So regardless of whether he got honest voluntarily, it probably does make the heterosexual community realize that it’s out there and not just something the gay community has to deal with. I do think it forces us to re-examine our belief systems regarding who can and cannot get HIV.
We can only go off of what he is telling us now in light of being outed. We don’t know the exact truth as it relates to Charlie Sheen. I do believe that what happened with Charlie Sheen has started a dialogue and that is a good thing. Caitlyn Jenner is a very brave and courageous woman who, as she navigates through her new life, is all about openness and honesty. Much like Caitlyn Jenner has done for the Transgender community, do you think having a famous face like Charlie Sheen associated with HIV is a good thing? These individuals could seroconvert (the period of time during which HIV antibodies develop and become detectable) with no knowledge and walk around with a high viral load. There is nothing more dangerous than a person who has regular unprotected sex calling themselves “negative” but not knowing their recent status by getting tested frequently. I think the most important thing for people in and outside the gay community to know is this: Know your status and get tested regularly. I find this disturbing some 30 years after the epidemic began. Those outside of our community are seriously under-educated about it. But you’d be surprised at how we still treat one another even within our community. People living with HIV should no longer be treated as pariahs. Nowadays, meds are so advanced that an HIV positive individual can become “undetectable,” thus staying off complications that can lead to AIDS.
LIST OF GAY PORN STARS WHO HAVE HIV FULL
I think the most important thing for people to know is that, if properly managed on an effective med regiment, an individual can live a full and healthy life if positive. This is a discussion I could have for days, but the thing I find most surprising is that HIV is still widely misunderstood. As an advocate for HIV awareness, what do you think is the most important information for the general public to know? With Charlie Sheen’s recent disclosure of his HIV Positive status, the discussion about HIV has now entered mainstream media. He has, however, used these personal experiences as a catalyst to promote HIV awareness and education. In honor of World AIDS Day, Mark’s List recently spoke with adult film star Rocco Steele, who has experienced his fair share of ups and downs with addiction and living with HIV. With celebrities such as Charlie Sheen and Danny Pintauro ( Who’s the Boss?) recently bringing HIV/AIDS into the entertainment headlines, perhaps now is the perfect time for a new, more enlightened conversation on the subject. Although research and support for the HIV/AIDS community has come a long way since the 80s and 90s, a great deal of ignorance and stigma still exists-even within the gay community.