[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.81,0:00:04.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I want to start this talk\Nby showing y'all a photo,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:04.91,0:00:08.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's a photo many of you\Nhave probably seen before.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:08.37,0:00:11.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I want you all to take a moment
Dialogue: 0,0:00:11.11,0:00:12.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and look at this photo
Dialogue: 0,0:00:12.93,0:00:16.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and really reflect on some\Nof the things that come to mind,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.39,0:00:20.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and what are some\Nof those things, those words.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:20.02,0:00:24.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I'm going to ask you all\Nyou all to look at me.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:24.60,0:00:26.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What words come to mind\Nwhen you look at me?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.94,0:00:31.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What separates that man up there
Dialogue: 0,0:00:31.74,0:00:34.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from me?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:34.07,0:00:37.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The man in that photo\Nis named David Kirby,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:37.24,0:00:40.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it was taken in 1990 as he\Nwas dying from AIDS-related illness,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.52,0:00:44.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it was subsequently\Npublished in Life Magazine.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:44.12,0:00:47.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The only real thing\Nseparating me from Kirby
Dialogue: 0,0:00:47.97,0:00:50.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is about 30 years of medical advancements\Nin the way that we treat HIV and AIDS.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:50.50,0:00:58.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what I want to ask next is this:
Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.27,0:01:01.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if we have made such exponential progress
Dialogue: 0,0:01:01.10,0:01:02.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in combatting HIV,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.88,0:01:08.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,why haven't our perceptions\Nof those with the virus evolved alongside?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.14,0:01:13.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why does HIV elicit this reaction from us\Nwhen it's so easily managed?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.90,0:01:17.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When did the stigmatization even occur,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:17.67,0:01:19.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and why hasn't it subsided?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.84,0:01:24.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And these are not\Neasy questions to answer.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:24.37,0:01:28.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They're the congealing\Nof so many different factors and ideas.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:28.12,0:01:30.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Powerful images, like this one of Kirby,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:30.72,0:01:34.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,these were the faces of the AIDS crisis\Nin the '80s and '90s,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:34.10,0:01:37.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and at the time the crisis\Nhad a very obvious impact
Dialogue: 0,0:01:37.25,0:01:39.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on an already stigmatized group of people,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:39.50,0:01:41.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that was gay men.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:41.38,0:01:44.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what the general straight public saw\Nwas this very awful thing
Dialogue: 0,0:01:44.38,0:01:50.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,happening to a group of people who\Nwere already on the fringes of society.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:50.37,0:01:53.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The media at the time began\Nto use the two almost interchangeably,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:53.82,0:01:55.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,gay and AIDS,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:55.48,0:01:58.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and at the 1984 Republican\NNational Convention,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:58.56,0:02:03.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,one of the speakers joked\Nthat gay stood for "got AIDS yet?"
Dialogue: 0,0:02:04.21,0:02:06.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that was the mindset at the time.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.83,0:02:09.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But as we started\Nto understand the virus more
Dialogue: 0,0:02:09.60,0:02:10.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and how it was transmitted,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:10.98,0:02:14.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we realized that that risk\Nhad increased its territory.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.59,0:02:19.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The highly profiled case\Nof Ryan White in 1985,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:19.34,0:02:22.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who was a 13-year old hemophiliac\Nwho had contracted HIV
Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.98,0:02:25.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from a contaminated blood treatment,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:25.10,0:02:30.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and this marked the most profound shift\Nin America's perception of HIV.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:30.76,0:02:34.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No longer was it restricted\Nto these dark corners of society,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.35,0:02:36.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to queers and drug users,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:36.34,0:02:38.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but now it was affecting people
Dialogue: 0,0:02:38.15,0:02:41.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that society deemed\Nworthy of their empathy,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.11,0:02:42.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to children.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:42.52,0:02:47.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But that permeating fear\Nand that perception, it still lingers.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:47.93,0:02:51.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I want a show of hands\Nfor these next few questions.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:51.12,0:02:54.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How many of you in here\Nwere aware that with treatment,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:54.46,0:02:58.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,those with HIV not only\Nfend off AIDS completely,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:58.24,0:03:02.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they live full and normal lives?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.49,0:03:04.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Y'all are educated.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:04.68,0:03:05.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:03:05.64,0:03:07.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How many of you are aware\Nthat with treatment,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:07.36,0:03:11.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,those with HIV can reach\Nan undetectable status,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:11.48,0:03:15.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that makes them\Nvirtually uninfectious?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:15.53,0:03:17.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Much less.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:17.31,0:03:21.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How many of you were aware\Nof the pre- and post-exposure treatments
