POZ I AM Radio

Charles Sanchez is an openly gay, HIV+ writer, performer, director and activist living in New York City. He is one of the co-founders of Skipping Boyz Productions, and conceived, writes and stars in the award-winning HIV musical comedy web series, Merce (MerceTheSeries.com).  His acting career has taken him from Lincoln Center and Off-Broadway, to the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and Murry’s Dinner Playhouse in Little Rock, AR. Since being diagnosed with full blown AIDS in 2003, he has added activist to his resume.  Sanchez is a Contributing Editor for TheBody.com and has had essays published on PositivelyAware.com, Them.us and HuffPost Queer Voices.  He was included in Healthline.com's list of HIV Honors: The Most Influential Voices of 2017, and was honored in POZ Magazine's 2018 POZ 100, celebrating people over 50 making a difference in the fight against HIV and the stigma surrounding it. 

Robert & Brady are thrilled to be speaking with Jason Alvin about his diagnosis and his daily FB LIVE show which captures him taking his HIV medication. About Jason: My name is Jason Alvin, and since my diagnosis with HIV in 2015, I have become a vocal advocate spreading the good news about recent HIV developments such as #PrEP and #UequalsU to friends family and strangers through facebook.  I have been taking my HIV medication live on facebook every day for over 2 years.  The community that has grown  around the show has been a tremendous source of support through what for me has been a really difficult diagnosis.  I am a registered nurse and worked on an inpatient psychiatric unit for 12 years.  I am a mental health professional, but I am also a patient.  I am married and have 2 sons that are 8 and 7 years old. Watch Jason is a Social Scientist 

Join Robert Breining , Brady Dale Morris and Josh Robbins as they recap the guests and the HIVScoops of 2018. http://tobtr.com/s/11116771

Positively Fearless is a campaign brought to you by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson – that’s s redefining what it means to live with HIV and showing those living with HIV what is possible when you live “Positively Fearless”. Join me and the other Positively Fearless ambassadors as we reflect on the resilience, strength and fearlessness of the HIV community. Join the community on Instagram @PositivelyFearless and visit PositivelyFearless.com to learn more about how you can live Positively Fearless.  

HENRY GOLDRING is a product of the Midwest/Orrville, Ohio, and has lived for 25 years between New York City and Los Angeles. He studied piano & music at The College of Wooster in Ohio and The School of Music at Indiana University in Bloomington, and theatre at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pasadena, California and with actress Ellen Burstyn in Los Angeles. He has appeared in theatre, on Norman Lear TV sitcoms with Bea Arthur and Bonnie Franklin and sung in night-clubs on both coasts. Henry has opened for comedienne Joan Rivers and his accompanist in New York was Arsenio Hall’s Band Leader, Jazz Pianist Michael Wolf. Although MR. GOLDRING shies away from labels, he is most proud of his personal journey as an HIV+ person navigating prejudice and misconceptions through writing (two theatrical productions and a memoir) and sharing his story on College Campuses, Podcasts/Radio and Book Fairs. Henry recently returned from West Chester University in Pennsylvania on a panel examining “LGBTQ Jews In the US and the UK” alongside British trans activist Shaan Surat Knan.

Join Robert & Brady live Sunday Dec 2nd at 2pm EST when they sit down with the Zee Strong. Zee runs 3 HIV\AIDS related Facebook groups but you may recognize the name Zee Strong from the countless frames he has created across social medi. these frames were created  in hopes of destroying the stigma associated with the disease and have been used by 1000's. Call the show (929) 477-3572 with your questions, comments. 

During this live broadcast the Robert and Brady will be taking your calls about a range of hot topics related to living with HIV. Some topics that will be dicussed are depression,stigma,disclosure, finding a doctor etc.. Call the hosts live at  (929) 477-3572 with your questions or comments. 

Janine Brignola, the chick once known as HIVchick on YouTube returns to POZ I AM Radio. For the last 12 years since finding out I was HIV positive I have ran the spectrum from behind the scenes to big mouth, loud activist to putting on that blazer and sitting quietly and politely while fitting more into my societal standard gender role and what’s socially acceptable. I have graduated from a private college, secured a pretty cool big opportunity career then left the corporate man gig, got sober from alcohol (even with some relapses), lost over 120+ lbs, raised a pretty cool kid, and finally realized that my biggest success in life had been realizing that happiness is what we all want and happiness comes when you realize that success is living your life according to your standards and what is right for you; not the man, not society, not anyone else. My hope to accomplish with activism is awareness and prevention. Enlightenment and understanding. For myself and others. I want to show people that HIV doesn’t define a person and they can still do anything they want; as I have and am. That we can choose our path and not sometimes but every time. No matter the obstacles, no matter the setbacks and no matter others negative and ignorant opinions on it. So yeah, this is my bio and I wrote it, in first person, and this my friends is what HIV looks like and what it looks like to have HIV and rock the hell out of it. So take whatever “bad” you’re given and create the life you want! I did and I have barely gotten started.

Billy Eugene Willis III is a activist based out of Central North Carolina. He has been living with HIV for 5 years, and advocating for HIV rights for the past 4. Billy was on the task force of people living with HIV and HIV professionals that helped modernize The NC Health Department’s HIV Control Measure. He has had many roles in his advocacy career, but his favorite is being a Youth Ambassador at Youth Across Borders (YAB). He visited Honduras this year with YAB to connect with youth PLWHIV. This activist’s next big projects are aimed at using art and entertainment to help fight against HIV stigma in his state.

Katie Willingham is a woman of transgender experience in rural north Alabama, diagnosed in June of 2000 but didn’t step into advocacy until January 2017, she now serves as Chair of Prevention for Thrive Alabama’s Community Advisory Board, sits on the HIV Prevention and Care Planning Group of the Alabama Department of Public Health, Policy Fellow and Alabama State Lead with the Positive Women’s Network, blogger for The Well Project’s A Girl Like Me blogging forum, and proud U=U minion. She also runs 3 Facebook groups: Alabama Poz Life, Alabama Transgender Coalition and PWN Alabama members and allies.

"Award-winning writer and activist Mark S. King is the force behind the blog My Fabulous Disease. He has been speaking out on behalf of people living with HIV since testing HIV positive in 1985. His blog has been nominated for a GLAAD Media Award three times and won the Nat'l Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association award twice. He was named "One of 13 Legendary AIDS Activists" by HIV Equal, and he tries not to let any of this make him feel old."

Davina Conner (Dee) was diagnosed with HIV 21 years ago. She’s an advocate, radio host,speaker,   a   founding   steering   committee   member   of   Prevention   access   campaign(UequalsU), Co-Chair of PWN Colorado and a member of the Denver HIV Planning Council,  Dee   obtained   her   Associates   Degree  in Public Health in  2018  and  is   now working towards her Bachelor’s Degree. She started a non-profit organization called PozHaven Foundation that started out as grassroots advocacy Dee mentors those newly diagnosed and individuals who are struggling mentally by way of telephone or in-home mentoring. She’s one of 4 advocates that is in the first UequalsU campaign in the United States called Positive Series. Davina started advocating because of the stigma that many go through being diagnosed with HIV and is determined to work hard for women of color, trans women and all women with HIV. Davina’s podcast Pozitively Dee Discussion has been running for 4 years and Dee uses her show as a platform to educate individuals who are HIV positive and HIV negative. Dee feels that reaching everyone on all levels in all   states   will   show  others  that   HIV  is  not  a  death  sentence   at   all   and   is   very manageable. Standing for the rights of everyone no matter how they choose to live. We have one life to live and Dee wants people to know that they can live their best life regardless of what they feel has hindered them. Dee works to inspire, encourage and motivate others to live their best life and says once you change your way of thinking it gives you a different perspective in life and God then leads you in the way you should go.

My name is Sanjay Johnson and I currently live in Little Rock, Arkansas. I am a 25-year-old Black Gay man that works two jobs, seeks to use my creative outlets in the arts, and contribute to my community as I can. Unfortunately, in August 2017, my life was interrupted by the biggest challenge and ongoing nightmare that I couldn’t have imagined nor would wish upon anyone else. As a single young man, I chose to explore the world of meeting other like-minded individuals in an online format which resulted in myself meeting an individual for a consensual encounter. One day I was confronted at my front door by police with a complaint citing myself as “knowing and willfully exposing another to HIV.” I was immediately arrested and spent over a week in jail hoping that someone cared enough and would come to my rescue. Ultimately I must now prepare for a trial where an Arkansas jury will decide my fate based on their understanding or lack of knowledge about HIV or how far we’ve advanced in this health dilemma.  Please consider donating to Snajays Defense Fund     

Robert and Brady will be recapping their experience at Positive Living 21. If you attended the conference this year in Fort Walton Beach Florida and would like to share your experience call the show live and speak to the hosts,

Join us live for a special live show at 12pm EST.  Brady will be joining Robert live from USCA in Orlando Florida to talk about his expereince there as a panelist and attendee.

