[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.88,0:00:04.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I want to start this talk\Nby showing y'all a photo,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:04.60,0:00:07.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's a photo many of you\Nhave probably seen before.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:08.20,0:00:10.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I want you all to take a moment
Dialogue: 0,0:00:10.84,0:00:12.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and look at this photo,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:12.56,0:00:16.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and really reflect on some\Nof the things that come to mind,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.04,0:00:18.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and what are some\Nof those things, those words.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.88,0:00:23.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I'm going to ask you all\Nto look at me.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:24.32,0:00:27.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What words come to mind\Nwhen you look at me?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:28.52,0:00:31.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What separates that man up there
Dialogue: 0,0:00:31.32,0:00:32.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from me?
Dialogue: 0,0:00:34.68,0:00:36.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The man in that photo is named David Kirby
Dialogue: 0,0:00:36.76,0:00:40.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it was taken in 1990\Nas he was dying from AIDS-related illness,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.28,0:00:42.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it was subsequently\Npublished in "Life Magazine."
Dialogue: 0,0:00:43.80,0:00:47.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The only real thing\Nseparating me from Kirby
Dialogue: 0,0:00:47.72,0:00:52.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is about 30 years of medical advancements\Nin the way that we treat HIV and AIDS.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:53.32,0:00:57.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what I want to ask next is this:
Dialogue: 0,0:00:58.28,0:01:00.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if we have made such exponential progress
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.88,0:01:02.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in combatting HIV,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.64,0:01:06.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,why haven't our perceptions\Nof those with the virus evolved alongside?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.88,0:01:12.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Why does HIV elicit this reaction from us\Nwhen it's so easily managed?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.60,0:01:17.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When did the stigmatization even occur
Dialogue: 0,0:01:17.20,0:01:19.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and why hasn't it subsided?
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.52,0:01:23.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And these are not\Neasy questions to answer.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:24.00,0:01:27.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They're the congealing\Nof so many different factors and ideas.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:27.76,0:01:30.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Powerful images, like this one of Kirby,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:30.04,0:01:33.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,these were the faces of the AIDS crisis\Nin the '80s and '90s,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:33.68,0:01:36.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and at the time the crisis\Nhad a very obvious impact
Dialogue: 0,0:01:36.84,0:01:38.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on an already stigmatized group of people,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:38.96,0:01:40.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that was gay men.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:40.96,0:01:45.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what the general straight public saw\Nwas this very awful thing
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.04,0:01:49.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,happening to a group of people who\Nwere already on the fringes of society.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:50.12,0:01:53.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The media at the time began\Nto use the two almost interchangeably --
Dialogue: 0,0:01:53.52,0:01:55.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,gay and AIDS --
Dialogue: 0,0:01:55.20,0:01:58.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and at the 1984\NRepublican National Convention,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:58.32,0:02:02.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,one of the speakers joked\Nthat gay stood for "got AIDS yet?"
Dialogue: 0,0:02:03.92,0:02:05.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that was the mindset at the time.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.56,0:02:08.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But as we started\Nto understand the virus more
Dialogue: 0,0:02:09.00,0:02:10.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and how it was transmitted,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:10.64,0:02:13.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we realized that that risk\Nhad increased its territory.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.32,0:02:19.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The highly profiled case\Nof Ryan White in 1985,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:19.08,0:02:21.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who was a 13-year-old hemophiliac
Dialogue: 0,0:02:21.04,0:02:24.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who had contracted HIV\Nfrom a contaminated blood treatment,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.96,0:02:29.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and this marked the most profound shift\Nin America's perception of HIV.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:30.28,0:02:34.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,No longer was it restricted\Nto these dark corners of society,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.12,0:02:36.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to queers and drug users,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:36.08,0:02:37.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but now it was affecting people
Dialogue: 0,0:02:37.60,0:02:40.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that society deemed\Nworthy of their empathy,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:40.84,0:02:42.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to children.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:42.16,0:02:47.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But that permeating fear\Nand that perception, it still lingers.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:47.56,0:02:50.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I want a show of hands\Nfor these next few questions.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:50.80,0:02:54.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How many of you in here\Nwere aware that with treatment,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:54.56,0:02:57.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,those with HIV not only\Nfend off AIDS completely,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:57.92,0:03:00.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they live full and normal lives?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.36,0:03:03.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Y'all are educated.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:03.60,0:03:04.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:03:04.80,0:03:07.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How many of you are aware\Nthat with treatment,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:07.12,0:03:10.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,those with HIV can reach\Nan undetectable status,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.84,0:03:13.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that makes them\Nvirtually uninfectious?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:15.24,0:03:16.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Much less.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:16.96,0:03:21.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How many of you were aware\Nof the pre- and postexposure treatments