Dialogue: 0,0:03:21.79,0:03:24.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that are available that reduce\Nthe risk of transmission
Dialogue: 0,0:03:24.87,0:03:26.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by over 90 percent?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:27.48,0:03:32.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,See, these are incredible advancements\Nthat we have made in fighting HIV,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:32.25,0:03:35.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,yet they have not managed\Nto dent the perception
Dialogue: 0,0:03:35.16,0:03:39.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that most Americans have of the virus\Nand those living with it.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:39.21,0:03:44.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I don't want you to think\NI'm downplaying the danger of this virus,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:44.82,0:03:48.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I am not ignorant of\Nthe harrowing past of the AIDS epidemic.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.72,0:03:52.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I am trying to convey\Nthat there is hope for those infected,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:52.100,0:03:55.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and HIV is not the death sentence\Nit was in the '80s.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:55.88,0:03:59.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And now you may ask, and I asked\Nthis question myself initially,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:59.63,0:04:01.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where are the stories?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:01.56,0:04:05.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Where are these people living with HIV?\NWhy haven't they been vocal?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:05.58,0:04:09.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How can I believe these successes,\Nor these statistics,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.83,0:04:14.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without seeing the successes?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:14.07,0:04:17.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this is actually\Na very easy question for me to answer.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.33,0:04:20.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Fear, stigma, and shame:
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.06,0:04:24.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,these keep those living with HIV\Nin the closet, so to speak.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:24.73,0:04:28.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Our sexual histories are as personal\Nto us as our medical histories,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:28.36,0:04:30.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and when you overlap the two,\Nyou can find yourself
Dialogue: 0,0:04:30.69,0:04:33.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a very sensitive space.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:33.14,0:04:36.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The fear of how others\Nperceive us when we're honest
Dialogue: 0,0:04:36.04,0:04:38.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,keeps us from doing many things in life,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:38.64,0:04:41.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and this is the case\Nfor the HIV-positive population.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:41.98,0:04:47.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To face social scrutiny and ridicule\Nis the price that we pay for transparency,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.44,0:04:52.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and why become a martyr\Nwhen you can effectively pass
Dialogue: 0,0:04:52.03,0:04:54.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as someone without HIV?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:54.78,0:04:56.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After all, there are no\Nphysical indications you have the virus.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:56.98,0:05:00.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's no sign that you wear.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:00.15,0:05:03.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There is safety in assimilation,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:03.00,0:05:06.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and there is safety in invisibility.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.75,0:05:11.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm here to throw back that veil\Nand share my story.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.28,0:05:15.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So in the fall of 2014,\NI was a sophomore in college,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:15.40,0:05:19.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and like most college students,\NI was sexually active,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.19,0:05:23.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I generally took precautions\Nto minimize the risk that sex carries.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:23.59,0:05:27.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now I say generally,\Nbecause I wasn't always safe.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:27.72,0:05:30.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It only takes a single misstep\Nbefore we're flat on the ground,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:30.69,0:05:32.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and my misstep is pretty obvious.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.50,0:05:36.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had unprotected sex,\Nand I didn't think much of it.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:36.27,0:05:38.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Fast forward about three weeks,\Nand it felt like I'd been trampled
Dialogue: 0,0:05:38.50,0:05:42.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by a herd of wildebeest.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:42.55,0:05:47.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The aches in my body\Nwere like nothing I have felt
Dialogue: 0,0:05:47.18,0:05:47.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,before or since.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:47.66,0:05:50.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I would get these bouts\Nof fever and chill.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:50.12,0:05:53.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I would reel with nausea,\Nand it was difficult to walk.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.86,0:05:58.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Being a biology student,\NI had some prior exposure to disease,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:58.15,0:06:01.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and being a fairly informed gay man,\NI had read a bit on HIV,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.70,0:06:04.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so to me, it clicked\Nthat this was seroconversion,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.81,0:06:07.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or as it's sometimes called,\Nacute HIV infection,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:07.94,0:06:11.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and this is the body's reaction\Nin producing antibodies