Robert and Brady will be joined by Butch Mckay of   Okaloosa AIDS Support & Informational Service (OASIS) will be joining. Butch and the Positive Living Conference will be celebrating 21 years in Ft. Walton Beach Florida - Sept. 14th-16th. Learn more at www.oasisflorida.org 

During this live broadcast Robert & Brady will be taking your calls and questions during our Hot Topic LIVE broadcast. Call the show at (929) 477-3572 

Bruce Richman returns to the show to give Robert an update on the U=U campaign and  to share about his time at the International AIDS confrence in Amsterdam. Bruce is the Founding Executive Director of PAC and the "Undetectable = Untransmittable  (U=U)"campaign (#UequalsU). Bruce was honored for his work with U=U as Healthline's HIV influencers"2017 Person of the Year"and named Plus Magazine "#1 Most Amazing HIV + People of 2018", and he received the 2017 Partnership Award from the National Association of State and Territorial AIDS Directors. Diagnosed with HIV in 2003, Bruce learned in 2012 that his undetectable viral load meant he could not transmit HIV. He committed to sharing this life-changing information in the hope that people with HIV and their partners will live healthy sexual and reproductive lives free of fear and stigma.

Jesus Guillen, is an immigrant, Latino, Gay, Single, 32 years HIV Long Term Survivor, who at the end, even if it sounds corny, is simply a human being who wants to help others, Jesus is one of the founders of one of the older GAY LATINO groups in SF: "AGUILAS"; he is also the founder and administrator of the incredibly diverse HIV LONG TERM SURVIVORS group in social media, with close to 5000 members. At the local level, he is the co-chair of the HIV and AGING workgroup in SF; member of the LTCCC- Long Term Care Coordinating Council- in SF as well. Jesus Guillen is honored to be the "poster boy" for the Emmy awarded documentary "LAST MEN STANDING", first and only documentary from the San Francisco Chronicle. Jesus is an independent HIV and Aging consultant who works with agencies, organizations, politicians, pharmaceuticals and anyone who wants to work in the common goal of helping our community, because he believes deeply in "WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER". Please watch the documentary "LAST MEN STANDING" following this link for free streaming : AIDS survivors live out lives they never expected to have  

Recently named on the 2017 Healthline HIV Influence Honors List for "Best Advocate for Female HIV Health", Kamaria Laffrey continues to serve as an international HIV advocate, speaker and consultant working on HIV decriminalization, treatment adherence, as well as women and girl's empowerment of health. Since her diagnosis in 2003, Kamaria has worked to empower others at risk for HIV and living with the virus to live beyond the societal and self-induced stigma of HIV through sharing her personal journey. Since 2007, she has used news and print media, social networks, conferences, blogs, and various campaigns as a platform to examine and speak on issues she identifies as hindering empowerment such as self-esteem, abandonment, distrust and other barriers. Her personal goal is to work through her developing community based organization, emPOWERed Legacies and provide tools that will help her community towards embracing healing, giving inspiration and living victorious with HIV. Through her public speaking, one on one peer counseling, workshop development, social media outreach, and program consulting, Kamaria emphasizes empowerment, sexual responsibility, and development of spiritual principles for individuals all over the world. 

Brotherhood Retreat is a 3-day retreat is an international gathering of gay and bisexual men who seek to enrich their lives through deeper insights, awareness and connections to both the community and oneself. We will be learning about physiological, psychological and spiritual tools to help create healthier and more fulfilling lives while forging bonds and friendships with other men from different parts of the world. The program will include informational and instructional sessions as well as exercises and participation by all the attendees with attention given to the full body-mind-spirit connection. We will also have plenty of time for social activities and relaxation. There are a variety of different techniques used at the retreat including meditation, transformational breath work, healing touch and much, much more. The retreat was originally created to help support those who are living with HIV, but over the years it has evolved to a spiritual retreat that is open to all men who are attracted to other men. As modern medicine is making serious advances, the gay community is finally beginning to heal the split between HIV-positive and negative men. We are thrilled be a part of that healing in whatever way we can support it. We all need each other to be strong, healthy and happy. Learn more

Join Robert as he returns live with Larry Frampton, Brady Dale Morris and Mark Grantham. These 3Tennessee HIV activists are on a road trip together driving to the HIV Is Not a Crime National Training Academy. They will be sharing their thoughts on HIV criminalization and what thay are hoping to get out attending the #HINAC3 Traning Academy. 

Shane, 33, from Mountain View, Missouri was diagnosed with HIV when he was 26 years old.  Shane grew up in a physically, and emotionally abusive household that was not accepting of his sexuality when he came out as gay at the age of 18. He was the first openly gay person in Mountain View where being gay was not a social norm. When Shane first found out he was positive, He thought his life was over, but little did he know, Shane was given a reason to live. Just this past week Shane accepted a position at the World AIDS Museum & Educational Center. In this role He’ll be going into schools throughout Broward County in South Florida educating students about HIV, and dispelling the many stigmas often associated with it.

Donning his running shoes, Jamil Eric Wilkins triumphantly races for his life against HIV. Athleticism has become the hallmark by which he thrives over his condition and the stigma associated with living with HIV. ? He often thinks back to his  first week on the track team when his knees gave out and he chose to continue his pursuit anyway. That same strength presented itself years later when he was on the cusp of advancing from HIV to AIDS. "My emotions had more calluses than my feet, but I refused to give up on myself, as I didn’t in the beginning," he said. Along with running being an outlet to earn his right to live, Jamil feels that his running mastery gives him the authority over his condition to make it happen. "We run races counterclockwise on a track, which meant that each time I placed one foot in front of the other I felt I was turning back the clock just enough to reclaim the power over my life," Jamil says. Jamil feels that the moment we are presented with a life-changer and we make the choice to rise above it, we are setting the tone for what’s to come. His athleticism led him to the Braking AIDS Ride and the Positive Pedalers, whose mission is to eliminate the stigma behind HIV by being a positive public example. After 14 years of running, Jamil gets to take on new, hopeful challenges and show others what living with HIV can look like.

Kevin Maloney, the founder of Rise Up To HIV will return live with Robert this Sunday. Call the show live with your comments and questions (929) 477-3572 The “No Shame About Being HIV+"” campaign was inspired by an image of Chelsea Clinton holding a sign for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. My vision for this campaign is to mobilize people across the United States and the world who are willing to stand up in an effort to reduce HIV stigma. Participants are empowered by the act of pairing a simple statement with their personal story and photo. There is no greater feeling or power than being able to stand up to your fears, not being held hostage by your diagnosis, being amongst people who understand and being knowledgeable or gaining greater understanding of something you may have thought you had no control over but actually do. Rise up to HIV and help end the stigma! Be part of #TeamNoShame. ?

Known for his deeply Southern accent, Brady Dale Morris is a national HIV advocate and public speaker living in Nashville, Tennessee.  After receiving an AIDS diagnosis in July 2009, Brady began a downward spiral into drugs, alcohol, and depression that led him down a path that ended in several suicide attempts. While recovering from his last attempt, an acquaintance approached him and told Brady he too had recently been diagnosed and needed help in what steps he should take next. That was Brady’s “light bulb” moment and from that day he has dedicated himself to helping those newly diagnosed with HIV and combating the stigma directly felt by others living with HIV.  As an independent advocate, he uses his online reach to promote factual and accurate health information about UequalsU and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP.)  Additionally, Brady works in several large capacities with big organizations including: Tennessee AIDS Advocacy Network (TAAN,) Tennessee Association of People With AIDS (TAPWA,) Community HIV AIDS Partnership (C.H.A.P.,), is a founding member of the National Steering Committee for Prevention Access Campaign’s #UequalsU message, and has served as the Co-Chairman of the Nashville Regional HIV Planning Council for the past two years.