Dialogue: 0,0:03:21.08,0:03:23.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that are available\Nthat reduce the risk of transmission
Dialogue: 0,0:03:23.72,0:03:25.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by over 90 percent?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:27.12,0:03:31.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,See, these are incredible advancements\Nthat we have made in fighting HIV,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:31.96,0:03:34.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,yet they have not managed\Nto dent the perception
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.64,0:03:37.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that most Americans have\Nof the virus and those living with it.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.92,0:03:44.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I don't want you to think\NI'm downplaying the danger of this virus,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:44.44,0:03:47.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I am not ignorant of\Nthe harrowing past of the AIDS epidemic.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.76,0:03:51.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I am trying to convey\Nthat there is hope for those infected
Dialogue: 0,0:03:51.60,0:03:54.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and HIV is not the death sentence\Nit was in the '80s.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:55.88,0:03:59.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And now you may ask, and I asked\Nthis question myself initially,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:59.60,0:04:01.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where are the stories?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:01.40,0:04:05.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Where are these people living with HIV?\NWhy haven't they been vocal?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:05.24,0:04:09.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How can I believe these successes,\Nor these statistics,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.40,0:04:11.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without seeing the successes?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:12.24,0:04:15.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this is actually\Na very easy question for me to answer.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:16.92,0:04:19.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Fear, stigma and shame:
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.00,0:04:23.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,these keep those living with HIV\Nin the closet, so to speak.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:24.32,0:04:28.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Our sexual histories are as personal\Nto us as our medical histories,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:28.12,0:04:29.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and when you overlap the two,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:29.56,0:04:32.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you can find yourself\Nin a very sensitive space.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:32.64,0:04:35.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The fear of how others\Nperceive us when we're honest
Dialogue: 0,0:04:35.32,0:04:38.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,keeps us from doing many things in life,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:38.12,0:04:40.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and this is the case\Nfor the HIV-positive population.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:41.48,0:04:47.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To face social scrutiny and ridicule\Nis the price that we pay for transparency,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.16,0:04:49.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and why become a martyr
Dialogue: 0,0:04:49.64,0:04:53.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when you can effectively pass\Nas someone without HIV?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.08,0:04:56.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After all, there are no\Nphysical indications you have the virus.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:56.76,0:04:58.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's no sign that you wear.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:00.32,0:05:02.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There is safety in assimilation
Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.68,0:05:04.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and there is safety in invisibility.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.52,0:05:09.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I'm here to throw back that veil\Nand share my story.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.00,0:05:15.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So in the fall of 2014,\NI was a sophomore in college
Dialogue: 0,0:05:15.04,0:05:18.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and like most college students,\NI was sexually active,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:18.72,0:05:23.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I generally took precautions\Nto minimize the risk that sex carries.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:23.16,0:05:26.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I say generally,\Nbecause I wasn't always safe.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:27.36,0:05:30.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It only takes a single misstep\Nbefore we're flat on the ground
Dialogue: 0,0:05:30.36,0:05:32.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and my misstep is pretty obvious.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.20,0:05:35.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I had unprotected sex\Nand I didn't think much of it.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.96,0:05:37.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Fast-forward about three weeks
Dialogue: 0,0:05:37.84,0:05:42.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it felt like I'd been trampled\Nby a herd of wildebeest.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:42.28,0:05:46.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The aches in my body were\Nlike nothing I have felt before or since.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:46.88,0:05:49.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I would get these bouts\Nof fever and chill.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:49.72,0:05:52.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I would reel with nausea\Nand it was difficult to walk.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.56,0:05:57.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Being a biology student,\NI had some prior exposure to disease
Dialogue: 0,0:05:57.64,0:06:01.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and being a fairly informed gay man,\NI had read a bit on HIV,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.08,0:06:04.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so to me, it clicked\Nthat this was seroconversion,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.56,0:06:07.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or as it's sometimes called,\Nacute HIV infection,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:07.60,0:06:09.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and this is the body's reaction