Dialogue: 0,0:06:11.44,0:06:13.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the HIV antigen.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:13.09,0:06:16.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's important to know that not everybody\Ngoes through this phase of sickness,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:16.85,0:06:19.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I was one of the lucky ones who did,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:19.44,0:06:23.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I was lucky as in,\Nthere were these physical symptoms
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.07,0:06:25.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that let me know, hey, something is wrong,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:25.94,0:06:29.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it let me detect\Nthe virus pretty early.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:29.66,0:06:33.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So just to clarify,\Njust to hit the nail on head,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.55,0:06:36.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I got tested on campus,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:36.13,0:06:40.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they said they would call me\Nthe next morning with the results,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:40.05,0:06:41.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they called me,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:41.19,0:06:44.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they asked me to come in\Nand speak to the doctor on staff,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:44.65,0:06:47.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the reaction I received from her
Dialogue: 0,0:06:47.03,0:06:49.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,wasn't what I was expecting.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:49.95,0:06:51.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She reassured me what I already knew,\Nthat this wasn't a death sentence,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:51.96,0:06:57.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and she even offered to put me\Nin contact with her brother,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:57.23,0:06:59.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who had been living with HIV\Nsince the early '90s.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:59.80,0:07:03.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I declined her offer,\Nbut I was deeply touched.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:03.63,0:07:05.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was expecting to be reprimanded.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.72,0:07:08.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was expecting pity and disappointment,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:08.38,0:07:12.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I was shown compassion\Nand human warmth,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:12.26,0:07:16.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I'm forever grateful\Nfor that first exchange.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:16.41,0:07:20.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So obviously for a few weeks,\NI was a physical mess.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:20.82,0:07:23.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Emotionally, mentally, I was doing okay.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:23.24,0:07:25.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was taking it well.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:25.66,0:07:27.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But my body was ravaged,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.12,0:07:29.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and those close to me,\Nthey weren't oblivious.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:29.85,0:07:32.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I sat my roommates down
Dialogue: 0,0:07:32.23,0:07:35.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I let them know\NI'd been diagnosed with HIV,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:35.22,0:07:39.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I was about to receive treatment,\Nand I didn't want them to worry.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:39.31,0:07:42.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I remember the look on their faces.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:42.66,0:07:45.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They were holding each other\Non the couch and they were crying,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:45.43,0:07:47.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I consoled them.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:47.20,0:07:49.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I consoled them about my own bad news,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:49.88,0:07:54.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it was heartwarming\Nto see that they cared.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:54.18,0:07:57.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But from that night, I noticed a shift
Dialogue: 0,0:07:57.13,0:07:59.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the way that I was treated at home.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:59.59,0:08:01.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My roommates wouldn't\Ntouch anything of mine,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.87,0:08:04.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they wouldn't\Neat anything I had cooked.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:04.70,0:08:07.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, in South Louisiana,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:07.57,0:08:10.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we all know that you don't refuse food.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:10.10,0:08:10.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:08:10.96,0:08:13.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I'm a damn good cook,\Nso don't think that passed me by.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:13.75,0:08:16.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:08:16.35,0:08:20.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But from these first silent hints,\Ntheir aversion got gradually more obvious,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:20.49,0:08:22.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and more offensive.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:22.56,0:08:26.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was asked to move my toothbrush\Nfrom the bathroom,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:26.55,0:08:29.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was asked to not share towels,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:29.04,0:08:33.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I was even asked to wash\Nmy clothes on a hotter setting.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:33.16,0:08:35.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This wasn't head lice, y'all.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.89,0:08:37.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This wasn't scabies. This was HIV.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:37.37,0:08:39.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It can be transmitted through blood,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:39.62,0:08:42.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sexual fluids like semen\Nor vaginal fluids,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:42.42,0:08:43.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and breast milk.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.61,0:08:46.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Since I wasn't sleeping with my roommates,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:46.51,0:08:48.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wasn't breastfeeding them --