I'm a 47 year old single mother of 3 kids (17, 14 and 10). I've been working as a substitute teacher for 10 years and take jobs for any subject and any grade (kinder through senior year). In the last 18 months, I have been taking many jobs with the special needs kids and find these to be my most rewarding of days. In my free time, I'm an avid skater (skateboarding), surfer and now HIV Advocate/Activist. On 2/15/16, I was diagnosed with HIV, about a week later, I was told I had AIDS. My life changed in a split second. I decided to share my diagnosis with my Facebook family as many knew I had been very sick. It was met with immense support. During the next 5 months, I struggled with not knowing one other soul with HIV. The support I received from my Facebook announcement along with this need to connect with another woman like myself, gave me the courage to make my first YouTube video in August of 2016. I told my story to let people know that HIV could reach anyone, that you could lead a normal life with the virus today and I hoped to find some connections along the way. Boy did I! My video went viral (lol, that has always been a funny joke). Within months, I had almost 1000 subscribers, tons of new connections and a new voice I never imagined in the world of HIV. Today, I run a private page through Facebook for HIV+ women. I started it a year ago with roughly 15 women and we are 94 strong today. I blog for The Well Project's, A Girl Like Me website. I attended USCA in September of 2017 and began my U=U activism

Stephen Bloodworth is the founder and president of Team Friendly Tennessee, a nonprofit organization serving Tennessee since 2013, an extension of the Mr. Friendly campaign. Locally, Stephen’s HIV education and advocacy work led him to serve at the request of the mayor as board member of the Nashville Regional HIV Planning Council. He also lobbied state legislators during HIV Day on the Hill. Nationally, Stephen attended AIDS Watch in Washington, D.C., where he met with members of Congress to educate them about the important issues facing people living with HIV/AIDS. Stephen lives north of Nashville, Tennessee, where he enjoys spending time with his dog, Russell.  

Michael Hager was diagnosed with HIV in November 2002 when he was just 22 years old. Already grappling with Crohn's Disease at the time, Michael was completely unprepared to handle HIV and finish his coursework and forge ahead to medical school. He decided to lean into HIV and started working for the Boston Public Health Commission AIDS Program to learn more about his circumstances and others in similar situations. He was there for five years in multiple capacities from managing Ryan White Part A primary care, mental health, and transportation contracts to helping to manage the Boston HIV Services Planning Council. After completing his public health degree, he briefly worked in India on several projects, including Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria Round 8 proposal writing. In a whirlwind.  Michael has been with the NY AIDS Institute National Quality Center where he has led several national campaigns, including the in+care Campaign and end+disparities Learning Exchange in addition to key multi-state learning collaboratives, including the HIV Cross-Part Care Continuum Collaborative (H4C). In his spare time, he has been building a charitable social community of gay men living with HIV in New York called, impac+NYC and overseen its transformation from a weekly happy hour into a formal 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with multiple community activities and social outlets. In addition, he has been ramping up his own private consultancy to launch on September 1, 2017, which will focus on domestic and international peer learning around HIV and quality of care.  Michael is the President and CEO of Hager Health, LLC and the Executive Director of impac+NYC and is based in New York, NY. He has a master of public health degree in epidemiology and a master of arts degree in comparative public health policy.   

Mary Bowman is an internationally recognized motivational speaker, singer, and poet native to the Washington, DC area. Drawing from personal experience, both transparent and vulnerable whether, in poetry or song, her words allow her access to spaces that aren’t traditionally artistic. From local open mic nights to international conferences and beyond, Mary shares herself openly and proudly.   Mary’s life and work have been featured in various mediums; print publications, as well as broadcast television and radio networks. Her powerful performance caught the attention of the editors of A&U Magazine and led them to invite Mary to grace the cover of the August 2016 issue.   Mary is humbly continuing to carry out her vision to inspire people to find their own personal empowerment and freedom through her art. Mary has three projects available for purchase, ‘LOTUS’ the 2010 collection of poetry, LOVE B.O.A.T.S. the ep, released in 2014, and EMERGE the 2017 collection of poetry. Book Description: Emerge is a front row seat to the last 28 years of Mary Bowman’s journey through life, exploring her relationship with love, pain, and triumph. It is an honest and raw, first-hand poetic account of what it means to Emerge; To rise from an inevitable death in order to freely live. Sort of how a caterpillar dies intentionally to both its title and cocoon, emerging the butterfly that always was, always is, and always will be.  

Kalvin Pugh is a social media advocate and HIV Peer Educator in Kansas City Missouri. After being diagnosed HIV+ in 2016 he began sharing his relatively short journey with friends and family on Facebook. After receiving support for his brave honesty he decided to dedicate his focus on social media to show support and demonstrate hope to others living with HIV around the globe as Positively Kalvin. On social media he shares an unapologetic view of living well, and defying stigma with the hopes that it will change others viewpoint on living with HIV.    After 10 years in the beauty industry he felt the need to translate Positively Kalvin into a real life setting and took a position as HIV Peer Educator at the Kansas City Care Clinic. He daily works with patients newly diagnosed and those whom find difficulty being adherent to their medications and staying in care. In 2017 he was a finalist in the Andrew Christian Trophy Boy model search, has appeared in articles, social media campaigns, and a documentary film discussing the stigma of living with HIV

Guy Anthony is a well-respected HIV/AIDS activist, community leader and author. Diagnosed with HIV as a teen, Guy has dedicated his adult life to the pursuit of neutralizing global HIV/Aids-related stigmas. He released Pos(+)tively Beautiful: Affirmations, Advocacy & Advice on World AIDS Day in 2012. This collection of inspiring narratives, raw imagery, and affirming anecdotes has earned Guy much acclaim, including being named one of the top 100 HIV prevention leaders under 30 by POZ Magazine and as one of the top 100 Black LGBTQ/SGL Emerging Leaders to Watch by National Black Justice Coalition. Guy served as a Program Manager/Coordinator for the Treatment Adherence program at Us Helping Us, a local AIDS service organization serving Black communities in the Washington, DC area for two years. In his role at US Helping Us, Guy worked with newly diagnosed Black gay men to help them come to terms with their status, navigate the complex health care system so they can access care, and develop plans for them to adhere to their treatment regimen and achieve viral suppression. Guy also serves on Washington, DC’s Ryan White Planning Council, overseeing millions of dollars in HIV funding for the city and is a regular contributor to AIDS.gov and POZ.com. Guy serves as a brand ambassador to ViiV Healthcare, one of the country’s largest pharmaceutical companies. He is the President/CEO the Black, Gifted & Whole Foundation, a two-fold intermediary organization that provides scholarships to Black gay men attending Historically Black Colleges & Universities. Guy is currently focused on mobilizing HIV-positive Black gay men. He hosts POZ-ONLY advocates dinners quarterly, and facilitates a summit entitled “#POZTALK”, which is an intergenerational conversation that transcends age and socio-economic status. He is currently pitching these #POZTALKS to Black Gay Pride Celebrations around the Country.

As a local Foster Youth, LGBTQIA, and HIV/AIDS activist, Prizila Vidal continues to advocate for foster youth both working with youth during the coming out process, and during the transitional age of 18-24, linking young adults to housing, education and employment resources. Her  journey with HIV brought her to the Mother, Child and Adolescent Program (MCAP) at UC San Diego, where she continues to volunteer her time and story as a speaker for events and workshops. At the age of 24 she had aged out of the program and decided to continue advocating for HIV/AIDS Positive individuals but more so for anyone interested in their health and getting some support. She knows that the primary source to one’s health is having support. She unfortunately  did not have that support . Before she was even diagnosed she did not know anything about HIV/AIDS, nor how risky it can be and easy it is to contract it, although she got the disease by being raped. After knowing how easy it easy to contract it and share it she knew that she had to do something. She decided to bring up the so controversial topic to anyone and everyone that she could. These days besides her regular job she is an Educator on HIV/AIDS as well as many other topics I educate on. Furthermore, she  would like to encourage all of you out there that are newly or already diagnosed to find that Support and get your health if not Good then Better!!

I was born in Venezuela in 1964, I was diagnosed with HIV on June 24, 1986 at 22 years old and have lived with this guest in my body for 31 years or more.  Four years earlier in 1982 I had Hodgkin’s disease which was an experience that taught me how to navigate life altering experiences like HIV; I never really thought that I would die, but all the news when I was diagnosed said the longest prognosis was one year or maybe two. I never thought I’d live this long. In March I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and I’m now at the tail end of this Chemotherapy treatment. This kind of Lymphoma is common amongst long time survivors of HIV who’ve been taking HIV medications for a long time.I feel this time the Lymphoma has brought a purpose to my life I hadn’t realized, I’m documenting this process and doing my best to get money out of the medical establishment because then the patient takes a back seat.  I’m not sad or bitter about these experiences, they’ve shaped who I am today and have brought into my life a Massage/Bodywork, Breathwork and Spiritual Coaching practice that supports me and those I serve. Tune in live Sunday August 20th at 2pm EST to hear Juans whole story.

