year. I had a pacemaker/defibrillator implanted and am currently living with a heart performance percentage of 20%. My church closed its doors due to financial issues, and I am currently adjusting to living a new normal. I just came from a morning of hanging out with a friend. I’m contemplating the future possibility of a mechanical heart. They don’t do heart transplants on persons with HIV.
6:00 PM: Miami, Florida
A Day With HIV
Alessandro Pino, Andre Ampudia, Matthew Phelps, Andres Sosa, Yoel Moreno, Nicholas Ferrera, and Alejandro Suarez (not shown) of Latinos Salud: HIV doesn’t discriminate; good thing pizza doesn’t either!
6:00 PM: Doha, Qatar
A Day With HIV
David Duran, 37: Eight and a half years HIV-positive, 8 years undetectable, and 5 years since I made a life change, quit my job, and began traveling full-time as a freelance writer. I’ve now been to more than 70 countries and all seven continents, and nothing, including my HIV status, is going to slow me down.
Advertisement
6:31 PM: Brooklyn, New York
A Day With HIV
Lillibeth Gonzalez: Diagnosed 25 years ago. Out and about in Brooklyn, enjoying the wonderful weather. Informing people about preventative measures: PrEP, PEP, antiretrovirals, staying undetectable, and healthy with HIV. I’m unstoppable. #Undetectable for 10 years.
8:28 PM: New York, New York
A Day With HIV
Charles Sanchez: At a rehearsal studio in Manhattan, after a day of meetings and rehearsals for season 2 of my HIV-positive musical comedy web series, "Merce." I take a moment to reflect on how full my life is. Full of creativity, friends, family, music, laughter, and joy. HIV wasn’t invited to my party, but since she’s here, I make that bitch dance!
8:34 PM: Long Beach, California
A Day With HIV
Michael Buitron: The group hug at the end of Support Positive, a newly diagnosed drop-in group I’ve been doing at The LGBTQ Center Long Beach for six years. Two new participants today, along with new disclosures in a room full of non-judgmental, supportive peers.
Advertisement