Dialogue: 0,0:08:48.66,0:08:49.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter) --
Dialogue: 0,0:08:49.64,0:08:52.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we weren't reenacting "Twilight,"
Dialogue: 0,0:08:52.13,0:08:54.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was of no risk to them,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:54.32,0:08:56.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I made this aware to them,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:56.87,0:09:00.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but still, this discomfort, it continued,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:00.79,0:09:02.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,until eventually I was asked to move out.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:02.18,0:09:03.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I was asked to move out
Dialogue: 0,0:09:03.85,0:09:04.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because one of my roommates
Dialogue: 0,0:09:04.96,0:09:07.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,had shared my status with her parents.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:07.30,0:09:13.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She shared my personal\Nmedical information to strangers.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:13.88,0:09:17.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And now I'm doing that\Nin a roomful of 300 of y'all,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:17.23,0:09:20.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but at the time, this was not\Nsomething I was comfortable with,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:20.43,0:09:24.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they expressed their discomfort\Nwith their daughter living with me.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:24.83,0:09:27.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So being gay, raised\Nin a religious household,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:27.97,0:09:30.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and living in the South,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:30.27,0:09:31.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,discrimination wasn't new to me,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:31.95,0:09:35.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but this form was,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:35.95,0:09:37.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it was tremendously disappointing
Dialogue: 0,0:09:37.75,0:09:39.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because it came\Nfrom such an unlikely source.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.99,0:09:43.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Not only were these\Ncollege-educated people,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:43.94,0:09:47.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not only were they other members\Nof the LGBT community,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.46,0:09:50.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they were also my friends.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:50.56,0:09:54.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I did. I moved out\Nat the end of the semester,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:54.13,0:09:56.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it wasn't to appease them.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:56.27,0:09:58.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was out of respect for myself.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:58.66,0:10:01.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wasn't going to subject myself\Nto people who were unwilling
Dialogue: 0,0:10:01.53,0:10:04.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to remedy their ignorance,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:04.32,0:10:07.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I wasn't going to let something\Nthat was now a part of me
Dialogue: 0,0:10:07.47,0:10:09.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,ever be used as a tool against me.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:09.98,0:10:12.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I opted for transparency\Nabout my status
Dialogue: 0,0:10:12.40,0:10:13.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,always being visible.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:13.75,0:10:19.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this is what I like to call\Nbeing the everyday advocate.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:19.37,0:10:21.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The point of this transparency,\Nthe point of this everyday advocacy,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:21.61,0:10:26.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was to dispel ignorance,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:26.02,0:10:28.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and ignorance is a very scary word.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:28.82,0:10:31.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We don't want to be seen as ignorant,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:31.57,0:10:33.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we definitely don't\Nwant to be called it.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:33.96,0:10:37.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But ignorance is not\Nsynonymous with stupid.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:37.08,0:10:39.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's not the inability to learn.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:39.25,0:10:42.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's the state you're in before you learn.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:42.55,0:10:45.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So when I saw someone\Ncoming from a place of ignorance,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:45.85,0:10:49.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I saw an opportunity for them to learn,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:49.03,0:10:52.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and hopefully, if I could\Nspread some education,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:52.61,0:10:54.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then I could mitigate\Nsituations for others
Dialogue: 0,0:10:54.68,0:10:56.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like I had experienced with my roommates
Dialogue: 0,0:10:56.63,0:11:00.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and save someone else\Ndown the line that humiliation.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:00.98,0:11:04.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So the reactions I received\Nhaven't been all positive.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:04.53,0:11:07.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here in the South,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:07.36,0:11:10.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we have a lot stigma\Ndue to religious pressures,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:10.74,0:11:13.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,our lack of a comprehensive sex education,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.65,0:11:17.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and our general conservative outlook\Non anything sexual.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:17.42,0:11:19.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We view this as a gay disease.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:19.100,0:11:24.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Globally, most new HIV infections\Noccur between heterosexual partners,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:24.43,0:11:27.