This Sunday, August 13th at 2pm EST, Robert will have the pleasure of speaking with Butch Mckay the Founder of the Positive Living conferences that take place each year in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. This September 15th-17th Butch and the OASIS family will be celebrating the 20th year Anniversary of Positive Living. Butch Mckay is currently Executive Director of Okaloosa AIDS Support and Informational Services, Inc. (OASIS), a position he has held since 1996. He founded the Positive Living Conference Series in 1997. We will also be joined by Cathy Robinson-Pickett who will be sharing about her experience as a attendee and presenter at Positive Living.

Jack Mackenroth is most widely known for his participation as a fashion designer on season 4 of Project Runway. He became one of the nations most visible HIV activists when he disclosed his positive HIV status on the show. It was the first public television disclosure since Pedro Zamora in 1994. Jack currently works as a media strategist for Housing Works in New York. There he art directed the New York based #PrEPheroes campaign to promote PrEP and he is currently promoting the Housing Works fundraiser, Braking AIDS Ride. He also plans to personally raise $75,000 and participate in the 300 mile bike ride in September. (He raised $56,000 in 2014) In 2013 he was the creator of the multi-media anti-stigma and HIV testing initiative, “HIV Equal”. On World AIDS Day 2014, he conceptualized and launched the HIV Shower Selfie Challenge with the hashtag #weareALLclean, which went globally viral in multiple countries with over 26 million social media impressions and translations in over 10 languages. From 2014 to 2016, Jack was the Senior Communications Officer of MSMGF—The Global Forum On MSM and HIV.Jack has two bachelor’s degrees from the University of California at Berkeley and one from Parson School of Design. He has been HIV positive for 28 years, since the age of 20. 

Hank is a 64-year-old Gay man, a 37-year resident of San Francisco, a 28-year Long-Term HIV/AIDS Survivor (diagnosed in 1989), a writer and occasional editor.  In the early 1980s, He wrote a lot of fiction and edited Drummer, Malebox, and Folsom Magazines.  Then AIDS hit, and suddenly the act of writing fiction seemed frivolous, almost disrespectful, and so Hank stopped writing.  For more than thirty years, He stopped writing -- the things that He knew He needed to write about were simply too painful even to contemplate, let alone write about.  Then, finally, in 2015 his fiance Rick convinced him, that it was time to push through that pain and get back to writing.  His "second act" began with the publication of his poem "Tornado" in A&U: America's AIDS Magazine, where he has published since January 2016 and have recently been named an Editor-at-Large. His bi-monthly column in A&U, "For the Long Run," addresses issues we Long-Term HIV/AIDS Survivors face.   

On Sunday July 9th we have the pleasure of speaking our friend the amazing Jamar Rogers. Most of you will recognize Jamar from his time as a contestant on The Voice a few years ago. Jamar first shared his story with us when he appeared on The Voice and then again after he was eliminated from the show. After being a semi-finalist on The Voice, he appeared on The Ellen Show, and was also seen on a host of TV shows and media outlets such as E! Entertainment News, The Today Show, Rolling Stone Online, USA Today, US Weekly, People Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, The Huffington Post, CNN, HLN’s Showbiz Tonight, Billboard, POZ I AM Radio, POZ Magazine, MTV News, Popcrush, Sway In The Morning, BET, The Root Top 100, Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show and many more social projects such as the World AIDS Conference and The Clinton Global Initiative. He is signed to Tommy Boy Entertainment and has announced a July 2017 release for his debut album "Lazarus".   

Connie Rose, a long term survivor since 1996, lives in Las Vegas with her daughter, grandson and best fur buddy, Sugar Bear. She is the founder of Livingapozlife on WordPress, trying to change the world one blog at a time. You can follow her on Twitter @Cricketlv and other social media sites.

Danny was born in Watertown, NY, lived there until he moved to SW Florida where he still resides.While Danny was in treatment for substance abuse he was asked to speak about living with HIV, and that he did. He continues to speak publicly and is very humble when he receives praise for his story. Danny lives in Orlando, Fl with his husband. In the past, he has been involved with the Ryan White planning council serving as the PWLH/A representative. Additionally,  he has acted as the chair for the Orange County health department's consumer advisory board. In December of 2016, Danny was awarded POZ magazine's top 100 for the southern region. 

Rob Olver is the editor of PositiveLite.com, Canada’s online HIV magazine, run by and for people living with HIV. “Pre-diagnosis, I was an education worker with an alternative life in experimental music.” he says. “I was diagnosed in 2014, just after my birthday and only a few days before I was to retire. It felt overwhelming initially but there’s nothing like a crisis to help you sort out what’s important. Certainly I found myself needing to revise some of my plans. But I’ve been helped and inspired by some great mentors along the way and they really helped me to hit the ground running once I was diagnosed and go straight into advocacy work, mostly via Positivelite.com exemplifies these values and is entirely run by and for people living with HIV. I love the level of commitment and passion of the people I’m working with and it’s been a huge honor for me to take over the reins as editor of PositiveLite.com. “So now that I’m retired, I’m busier than ever. It may sound crazy, but I celebrate my diagnosis each year, just like my birthday and I like my life better post-diagnosis than I did before.”  

Larry Frampton aka Cowboy Larry is a long term survivor of HIV/AIDS and longtime advocate. He is currently employed as the Public Policy Director of Nashville CARES and Director of Tennessee AIDS Advocacy Network and serves as Co-Chair of the Nashville Regional Ryan White Planning Council. Tennessee just made needle exchange legal and Frampton was the leader of that effort and intends on modernizing the TN HIV Criminalization Laws next.

Dorian-Gray Alexander has been living with HIV/AIDS since 2006. He embraces life as much as possible. He's committed to public service and social justice serving on many community boards. Dorian networks and advocates via the airwaves by hosting a radio show, "Proof Positive " on WHIV 102.3 FM in New Orleans. He can be seen hitting the streets as a 610 Stomper or at a local bar.  Dorian values his participation in advocacy, training and education regarding HIV at events, forums, and conferences by sharing ideas for treatment, linkage to care and retention in care for HIV.  Other than that some say he's a pretty cool cat.

16 years AIDS survivor, started volunteering shortly after being diagnosed, sharing his story at schools to students interested in health and social services. Over the years he has taught to about 2500 - 3000 students a year. From the Texas Valley, Houston to Orange County.  Personally dealing with drugs & alcohol, now clean & sober for about 10 years. Anal cancer survivor for about 2 years and living with a colostomy, he continues to educate students in high school, junior colleges and university about; HIV prevention, cancer, colostomies, depression, PTSD, while fighting stigma and the taboos in the Latino community.  In 2016 he became a California certified HIV tester and counselor, he also works with rehabilitation programs in the Orange County area offering education to both staff and residents. As well as leading the Laguna Beach HIV Advisory Committee as chair for the third year.  He hopes to one day be allowed to stand in a national stage and share with a larger Latino audience and open their minds and instigate an open conversation about sex, sexuality, and prevention.   

Join us this Sunday May 14th at 2pm EST for our Mother's Day broadcast. Robert Breining & Aaron Laxton will be speaking with with HIV+ mother, activist, radio host Davina Conner aka Pozitively Dee. Dee has been HIV+ for 20 years and will be sharing her story with our audience for the first time.  . Dee was diagnosed with HIV 20 years ago she contracted HIV from a 10 year relationship that  she thought was monogamous. Dee then married a man two years later who was HIV negative and had a beautiful daughter who was born negative.  Dee has not let HIV take control of who she is. She  loves life and  thrives to be happy. She wants to help educate the community about the virus  and on other health conditions to the best of her ability. Her radio show discusses various topics such as HIV, love, relationships, the church, stigma, mental health, self-care along with many other issues we face today. Her motto is - If we advocate for change, then we must advocate for all. Dee hosts the show and advocates to end the stigma that surrounds HIV/AIDS.  

