HIV-Positive, Unapologetic and Fabulous

[pinto]

6. Thanks for the post. Coming out as a PWA was swift for me.

Gay was more gradual. Awkward in some ways, like growing up. Yet, thankfully benign all things considered. Supportive family, friends.

AIDS was a different kettle of fish. Sudden in some ways. My partner's ER admission was pretty blunt. The course of his illness was short, brutal and lethal. That's when I came out.

And as the author of the piece here says, "that’s the way it had to be." It became a new world for me. The good, the bad, the ugly. The ups and downs. The fabulous, often decidedly inappropriate comments shared, and the life we lead. Just as anyone else. And I remain unapologetic.

I'm not a victim. I'm not a survivor. I am simply exactly who I am.