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and here in the States, women,\Nespecially women of color,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:27.28,0:11:29.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are at an increased risk.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:29.22,0:11:31.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is not a gay disease.\NIt never has been.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:31.54,0:11:35.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's a disease we should\Nall be concerned with.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:35.75,0:11:39.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So initially, I felt limited.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:39.29,0:11:43.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wanted to expand my scope\Nand reach beyond what was around me.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:43.24,0:11:45.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So naturally,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:45.80,0:11:50.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I turned to the dark underworld\Nof online dating apps,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:50.25,0:11:52.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to apps like Grindr,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:52.43,0:11:54.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and for those of you who are unfamiliar,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:54.34,0:11:56.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,these are dating apps\Ntargeted towards gay men.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:56.52,0:12:01.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You can upload a profile and a picture
Dialogue: 0,0:12:01.32,0:12:02.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it will show you\Navailable guys within a radius.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:02.66,0:12:03.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Y'all have probably heard of Tinder.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:03.68,0:12:05.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Grindr has been around for a lot longer,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:05.45,0:12:08.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,since it was much harder\Nto meet your future gay husband
Dialogue: 0,0:12:08.66,0:12:10.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at church or the grocery store,\Nor whatever straight people did
Dialogue: 0,0:12:10.94,0:12:15.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,before they found out\Nthey could date on their phones.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:15.69,0:12:19.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So on Grindr, if you liked\Nwhat you saw or read,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:19.71,0:12:23.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you could send someone a message,\Nyou can meet up, you can do other things.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:23.24,0:12:29.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So on my profile, I obviously stated\Nthat I had HIV, I was undetectable,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:29.38,0:12:32.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I welcomed questions about my status.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:32.72,0:12:34.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I received a lot of questions,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:34.57,0:12:37.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and a lot of comments,\Nboth positive and negative.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:37.95,0:12:40.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I want to start with the negative,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:40.35,0:12:43.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just to frame some of this ignorance\Nthat I've mentioned before.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:43.69,0:12:49.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And most of these negative comments
Dialogue: 0,0:12:49.21,0:12:49.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,were passing remarks or assumptions.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:49.89,0:12:52.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They would assume things\Nabout my sex life or my sex habits.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:52.68,0:12:55.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They would assume I put myself\Nor others at risk.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.79,0:12:59.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But very often I would just be met\Nwith these passing ignorant remarks.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:59.87,0:13:03.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the gay community,\Nit's common to hear the word "clean"
Dialogue: 0,0:13:03.100,0:13:06.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when you're referring to someone\Nwho is HIV negative.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:06.81,0:13:10.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Of course the flipside to that\Nis being unclean, or dirty,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:10.87,0:13:12.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when you do have HIV.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:12.15,0:13:18.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I'm not sensitive\Nand I'm only truly dirty
Dialogue: 0,0:13:18.20,0:13:18.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,after a day in the field,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:18.70,0:13:19.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but this is damaging language.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:19.60,0:13:21.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is a community-driven stigma
Dialogue: 0,0:13:21.64,0:13:25.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that keeps many gay men\Nfrom disclosing their status,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:25.15,0:13:26.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it keeps those newly diagnosed
Dialogue: 0,0:13:26.95,0:13:29.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from seeking support\Nwithin their own community,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:29.24,0:13:31.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I find that truly distressing.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:31.75,0:13:35.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But thankfully, the positive responses\Nhave been a lot more numerous,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:35.84,0:13:38.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they came from guys who were curious.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:38.06,0:13:41.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And they were curious\Nabout the risks of transmission,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:41.38,0:13:43.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or what exactly "undetectable" meant,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:43.61,0:13:45.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or where they could get tested,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:45.44,0:13:48.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or some guys would ask me\Nabout my experiences,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:48.25,0:13:50.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I could share my story with them.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:50.10,0:13:52.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But most importantly,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:52.39,0:13:56.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I would get approached by guys\Nwho were newly diagnosed with HIV,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:56.59,0:13:59.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they were scared, and they were alone,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:59.02,0:14:02.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they didn't know\Nwhat step to take next.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:02.29,0:14:04.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They didn't want to tell their family,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:04.09,0:14:05.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they didn't want to tell their friends,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:05.28,0:14:09.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they felt damaged,\Nand they felt dirty.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:09.91,0:14:12.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I did whatever I could\Nto immediately calm them,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:12.83,0:14:15.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then I would put them in contact\Nwith AcadianaCares,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:15.90,0:14:18.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is a wonderful resource\Nwe have in our community