Join us this Sunday May 7th at 2pm EST. Our hosts Robert Breining and Aaron Laxton will be speaking with Oregon activist Michael Lee Howard. Michael first sat down and shared his story with us in 2010. Michael Lee Howard was diagnosed with HIV in 2005. Upon his diagnosis he decided to dedicate his life to educating people about HIV, sex positivity, and hopefully be a role model. Michael is also dedicated to reducing stigma surrounding sexual health and HIV. "I believe that by being transparent with my story I can teach others that it is healthy to speak openly about your life and all aspects of it".  Michael has had the honor of being featured for the the 2014 re-launch of The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS foundation, as well as a CNN news piece on HIV and tattoos.He works at a local ASO that is opening Oregon's first LGBTQ+ Health Center. He is committed to teaching prevention strategies and helping erase stigma.

sunday April 30th we will be speaking with CJ Stobinski , an activist and runner out of Ohio. CJ Stobinski began his advocacy in February '15 after facing stigma and discrimination over his HIV status. Serving as Ohio Ambassador for the Positive Young People's Foundation, CJ worked on their HIV Ends With Me Because... social media campaign. Soon after, CJ announced a 5K HIV Awareness campaign live on Toledo local news the day after going public about his status on Facebook, and won his first two races a day apart. He has since competed in about 30 events wearing HIV awareness shirts, mainly No Shame About Being HIV+, and has also written for HIVHereAndNow.com.Last fall, CJ presented about person first language and Prevention Access Campaign's U=U message in Columbus with Equitas Health, and has trained community workers as an OH Department of Health HIV Education Trainer. In January '17, CJ traveled with Columbus based Youth Across Borders to Montaña de Luz, a home for children living with and affected by HIV in Honduras, and serves as their Youth Ambassador. As Rise Up To HIV's new Youth Ambassador, CJ strives to continue the mission of PYPF that originally drew him to advocacy, "To change the way people think, and talk about HIV." By day, CJ works as a Community Health Worker and Referral Assistant for a non-profit reducing infant mortality in NW Ohio. He enjoys cooking, yoga, and playing with his two fluffy cats.

Andrew grew up in Kentucky and is a former National Champion Cheerleader featured twice on ESPN. Later, Andrew appeared on the Emmy Winning seriesThe Amazing Race on CBS and several independent films and stage plays. Andrew has appeared in many national magazines and spoken at events such as New York City Pride. Andrew now works in social services at Cascade AIDS Project planning events that has raised over 6 million dollars for non-profit organizations. Currently, Andrew can be heard around Oregon and online through his radio segment and podcast. His first comic book series, he wrote and created, is available called Monsters Among Us.  

This Sunday April 2,  Robert and Aaron will be speaking with activist Joshua Middleton . Josh has sat down with us before in 201.  A lot has happened in 3 years and Joshua has been making big waves in the HIV community,  So we invited him back to hear what all the fuss is about.    Here is a little about Joshua in his own words.    When I heard the words “You are HIV Positive,” in June of 2012, time itself seemed to have stopped. It was as if I was seeing my whole life flash before my eyes and I was a simple bystander on the sidelines left with no control of the situation but to watch. My mind and body wanted to stay strong, but how can one expect to do so when receiving such news ? To call it a traumatic experience would be an understatement, it was a diagnosis that would forever change my life.   As someone who is a heterosexual male that wasn’t in what is considered a “high risk” group, it seemed as if contracting HIV would be the least of my worries. After all, HIV wasn’t something that happened to someone like me but to someone else, I told myself, right? I mean, I was getting tested on a regular basis just as a precaution so in my mind testing was prevention, however, I failed to realize I wasn’t doing anything to change my risk level when having sex. Join us live at 2pm EST to hear all of Joshua's story. 

Bob Leahy is the long-time editor of PositiveLite.com, Canada's online HIV magazine. He was diagnosed in 1993. He left a career in corporate banking to embark on a long volunteer career of HIV advocacy at the local, national and international levels. Most recently he has been the lead organizer for the U = U campaign in Canada but he has a particular interest in HIV and Aging and the issues of long term survivors.

Cathy Robinson Pickett is an internationally recognized motivational and inspirational educator. She has been named a National Point of Light, by President George Bush and recognized by countless organizations and media outlets including PEOPLE Magazine for her work in HIV, Domestic Violence, victims’ rights, sexual responsibility and patient advocacy. Cathy’s legislative activism on a local, state and Federal level began in 1992 and has continued to evolve across the intersections of victims and patients’ rights for sexual assault, domestic violence and HIV.  Her work initially focused on victims’ rights in assault cases and evolved into work around HIV testing for pregnant women and the availability of comprehensive reproductive health education for school aged young adults. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Friends-Together, a NGO that works with families infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Cathy is a native Floridian and daughter of a well-known Methodist Minister and college professor. Her southern roots shape her unique spirit and come through with her great passion and carrying for those she works with. Cathy’sprofessional career has included many years of working in higher education. Cathy has an extensive resume of accomplishments but if you were to ask her the most important thing she has accomplished it would be that her children Lyndsy and Garrett have grown into amazing young adults with hearts for activism and service.

This Sunday March 12th at 2pm EST, we will have the pleasure of speaking the hilarious, informative and handsome Mark S. King.  Mark has spoke with us before and has even co-hosted an episode with Robert. Mark S. King is the award-winning writer and HIV activist behind the blog My Fabulous Disease. He has been writing and speaking out about living with HIV since testing positive on March 15, 1985, only days after the test became publicly available. His writing has been featured in The Advocate, Newsweek, The Washington Blade, and on TheBody.com web site. In 2011, Mark was honored to be included among the “POZ 100,”. In November of 2012, Instinct Magazine named Mark one of their “Leading Men of 2012” for his HIV/AIDS advocacy and writing. Mark made the cover of the June 2013 issue of POZ Magazine, which included his essay, “The Sound of Stigma.” He was also honored to be among the Grand Marshals of the 2013 Atlanta Pride parade. His blog was a GLAAD Award nominee in 2015 and again this year, and he is among the most widely read HIV positive writers in the world.  

 This Sunday March 5th at 2pm EST Robert and Aaron will be speaking with Claes Lilja. - listen here.  Claes is the creator of Brotherhood Retreats, a program which has deeply impacted many lives through its multi-pronged, life-changing inner work process. Brotherhood Retreats is a 3-day retreat is an international gathering of gay and bisexual men who seek to enrich their lives through deeper insights, awareness and connections to both the community and oneself. We will be learning about physiological, psychological and spiritual tools to help create healthier and more fulfilling lives while forging bonds and friendships with other men from different parts of the world.   The program will include informational and instructional sessions as well as exercises and participation by all the attendees with attention given to the full body-mind-spirit connection. We will also have plenty of time for social activities and relaxation. There are a variety of different techniques used at the retreat including meditation, transformational breath work, healing touch and much, much more.   The retreat was originally created to help support those who are living with HIV, but over the years it has evolved to a spiritual retreat that is open to all men who are attracted to other men. As modern medicine is making serious advances, the gay community is finally beginning to heal the split between HIV-positive and negative men. We are thrilled be a part of that healing in whatever way we can support it. We all need each other to be strong, healthy and happy.

Join Robert And arron in this 30 min hot topic show 

Bob was diagnosed with AIDS on June 26th of 2000 which was his 50th birthday. Soon after that he moved from the east coast to Oregon, where he found Valley AIDS Information Network (VAIN) as a source of information that he needed so he could learn about this disease that he will most likely live with for the rest of his life. Bob first became a volunteer at VAIN, then he was asked to be a board member.  He has since been the President/CEO now for the last 10 years. Bob was also the Community Co-chair for the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) HIV/AIDS Statewide Planning Group for over 3 years. He is also an avid national HIV/AIDS Educational Speaker, last year alone Bob reached over 2,700+ students of all ages in local schools and universities. Bob also is a Master Trainer through Stanford’s Positive Self-Management Program, also known as Living a Healthy Life with HIV. He is also the On-Site Dean for Strength for the Journey which is an HIV/AIDS Retreat for up to 80 HIV Positive attendees, that is held every year in the beautiful mountains of Oregon. Anytime Bob has the opportunity he is educating the community and putting a face to this disease. Bob always thanks whatever group or individual he is talking to and tells them that since they have taken the time to listen to him and ask questions, they have just become advocates and that he hopes that all will share this information they have just received, to their peers, family and friends. He always asks them to please tell people that HIV/AIDS is not over yet and to know their status.  Yes, we have made some incredible steps in seeing the end of this disease, but we still have a long way to go. Bob witnessed the beginning of this disease, and his dream is to see the end of HIV and AIDS.