Dialogue: 0,0:06:09.12,0:06:12.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in producing antibodies\Nto the HIV antigen.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:12.76,0:06:16.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's important to know that not everybody\Ngoes through this phase of sickness,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:16.68,0:06:18.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I was one of the lucky ones who did,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:19.48,0:06:22.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I was lucky as in,\Nthere were these physical symptoms
Dialogue: 0,0:06:22.72,0:06:25.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that let me know, hey, something is wrong,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:25.64,0:06:28.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it let me detect\Nthe virus pretty early.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:29.40,0:06:33.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So just to clarify,\Njust to hit the nail on head,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.44,0:06:35.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I got tested on campus
Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.88,0:06:39.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they said they would call me\Nthe next morning with the results,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:39.72,0:06:41.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they called me,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:41.16,0:06:44.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they asked me to come in\Nand speak to the doctor on staff.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:44.44,0:06:48.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the reaction I received from her\Nwasn't what I was expecting.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:49.52,0:06:53.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She reassured me what I already knew,\Nthat this wasn't a death sentence,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:53.56,0:06:56.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and she even offered\Nto put me in contact with her brother,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:56.40,0:06:58.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who had been living with HIV\Nsince the early '90s.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:59.84,0:07:03.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I declined her offer,\Nbut I was deeply touched.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:03.36,0:07:05.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was expecting to be reprimanded.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.40,0:07:07.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was expecting pity and disappointment
Dialogue: 0,0:07:08.00,0:07:11.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I was shown compassion\Nand human warmth,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:11.80,0:07:14.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I'm forever grateful\Nfor that first exchange.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:15.96,0:07:20.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So obviously for a few weeks,\NI was a physical mess.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:20.44,0:07:22.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Emotionally, mentally, I was doing OK.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:22.68,0:07:24.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was taking it well.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:24.60,0:07:26.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But my body was ravaged
Dialogue: 0,0:07:26.56,0:07:29.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and those close to me,\Nthey weren't oblivious.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:29.40,0:07:31.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I sat my roommates down
Dialogue: 0,0:07:31.92,0:07:34.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I let them know\NI'd been diagnosed with HIV,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:34.84,0:07:38.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I was about to receive treatment\Nand I didn't want them to worry.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:39.00,0:07:41.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I remember the look on their faces.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:42.20,0:07:45.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They were holding each other\Non the couch and they were crying,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:45.20,0:07:46.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I consoled them.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:46.80,0:07:49.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I consoled them about my own bad news,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:49.56,0:07:52.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it was heartwarming\Nto see that they cared.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:53.92,0:07:56.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But from that night, I noticed a shift
Dialogue: 0,0:07:56.84,0:07:58.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the way that I was treated at home.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:59.28,0:08:01.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My roommates wouldn't\Ntouch anything of mine
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.40,0:08:03.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they wouldn't eat\Nanything I had cooked.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:04.48,0:08:07.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, in South Louisiana,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:07.20,0:08:09.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we all know that you don't refuse food.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:09.44,0:08:10.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:08:10.52,0:08:13.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I'm a damn good cook,\Nso don't think that passed me by.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:13.64,0:08:16.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:08:16.08,0:08:20.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But from these first silent hints,\Ntheir aversion got gradually more obvious
Dialogue: 0,0:08:20.24,0:08:21.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and more offensive.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:22.20,0:08:26.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was asked to move my toothbrush\Nfrom the bathroom,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:26.24,0:08:28.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was asked to not share towels
Dialogue: 0,0:08:28.64,0:08:31.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I was even asked\Nto wash my clothes on a hotter setting.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:32.88,0:08:34.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This wasn't head lice, y'all.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:34.32,0:08:36.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This wasn't scabies. This was HIV.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:36.80,0:08:39.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It can be transmitted through blood,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:39.20,0:08:41.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sexual fluids like semen or vaginal fluids
Dialogue: 0,0:08:42.00,0:08:43.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and breast milk.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:43.32,0:08:46.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Since I wasn't sleeping with my roommates,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:46.20,0:08:48.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wasn't breastfeeding them --