Dialogue: 0,0:14:18.96,0:14:20.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for those with HIV.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:20.98,0:14:23.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I'd put them in contact\Nwith people I knew personally
Dialogue: 0,0:14:23.81,0:14:28.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so that they could not only\Nhave this safe space to feel human again,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:28.18,0:14:30.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but so they could also have\Nthe resources they needed
Dialogue: 0,0:14:30.33,0:14:32.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in affording their treatment.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:32.50,0:14:36.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this was by far\Nthe most humbling aspect
Dialogue: 0,0:14:36.08,0:14:37.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of my transparency,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:37.73,0:14:43.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I could have some positive impact\Non those who were suffering like I did,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:43.30,0:14:45.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I could help those\Nwho were in the dark,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:45.72,0:14:49.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because I had been there\Nand it wasn't a good place to be.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:49.58,0:14:52.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These guys came from\Nall different backgrounds,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:52.02,0:14:54.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and many of them weren't\Nas informed as I had been,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:54.67,0:14:58.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they were coming to me\Nfrom a place of fear.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:58.17,0:15:00.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some of these people I knew personally,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:00.34,0:15:01.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or they knew of me,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:01.75,0:15:03.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but many more, they were anonymous.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:03.99,0:15:08.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They were these blank profiles\Nwho were too afraid to show their faces
Dialogue: 0,0:15:08.64,0:15:09.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,after what they had told me.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:09.87,0:15:12.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And on the topic of transparency,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:12.52,0:15:15.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I want to leave y'all with a few thoughts.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:15.38,0:15:18.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I found that with whatever risk\Nor gamble I took
Dialogue: 0,0:15:18.80,0:15:20.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in putting my face out there,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:20.65,0:15:22.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was well worth any negative comment,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:22.94,0:15:24.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,any flak I received,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:24.86,0:15:29.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because I felt I was able to make\Nthis real and this tangible impact.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:29.82,0:15:32.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it showed me that our efforts resound,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:32.86,0:15:36.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we can alter the lives\Nthat we encounter for the good,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:36.72,0:15:40.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they in turn can take that momentum\Nand push it even further.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:40.80,0:15:44.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if any of you or anyone you know\Nis dealing with HIV,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:44.64,0:15:47.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or if you want to see what resources\Nyou have in your community,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:47.43,0:15:50.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or just educate yourself\Nmore on the disease,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:50.96,0:15:54.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,here are some wonderful national sites\Nthat you can access,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:54.62,0:15:57.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you are more than welcome\Nto find me after this talk
Dialogue: 0,0:15:57.41,0:15:59.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and ask me anything you'd like.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:59.30,0:16:03.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We've all heard the phrase\N"to see the forest through the trees,"
Dialogue: 0,0:16:03.80,0:16:09.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so I implore all of you here to really\Nsee the human through the disease.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:09.45,0:16:13.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's a very easy thing\Nto see numbers and statistics
Dialogue: 0,0:16:13.39,0:16:16.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and only see the perceived dangers.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:16.74,0:16:22.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's a much harder thing to see\Nall the faces behind all those numbers.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:22.56,0:16:25.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So when you find yourself thinking\Nthose things, those words,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:25.76,0:16:28.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what you might have thought\Nlooking at David Kirby,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:28.90,0:16:35.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I ask you instead, think son,\Nor think brother,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:35.57,0:16:38.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,think friend,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:38.63,0:16:41.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and most importantly, think human.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:41.11,0:16:44.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,See education when faced with ignorance,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:44.27,0:16:45.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and always be mindful
Dialogue: 0,0:16:45.98,0:16:48.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and always be compassionate.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:48.81,0:16:50.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:50.65,0:16:52.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)