Michelle Anderson-Morrison, Ms. Plus America 2011, is first openly HIV positive woman to everrun for and win a national pageant title. Currently she resides in Dallas, Texas and is the CEO/Founder of Metamorphic Empowerment Center, a multifaceted prevention organization that empowers women to regain control of their lives through addressing issues that create vulnerabilities and risk for an HIV diagnosis. She is also a CAB member for The Well Project, Blogger for A Girl Like Me and Treasurer/Board Member for ADAP Advocacy Association, and anational ambassador for Greater Than AIDS Empowered Campaign. Michelle continues to use her story to eradicate stigma, shame and blame of those living and surviving with HIV. Michelle was nominated by her peers to sit on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) in 2011. She was also bestowed the honor of receiving the Positive Leadership Award by The National Association of People with AIDS recognizing the use of her "Bully Pulpit" to raise awareness, and inducted into the SisterLove’s 2013 2020 Leading Women’s Society

As founder of Prevention Access Campaign, Bruce Richman launched the Undetectable = Untransmittable (#UequalsU)campaign with a group of HIV activists and the world's leading scientists to ensure the most groundbreaking development in the past twenty years of the epidemic is communicated accurately and meaningfully: people living with HIV who are on treatment and undetectable cannot transmit the virus to others. Undetectable = Untransmittable - the evolution of communications about people living with HIV. Evolving science and empirical evidence since the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy shows that people living with HIV who are on treatment and undetectable do not transmit HIV to sexual partners. However, this groundbreaking news has been the "big secret" in HIV. Outdated, fear-based, stigmatizing messaging is wasting opportunities to improve the lives of people living with HIV, dismantle HIV stigma, and prevent new transmissions. The large majority of people living with HIV believe they will be "infectious" for the rest of their lives or until there is a cure. A team of HIV activists set out to change that. Working with the lead scientists from the major studies on HIV transmission risk, they created the first global consensus on transmission risk and leveraged that document to secure endorsements and to modernize how risk is communicated by public health departments and major AIDS organizations. The campaign's extensive niche and mainstream media coverage is dismantling HIV stigma by educating the public about #UequalsU. Now the word is getting out, but there is still far more work to be done to ensure equal access to this game-changing information, treatment, and care

This Sunday January 29th at 2pm EST we will be speaking with Diane Reeve the Author of Standing Strong. Diane first shared her story with us 7 years ago. We are excited to reconnect with her and see what she has been up to.    Divorced after 18 years of marriage, Diane Reeve thought she had finally found the last love of her life. The charming and handsome Frenchman she met almost was – but not in the way she expected. After dating 4 1/2 years with plans to move in together, Diane was devastated to learn that he had been cheating. Worse, she also found out that he had knowingly transmitted HIV to her.   Undaunted, she risked her life to find other survivors. There were more than 50! In a landmark court case, he was convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison. Her story is one of hope, inspiration, courage and the power of women supporting women. Diane's story was viewed by millions on 20/20 and Oprah and has been the subject of various magazine and newspaper articles worldwide.   She received the Paul S. Chapman award from the Foundation for the Improvement of Justice for her significant contribution to justice in America. She will be featured this fall on Oprah’s "Where Are They Now". As a 7th° black belt she embodies female empowerment and is a popular motivational speaker on overcoming obstacles. Her website  www.datestronger.com, is dedicated to empowering women to protect themselves physically, emotionally and sexually in the dating world. Her advocacy work emphasizes eliminating stigma and victim blaming. Diane's book Standing Strong ,the inspiring story of an unlikely sisterhood and the court case that made history was released in April of 2016  

Joseph Gray is a 24 year old who lives in California. Joseph is a recovering addict turned activist. Here is a little about Joseph in his own words. I will never forget the day I was diagnosed with an HIV positive status. I went to ER & they didn't know what was wrong. So I waited and got tested again. They called me into the community health clinic, where the dr said we are going to start you on meds but no one had yet told me the news. I was was indeed positive; It hit me like a truck. I remember breaking down, in her office that day. Not because I wasn't shock given my history. At the time my knowledge of HIV and AIDS was little to non. I felt like my life was over. Fearing how I would overcome the stigma? How would this affect my career? How would this affect my life? These are some of the questions that ran through my mind. I said f*#k it and my using would progressively get worse and I hit many bottoms. I did the geographical changes but nothing changed. I took myself with me where ever I moved. At the end of the road I knew if I continued only death would await me. I moved back home to Sacramento where I pick up substances once more. I was homeless, hopeless, and desperate. I realized I was trying to commit suicide on a installment plan.  Between Staying with friends trying to make things work or sleeping in my car.  I got in touch with a Counselor I took her suggestions. I finally put myself into therapy, substance counseling, and became apart of a youth living with HIV/AIDS program there at CARES Community Health. I found my path to recovery.  My clean date is 04-10-15. Today I know that an end is often a beginning, and a beginning can be the means to an end. HIV and my recovery have taught me this, my life didn't end that day with a diagnosis, is was just beginning a new chapter. Once I put down the substances, I picked up life. I am grateful that I get to live a life that is worth living.

Robert Suttle was convicted under Louisiana’s HIV-specific criminal statute after accepting a plea bargain and served six months in a Louisiana prison for HIV non-disclosure to a former partner, with whom he had a contentious relationship. Upon his release in January 2011, he has become engaged in anti-criminalization advocacy work. Today he is now assistant director of The SERO Project, a network of people living with HIV and allies fighting for freedom from stigma and injustice. He oversees the community outreach and education and coordinates Sero’s HIV Criminalization Survivors Network.  Prior to joining, SERO in March 2012, Suttle was a case manager and prevention specialist at the Philadelphia Center, a local AIDS service organization in Shreveport, Louisiana, working with other positive young African American men who have sex with men. Robert is also featured in the documentary film HIV is Not A Crime, has traveled abroad to Geneva, Switzerland to speak at the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board’s meeting in December, 2011, and Oslo, Norway for UNAIDS High Level Consultation on HIV criminalization in February, 2012, sharing his story. Robert is active with the Positive Justice Project and the HIV Justice Network. 

This Sunday January 8th at 2pm EST, Robert & Aaron return live for the first POZ I AM Radio show of 2017. In this 30 min special Robert and Aaron will be taking your calls all hour at (929) 477-3572 

James Breinig has been living with HIV for six years. His diagnosis certainly wasn't easy in the beginning, but with the help of supportive friends and family he was able to turn a diagnosis usually marked as something dark and scary into something - for a lack of a better word - positive. For the last three years he has done outreach on numerous gay dating apps where he provided information to hundreds of gay men about HIV or where to get tested. Recently, he accepted a position with the Northeast/Caribbean AETC where he assists in building clinician capacity and expertise along the HIV care continuum.  Tearing down the walls of stigma surrounding HIV has become his passion and he couldn't imagine doing anything else

Derek Canas (AKA D-REK), born a sweet, cute, seemingly healthy baby, had everything going for him until the age of 3 months, when he was surrounded by many doctors talking about transposition of the great arteries, pacemakers, and blood transfusions.  His parents now had, what they called a “battery operated son”. This was a scary scenario for his parents with so many touch-and-go moments.  16-years later another illness that Derek had been living with started to show symptoms: HIV.  This only brought on a more terrifying roller-coaster ride.  With courage, unconditional love and sheer determination, Derek was not going to let any one of his health issues get in the way of his dream of becoming a DJ! Spinning music is the passion of his soul.  Today, taking his fight against HIV to new hope, he serves as the Social Ambassador for Yes Get Tested Coachella Valley and BeeSafe Condoms. A survivor of both open heart surgery and HIV,  his doctors refer to him as "The Terminator." And that he is!! He is also the creator of the #EndTheStigma Campaign and D-REK's Angels and Warriors. On the weekends he turns into the crazy Emulator DJ – living his dreams!!

Wanda Brendle-Moss was diagnosed with HIV in July 2002 at the end of a relationship that had turned deadly violent. A relationship in which the man had failed to tell her that he had previously been involved with an HIV+ girl. Wanda has always been open about her Positivity...except in the early years because of a part time employer(after her 20 years as an RN) threatened to fire her if she discussed her HIV status in any way. Wanda has had 2 long term relationships with non HIV+ men since her diagnosis. The last one, began in 2004...and by 2007 began showing signs of strain...even so, Wanda tried to hold on to the relationship.  But she became increasingly depressed...resulting in her stopping her medications. As a result, Wanda was hospitalized in 2008 with Trigeminal Shingles.  She was then diagnosed with AIDS. Wanda resumed all her HIV care, resumed her medications...and her Viral Load quickly returned to undetectable...yet to this day...her cd4 count has not gone above 225.  Wanda has been featured in magazines,blogs and websites all over the world. She now will sit down with POZ I AM Radio and tell all. You wont want to miss this episode.

