This is My Pride ❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤
My experience of coming out as gay, being diagnosed with HIV and what Pride means to me.
At the end of June, I ran a talk at work discussing my experience of coming out, being diagnosed with HIV and talking about what Pride means to me. I was asked to share this more publicly, and so here it is.
No matter what you're going through, you are loved and cared for, you are strong and you're never alone.
If you're struggling, please don't suffer in silence. Reach out to a friend, a family member or a charity or other organisation.
International Organisations:
🌍 The Trevor Project - https://www.thetrevorproject.org/trvr_support_center/international/
🌍 TrevorSpace - https://www.trevorspace.org/
In the UK:
🇬🇧 Stonewall - https://www.stonewall.org.uk/help-and-advice
🇬🇧 LGBT+ Switchboard - https://switchboard.lgbt/
🇬🇧 Terrence Higgins Trust - https://www.tht.org.uk/our-services/phone-and-post/tht-direct-helpline
🇬🇧 National AIDS Trust - https://www.nat.org.uk/
🤳 My DMs are always open.
Me and HIV
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Matt, HIV Positive, Undetectable, U=U. Let's talk about #hiv and #fightthestigma
It’s great being part of a community, and the HIV community in particular has been amazing to me.
A lot of people have reached out to me recently to share their own story, their own experiences of being diagnosed and living with HIV.
Today, I’m sharing someone else’s story with you. This is the story of “E”, who asked me to share his experience and to remain anonymous. These are his words.
20/03/2021
6:14pm, Saturday 20th March 2021. Kemptown, Brighton and Hove. , in fact every day with HIV starts and ends with being truly thankful for life. A life that I might not have without the amazing care I've received from my doctors and the one pill I take each day.
This week is National HIV Testing Week in the UK and I'm sharing the story of how I contracted HIV.
Getting tested is vital to slow and stop the spread of HIV.
We can stop HIV - It Starts With Me - https://www.startswithme.org.uk/
Order a free HIV postal test - www.freetesting.hiv
Find HIV testing services - NHS (www.nhs.uk) - https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-services/HIV-testing/LocationSearch/418
Instagram.com/meandhiv
30/01/2021
I used to be nervous about taking my meds in public. I used to hide away, make sure people weren't looking and try and do it in secret. But not anymore. Thanks to educating myself and talking to medical professionals, I no longer take my meds in secret and I don't hide the fact I'm HIV positive.
Who else likes a massage?! Studies are showing that massages can increase the T Cell count in people with living with HIV. Sign me up!
T Cells are part of your immune system which work to fight an infection.
31/12/2020
Well 2020 is done... finally! What a year its been for everyone. I, for one, am glad it's over and hoping for some positivity in 2021.
This time of year can be hard for so many people, especially this year. To all those who've spent Christmas alone, isolated or struggling with mental health, to those who may be spending New Years alone, this toast is to you!
May 2021 be prosperous and bring some much needed positivity to all our lives.
Happy New Year. Here's to a fresh start, here's to love and here's to you!
11/12/2020
I've spent the last few days in tears and tantrums, hammering away on my keyboard writing this and it's finally been published. Thank you to Love What Matters for giving me the opportunity to share my story.
‘The test was positive.’ My heart stopped. The world came crashing down around me. I thought my life was ending.’: Man diagnosed with HIV becomes advocate, ‘My world is brighter’ "All I could think was, ‘I’m going to die.’ How would I tell my parents and friends? I found myself sitting on the beach, staring into the ocean. I wanted to throw myself in and not come back. I wanted this pain to be gone.”
How do you take yours? 💊
This was my second try, I promise!
06/12/2020
Just one pill a day and my HIV is under control, undetectable and untransmittable. The virus can't be passed on and doesn't affect me.
I'm extremely grateful for the NHS, the treatment I receive from doctors and for Stribild.
06/12/2020
Great article from TheBody.com. Some good tips in here for getting through another winter of COVID-19.
Loneliness and isolation can be a huge cause of concern for everyone, no matter the gender, sexuality, HIV status or living situation. Look after yourselves this winter!
I'm always happy to chat to anyone, so feel free to reach out 💙
Here’s How We’re Going to Get Through This COVID Winter This is real talk from HIV community folks who’ve been struggling—and finding solutions. And it includes a longtime survivors’ virtual town hall on Dec. 8, so register now!
4 days, over 5500 views. Thank you for watching, liking and sharing my HIV story. Let's keep the conversation going and tell the world that
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