Dialogue: 0,0:08:48.04,0:08:49.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:08:49.28,0:08:51.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we weren't reenacting "Twilight,"
Dialogue: 0,0:08:51.40,0:08:53.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was of no risk to them
Dialogue: 0,0:08:53.68,0:08:56.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I made this aware to them,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:56.16,0:08:58.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but still, this discomfort, it continued,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:58.96,0:09:01.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,until eventually I was asked to move out.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:01.88,0:09:03.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I was asked to move out
Dialogue: 0,0:09:03.24,0:09:06.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because one of my roommates\Nhad shared my status with her parents.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:06.88,0:09:12.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She shared my personal\Nmedical information to strangers.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:13.32,0:09:16.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And now I'm doing that\Nin a roomful of 300 of y'all,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:16.60,0:09:20.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but at the time, this was not\Nsomething I was comfortable with,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:20.08,0:09:23.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they expressed their discomfort\Nwith their daughter living with me.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.28,0:09:27.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So being gay, raised\Nin a religious household
Dialogue: 0,0:09:27.76,0:09:29.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and living in the South,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:29.16,0:09:30.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,discrimination wasn't new to me,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:31.92,0:09:34.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but this form was
Dialogue: 0,0:09:34.20,0:09:36.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it was tremendously disappointing
Dialogue: 0,0:09:36.04,0:09:39.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because it came\Nfrom such an unlikely source.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:40.16,0:09:43.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Not only were these\Ncollege-educated people,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:43.60,0:09:47.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not only were they other members\Nof the LGBT community,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.40,0:09:49.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but they were also my friends.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:50.36,0:09:53.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I did. I moved out\Nat the end of the semester,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:53.88,0:09:55.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it wasn't to appease them.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:55.80,0:09:57.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was out of respect for myself.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:58.28,0:10:00.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wasn't going to subject myself to people
Dialogue: 0,0:10:00.76,0:10:03.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who were unwilling\Nto remedy their ignorance
Dialogue: 0,0:10:03.96,0:10:06.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I wasn't going to let something\Nthat was now a part of me
Dialogue: 0,0:10:06.88,0:10:08.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,ever be used as a tool against me.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:09.40,0:10:12.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I opted for transparency\Nabout my status,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:13.00,0:10:14.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,always being visible.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:15.88,0:10:18.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this is what I like to call\Nbeing the everyday advocate.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:19.00,0:10:23.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The point of this transparency,\Nthe point of this everyday advocacy,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:23.32,0:10:25.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was to dispel ignorance,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:25.44,0:10:28.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and ignorance is a very scary word.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:28.44,0:10:30.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We don't want to be seen as ignorant
Dialogue: 0,0:10:30.92,0:10:33.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we definitely\Ndon't want to be called it.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:33.52,0:10:36.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But ignorance is not\Nsynonymous with stupid.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:36.56,0:10:38.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's not the inability to learn.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:38.96,0:10:42.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's the state you're in before you learn.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:42.12,0:10:45.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So when I saw someone\Ncoming from a place of ignorance,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:45.48,0:10:48.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I saw an opportunity for them to learn
Dialogue: 0,0:10:48.72,0:10:51.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and hopefully, if I could\Nspread some education,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:51.88,0:10:54.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,then I could mitigate\Nsituations for others
Dialogue: 0,0:10:54.12,0:10:56.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like I had experienced with my roommates
Dialogue: 0,0:10:56.20,0:10:59.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and save someone else\Ndown the line that humiliation.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:00.68,0:11:03.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So the reactions I received\Nhaven't been all positive.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:05.04,0:11:07.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Here in the South,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:07.04,0:11:10.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we have a lot stigma\Ndue to religious pressures,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:10.44,0:11:13.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,our lack of a comprehensive sex education
Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.36,0:11:16.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and our general conservative outlook\Non anything sexual.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:16.96,0:11:18.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We view this as a gay disease.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:19.60,0:11:24.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Globally, most new HIV infections\Noccur between heterosexual partners