Philip Christopher Baldwin is a 31-year-old LGBT rights and HIV awareness activist. He was diagnosed as HIV positive in 2010, when he was 24-years-old. Philip went through an empowering process of acceptance surrounding his HIV. He we has columns in Gay Times and the Huffington Post and am a Stonewall Role Model. He has recently contributed to a book called The Power of my Faith and is working on a semi-autobiographical book on stigma, called Positive Damage. Themes which are central to his activism include: HIV awareness, Hep C, LGBT bullying in schools and Christianity for LGBT people. Philip says and we quote "I am happy, healthy and POSITIVE." 

After watching his partner become diagnosed with HIV and after noticing an absence of HIV negative young people (specifically gay & young people of color) advocating about social issues Benjamin Di'Costa decided to dedicate his life to being involved in the LGBTQ community on issues surrounding social justice and health education. Benjamin currently promotes HIV testing/education, PrEP, and Transgender health equality. He also spends his time advocating for expanded services for HIV prevention & treatment with other community members.

Josh Robbins started blogging weeks after learning his was living with HIV in Nashville; actually releasing his first blog post on Facebook to his personal friends. I'm Still Josh (ISJ) is an award-winning blog and online personality & journey of Josh Robbins, a recognized HIV-positive activist and quickly being recognized as the new "HIV-positive Encourager". The #HIVScoop formerly the HIV Video Minute,is the top buzz worthy HIV related info update videos by HIV blogger and activist, Josh Robbins ofimstilljosh.com. ?Josh contributes an exclusive weekly #HIVScoop for POZ I AM Radio.

Robert Breining & Aaron Laxton return to the airwaves for the much anticipated return of POZ I AM Radio. Kevin Maloney stops by to talk about his "What's your positive message" campaign.

My name is Joshua Middleton and I was diagnosed HIV positive on June 5, 2012. I had survived death twice already from Necrotizing Fasciitis and Septic shock while being hospitalized over 30 + times in a two year period. I was diagnosed when I was already in a very stressful moment of my life. I was in a relationship with a girl in Tijuana Mexico that I thought would eventually end in the perfect white picket fence life, including marriage and a baby. I was wrong… She cheated on me twice while we were attempting to have a baby together. Not knowing how to deal with the relationship breakup I started to seek out love in all the wrong places including having multiple one night stands unprotected and even visiting brothels in Northern Tijuana in an effort to want to feel what it was like to have a woman's touch again. I had put myself in many high risk situations, I wasn't sure if my ex had used protection, and we had both gotten tattoos just month prior. I got tested as I normally did out of routine after getting symptoms of pink eye. I expected a negative result as I always had received but this time it was not so good news , I came out positive. I was forced to make the decision of where my life would go from there on out. After being inspired by several HIV activist who have now become good friends, I was determined to not let this virus defeat me. I started on treatment a week after being diagnosed and decided to take the optimistic route to this virus. I became an HIV activist, letting everyone know about my story, assuring people this is certainly not just a gay mans disease. I am more than a virus and have big dreams/goals for my life that this virus will not stop me from accomplishing. This is my story a California boy who does not fall into the average "stigmatized statistic" that people think of when it comes to HIV however this is my life, I am HIV + and there is no shame in me knowing my status.ory. An average Southern

Robert and Aaron will be speaking with the Founder of Rise Above HIV Jeremy Scott Hobbs. Call us with questions and comments at 347-215-9442 RISE ABOVE HIV is a CVBWF Inc. organization for people who are affected or infected by HIV/AIDS. This Organization is a Place for us to Realize we are more than a disease. We define Our Lives....Not the Disease. This is a page for support, love and understanding and we are working to help lift the veil of shame for 34 million people living with AIDS who have endured stigma and discrimination. RISE ABOVE HIV! Invite everyone you know who has been infected or affected by HIV. We will Rise ABOVE HIV and show the world we are more than a disease. We define our destiny...Not a disease.

Rob Quinn is an openly gay HIV-positive activist and blogger. After hitting his rock bottom in 2007, resulting from an HIV diagnosis in 1993, an AIDS diagnosis in 1999, and the need to take an extended medical leave of absence from his child life career in NYC, Rob has since reinvented himself and in 2012 launched the blog www.OpenlyPoz.com to empower and support his peers who are living positive. As of September 2013, Rob was appointed to a three-year term on the Statewide Consumer Advisory Board of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of HIV/AIDS. Prior to that, Rob served on the Board of Trustees at the AIDS Foundation of Western Massachusetts (AFWM). He first became involved with AFWM in 2008 as a recipient of their emergency financial assistance program. Rob has since received AFWM’s Community Activist Recognition Award, and co-facilitates Living Positive, the area’s only peer-led support for men living with HIV/AIDS. Rob believes that by putting a face to HIV and talking about in open forums, we can lessen stigma and make sure silent voices are heard. Whether or not you have been directly impacted, we are all affected by HIV/AIDS.

Robert & Aaron spend 60 minutes talking all things HIV.

Robert and Aaron will be speaking with 2 amazing Mothers this evening.  Jane is a mother, college student, public speaker, HIV activist and advocate, and she is herself positive. Jane has spent the last four plus years since she was diagnosed learning what she could about HIV itself, the stigma attached the disease. Jane enjoys to spend as much time possible just being mommy to her four year old son and she believes that it is her privilege and honor to be his mother and to be the activist she has became. Later we will be joined by Chelsea Gulden White. Chelsea was diagnosed HIV positive at 21 years old between her junior and senior year In college. She was also told she was 10 weeks pregnant. HIV catapulted Chelsea into a career working with other HIV positive adolescents. She developed and implemented the first and only HIV program for youth ages 12-24. The program has yielded excellent results serving 81 youth in 2013 with 35.8% achieving am undetectable viral load when the national average for everyone in care is only 25%. Chelsea has since completed her Master's in Social Work, gotten married, & had two more children. Chelsea is very proud of her accomplishments but her 3 beautiful HIV negative boys bring her the most pride and joy.

Mark S. King produces the funny and often controversial blog, My Fabulous Disease. He has been writing and speaking about HIV since he tested HIV positive in 1985, including the widely circulated POZ Magazine cover essay this year, "The Sound of Stigma."

Tonight Robert & Aaron will be speaking with 3 young men in their 20's who are living with HIV and how they have found support in eachother. The three men were recently featured in an A&U Magazine article. AdamStraga is 25 year old single gay male living in New Jersey. Who was diagnosed with HIV a few years ago and has been in an up and down battle dealing with the stigma. Amir Simon is 22 years old and was born and raised in Philadelphia. He has been HIV positive for about 2 years now and feel that his diagnoses has made him a more positive person. Ryan Hunter Ruggiero currently lives in the city of Philadelphia and is a full time Design Assistant at Ethan Allen and a part time flight attendant. He found out he was HIV positive 2 years ago. The support from his friends and family have been a great help in him accepting his status.

Damon L. Jacobs is a Licensed Psychotherapist in New York State, and has worked in HIV Treatment and Prevention for most of the past 22 years.  His 2008 book, "Absolutely Should-less" criticizes traditional HIV prevention strategies that fail to  effectively impact and change high-risk sexual behaviors.   He has been publicly speaking out in favor of information, education, and accessibility regarding PrEP for the past 12 months.  He frequently offers talks throughout New York City on subjects related to healthy living, joyful relationships, and rejecting stigma.   For more information, please email him at Shouldless@gmail.com or call 347-227-7707. 