Dialogue: 0,0:11:24.04,0:11:26.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and here in the States,\Nwomen, especially women of color,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:26.92,0:11:28.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are at an increased risk.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:28.76,0:11:31.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is not a gay disease.\NIt never has been.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:31.92,0:11:34.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's a disease we should\Nall be concerned with.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:35.20,0:11:38.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So initially, I felt limited.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:38.60,0:11:42.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wanted to expand my scope\Nand reach beyond what was around me.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:43.68,0:11:46.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So naturally,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:46.08,0:11:49.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I turned to the dark underworld\Nof online dating apps,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:49.92,0:11:52.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to apps like Grindr,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:52.12,0:11:54.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and for those of you who are unfamiliar,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:54.08,0:11:56.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,these are dating apps\Ntargeted towards gay men.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:56.40,0:11:58.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You can upload a profile and a picture
Dialogue: 0,0:11:58.28,0:12:00.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it will show you\Navailable guys within a radius.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:01.00,0:12:03.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Y'all have probably heard of Tinder.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:03.32,0:12:05.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Grindr has been around for a lot longer,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:05.28,0:12:08.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,since it was much harder\Nto meet your future gay husband
Dialogue: 0,0:12:08.40,0:12:10.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at church or the grocery store,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:10.56,0:12:12.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or whatever straight people did
Dialogue: 0,0:12:12.44,0:12:15.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,before they found out\Nthey could date on their phones.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:15.04,0:12:16.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:12:16.20,0:12:19.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So on Grindr, if you liked\Nwhat you saw or read,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:19.32,0:12:23.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you could send someone a message,\Nyou can meet up, you can do other things.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:23.40,0:12:27.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So on my profile,\NI obviously stated that I had HIV,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:27.80,0:12:32.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was undetectable and I welcomed\Nquestions about my status.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:32.12,0:12:34.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I received a lot of questions
Dialogue: 0,0:12:34.16,0:12:36.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and a lot of comments,\Nboth positive and negative.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:37.40,0:12:40.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I want to start with the negative,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:40.04,0:12:43.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just to frame some of this ignorance\Nthat I've mentioned before.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:44.00,0:12:48.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And most of these negative comments\Nwere passing remarks or assumptions.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:48.56,0:12:52.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They would assume things\Nabout my sex life or my sex habits.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:52.12,0:12:54.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They would assume\NI put myself or others at risk.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.24,0:12:59.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But very often I would just be met\Nwith these passing ignorant remarks.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:59.76,0:13:03.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the gay community,\Nit's common to hear the word "clean"
Dialogue: 0,0:13:03.72,0:13:06.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when you're referring to someone\Nwho is HIV negative.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:06.56,0:13:10.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Of course the flip side to that\Nis being unclean, or dirty,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:10.16,0:13:11.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when you do have HIV.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:11.84,0:13:13.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I'm not sensitive
Dialogue: 0,0:13:13.32,0:13:16.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I'm only truly dirty\Nafter a day in the field,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:17.12,0:13:19.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but this is damaging language.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:19.08,0:13:21.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is a community-driven stigma
Dialogue: 0,0:13:21.52,0:13:24.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that keeps many gay men\Nfrom disclosing their status
Dialogue: 0,0:13:24.80,0:13:26.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it keeps those newly diagnosed
Dialogue: 0,0:13:26.48,0:13:28.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from seeking support\Nwithin their own community,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:28.80,0:13:30.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I find that truly distressing.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:31.40,0:13:35.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But thankfully, the positive responses\Nhave been a lot more numerous
Dialogue: 0,0:13:35.44,0:13:37.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they came from guys who were curious.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:37.60,0:13:40.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And they were curious\Nabout the risks of transmission,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:40.64,0:13:43.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or what exactly "undetectable" meant,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:43.28,0:13:45.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or where they could get tested,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:45.04,0:13:47.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or some guys would ask me\Nabout my experiences
Dialogue: 0,0:13:47.28,0:13:49.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I could share my story with them.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:49.80,0:13:52.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But most importantly,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:52.16,0:13:56.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I would get approached by guys\Nwho were newly diagnosed with HIV
Dialogue: 0,0:13:56.40,0:13:58.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they were scared, and they were alone,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:58.64,0:14:01.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they didn't know\Nwhat step to take next.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:01.76,0:14:03.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They didn't want to tell their family,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:03.64,0:14:05.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they didn't want to tell their friends
Dialogue: 0,0:14:05.52,0:14:08.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they felt damaged,\Nand they felt dirty.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:09.24,0:14:12.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I did whatever I could\Nto immediately calm them,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:12.60,0:14:15.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then I would put them in contact\Nwith AcadianaCares,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:15.44,0:14:18.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is a wonderful resource\Nwe have in our community
Dialogue: 0,0:14:18.68,0:14:20.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for those with HIV.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:20.48,0:14:23.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I'd put them in contact\Nwith people I knew personally
Dialogue: 0,0:14:23.40,0:14:27.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so that they could not only\Nhave this safe space to feel human again,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:27.88,0:14:30.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but so they could also have\Nthe resources they needed
Dialogue: 0,0:14:30.40,0:14:32.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in affording their treatment.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:32.08,0:14:35.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And this was by far\Nthe most humbling aspect
Dialogue: 0,0:14:35.44,0:14:37.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of my transparency,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:37.44,0:14:42.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I could have some positive impact\Non those who were suffering like I did,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:42.88,0:14:45.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that I could help those\Nwho were in the dark,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:45.48,0:14:48.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because I had been there\Nand it wasn't a good place to be.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:49.24,0:14:51.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These guys came from\Nall different backgrounds
Dialogue: 0,0:14:51.60,0:14:54.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and many of them\Nweren't as informed as I had been,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:54.32,0:14:56.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they were coming to me\Nfrom a place of fear.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:57.80,0:14:59.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some of these people I knew personally,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:59.72,0:15:01.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or they knew of me,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:01.28,0:15:03.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but many more, they were anonymous.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:03.64,0:15:07.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They were these blank profiles\Nwho were too afraid to show their faces
Dialogue: 0,0:15:07.24,0:15:08.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,after what they had told me.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:09.20,0:15:12.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And on the topic of transparency,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:12.20,0:15:14.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I want to leave y'all with a few thoughts.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:14.96,0:15:18.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I found that with whatever risk\Nor gamble I took
Dialogue: 0,0:15:18.24,0:15:20.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in putting my face out there,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:20.24,0:15:22.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it was well worth any negative comment,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:22.48,0:15:23.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,any flak I received,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:24.52,0:15:28.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because I felt I was able to make\Nthis real and this tangible impact.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:29.40,0:15:32.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it showed me that our efforts resound,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:32.56,0:15:36.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we can alter the lives\Nthat we encounter for the good,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:36.36,0:15:39.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they in turn can take that momentum\Nand push it even further.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:40.48,0:15:44.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if any of you or anyone you know\Nis dealing with HIV,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:44.28,0:15:47.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or if you want to see what resources\Nyou have in your community,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:47.36,0:15:49.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or just educate yourself\Nmore on the disease,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:50.88,0:15:53.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,here are some wonderful national sites\Nthat you can access
Dialogue: 0,0:15:53.92,0:15:56.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you are more than welcome\Nto find me after this talk
Dialogue: 0,0:15:56.60,0:15:58.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and ask me anything you'd like.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:59.00,0:16:03.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We've all heard the phrase\N"to see the forest through the trees,"
Dialogue: 0,0:16:03.84,0:16:08.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so I implore all of you here to really\Nsee the human through the disease.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:09.08,0:16:13.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's a very easy thing\Nto see numbers and statistics
Dialogue: 0,0:16:13.08,0:16:15.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and only see the perceived dangers.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:16.36,0:16:21.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's a much harder thing to see\Nall the faces behind those numbers.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:22.40,0:16:25.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So when you find yourself\Nthinking those things, those words,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:25.44,0:16:27.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what you might have thought\Nlooking at David Kirby,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:28.92,0:16:31.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I ask you instead,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:31.32,0:16:32.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,think son,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:33.32,0:16:34.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or think brother,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:35.44,0:16:36.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,think friend
Dialogue: 0,0:16:37.36,0:16:39.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and most importantly, think human.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:40.72,0:16:43.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Seek education when faced with ignorance
Dialogue: 0,0:16:43.84,0:16:45.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and always be mindful,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:45.76,0:16:48.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and always be compassionate.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:48.56,0:16:49.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:49.80,0:16:53.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)