Scott A. Kramer, LCSW, ACSW, is a psychotherapist in private practice working with the LGBTQ community in New York City. in 2007, Scott graduated SUNY Stony Brook, School of Social Welfare and started work as the Prevention Social Worker in the Youth Enrichment Services program at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in Manhattan. In 2009, he accepted the Supervising Counselor position at the Hetrick-Martin Institute and in 2010 received his SIFI certification from Columbia University School of Social Work. One of Scott's main goals as a social worker is to help empower people living with HIV/AIDS to lead a fulfilling life, free from stigma and fear. He accomplishes this by being a social worker who is open to both clients and colleagues about being a gay man and living with AIDS since 1995. In August 2010 Scott developed "Hi-fIVe - A Support Group for Gay Men Living with HIV/AIDS in New York City" a low-cost, weekly support group for adult gay men living with HIV/AIDS. "Hi-fIVe" has a monthly topic and is continually well attended. Scott is a 2010 recipient of the NASW-NYC Social Work Emerging Leader Award, and has presented at the Boston College National Conference on Social Work and HIV/AIDS each year since 2010. He has been involved with Cycle for the Cause, a 275 mile bike ride fundraiser for the LGBT Center of Manhattan's HIV/AIDS services, as a pos-ped crew member since 2009. For more information about Scott A. Kramer, LCSW, ACSW and his work, please visit his website at www.scottakramer.com  

Peter Staley has been a long-term AIDS and gay rights activist, first as a member of ACT UP New York, then as the founding director of TAG, the Treatment Action Group. He served on the board of the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) for 13 years and then founded AIDSmeds.com, an educational website for people living with HIV. Staley is a leading subject in the Oscar-nominated documentary How to Survive a Plague.

What began as a grassroots effort to fight stigma of HIV have been developed into a campaign with a full Mission Statement and has achieved recognition of 501c3 nonprofit status through the CARES organization. Mr Friendly has received so many amazing questions. We want to share these questions with you through the Frequently Asked Questions link, on this page. I encourage you to keep asking question by sending them to the creator of Mr Friendly, Dave Watt. Please feel free to e-mail Dave at DWatt@CARESSswm.org. We will strive to add your question for others to learn more about Mr Friendly. Mr Friendly began as a picture on a clipboard in September 2008. People loved the symbol, as a visual expression of how so many of us feel – to end the stigma of HIV. Check out the full History of Mr Friendly here. Mr Friendly has already touched many people’s lives in a variety of ways. Helping to initiate conversations about HIV, proven to be an effective fundraising tool and being a fun symbol to wear are just a few. See what a few celebrities and activists have to say in the High Five section.

Tonight Robert & Aaron will be discussing HIV Criminalization with Robert Suttle and Tami Haught Robert Suttle was convicted under Louisiana’s HIV-specific criminal statute after accepting a plea bargain and served six months in a Louisiana prison for HIV non-disclosure to a former partner, with whom he had a contentious relationship. Upon his release in January 2011, he has become engaged in anti-criminalization advocacy work.Today he is now assistant director of The SERO Project, a new nonprofit initiative combating HIV criminalization, stigma, and discrimination, promoting the empowerment of people with HIV, providing support to those charged or at risk of being prosecuted. Tami Haught is the Community Organizer for Community HIV/Hepatitis Advocates of Iowa Network (CHAIN) the lead advocacy group in Iowa working to modernize Iowa's HIV specific criminalization law.  Tami is also President of Positive Iowans Taking Charge, the lead educational, emotional and social support group for Iowans living with HIV/AIDS.  She is on several other boards including the SERO Project Board of Directors and USPLHIV Caucus.

This Sunday Robert Breining and Aaron Laxton will be speaking witht he founder of Dab the AIDS Bear Project. Back in 1981 when Dab 1st had friends starting to die from AIDS, the hospitals wouldn't allow visitors into the patient's room unless you wore protective garments (gowns, masks etc.) because they were afraid of this new disease and were not sure how the virus was passed. Because of this, people were usually close to death and had at least one opportunistic infection when they were diagnosed and hospitalized. You could see even seasoned health care professional recoil in fear and not wanting to touch the patients. Even close friends were hesitant or scared to visit their friends in the hospital. Dab started buying Gund teddy bears and giving them to friends so they wouldn't have to feel so alone, abandoned and afraid. That is how Dab the AIDS Bear Project began, Learn more at www.dabtheaidsbearproject.com

Join Robert and his new cohost for the 5th season premiere of POZ I AM Radio. They will be recapping the Positive Living 16 Conference and talking with the man behind Positive Living Butch Mckay. They will also be joined by Rick Vitale this years recipient of the Martin Delany Power of One Award. Feel free to call into the show and share  what your experience at the conference was like . 347-215-9442.

 Butch Mckay is currently Executive Director of Okaloosa AIDS Support and Informational Services, Inc. (OASIS), a position he has held since 1996. He founded the Positive Living Conference Series in 1997. Butch has been involved in the AIDS arena for 24 years, starting his career as a volunteer with Birmingham AIDS Outreach and UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) AIDS Clinic and Research Center. He assisted BASIC in Panama City with initial trainings when they became an AIDS Service Organization in the late 80’s and later served as a case manager, case manager supervisor , and director of education for BASIC for a collective total of 5 years. He served on the planning committee for the White House Summit on HIV and Aging and attended the Presidential Reception for the National AIDS Strategy. He directs the Activate! U Advocacy Academy program that was awarded the ADAP Grassroots Advocacy Campaign of the Year Award by aaa+. Butch was awarded the Florida HIV/AIDS Red Ribbon Excellence Award for Highest Achievement, and under his direction was awarded the one of the Sapphire Awards of Distinction for Community Health Excellence by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida. But the award he values the most was perhaps the most unique, attendees of one of the Positive Living Conferences all signed personal messages on his office door thanking him for opening doors to so many.

Join us as we sadly say farewell to the fabulous Jeromy Dunn, Jeromy has been co hosting the show with Robert since its inception. They will be sharing memories about past guests and shows. Call into the show and show some love to Jeromy 347-215-9442

Fellow Blogger & Activist Aaron Laxton sits with Robert and Jeromy for a hour of Hot Topics. Call us with your thoughts at 347-215-9442

Robert and Mark S. King will be discussing news headlines and hot topics in the HIV/AIDS community.

Tune in for our special 1 hour Mother's Day Show. We will be speaking with 3 HIV positive mothers. They will share how they shared their diagnosis with their children and how HIV has played a role in their role as a mother.

This Pretty Boy with HIV name is B. Styliz Ortiz. B. Styliz is a twenty-three year old Homosexual Brooklyn Native. Ortiz is also an Author (Pretty Boy with the House In Virginia), Motivational Speaker, Activist for HIV. Author B. Styliz Ortiz expresses his passion to speak out on HIV and its Stigma because he too is HIV POSITIVE. Mr. Ortiz book "Pretty Boy with the House In Virginia" discloses all the juicy, raw, real, and most in importantly the awareness of the risk that those who live a promiscuous lifestyle put themselves in. Which he speaks from experiences, after many tragic death he became numb, exploring the world with no care. When he contracted the virus in 2010 by his secretive ex boyfriend. Beside the book B. Styliz is a motivational speaker who has spoken at "El Puente for the Youth" for Latino AIDS Day 2012, also a Book Signing at Howard University in Washington D.C. (December 2012) B. Styliz also Hosted a HIV/AIDS Charity Event Fabulous Faces Foto Shoot (October 2012), he plans on spreading the word personally. B. Styliz has also addressed the Thomas Jefferson High School located in Brooklyn, NY about SAFE SEX, and the Stigma of HIV, living promiscuous lifestyle. Wanting all to get personal and become aware. When B. Styliz isn't spreading the word he is into Fashion Designing and Event Planning. *To purchase the book please visit: www.talkdatishbooks.com, www.bstylizortiz.com or you may download it via Barnes & Nobles | NOOK | Amazon | Kindle. **For Booking Contact: info@talkdatishbooks.com or info.hivbook@gmail.com ***Social Media Contact: Facebook Author B Styliz Ortiz Twitter/Instagram: @bstylizortiz @talkdatishbooks

JZ was born in raised in Georgia by his mother. He grew up poor and didn’t have very man friends. This really messed with his self-esteem. He was always picked to play last when it came to sports. At 19 he left home, because living in the conservative south was too hard for him. At 24 he found out he was HIV+. He thought his life was over. Within the last eleven years, he has realized that life continues and is better than he ever thought it could ever be. He now plays softball, flag football, and basketball. In basketball, the sport he remembers being the most unfriendly as a kid, he recently won the coaches award.

Kristopher Sharp, an openly gay student running for student body vice-president at University of Houston–Downtown, was the target of a horrific smear campaign last week when a flyer with Sharp's photo and the headline "WANT AIDS?" circulated around campus. Accusing Sharp of having a "homosexual agenda," the flyer's creator reached a new level of awful by also printing a copy of Sharp's confidential medical records containing his HIV-positive status on the back. Though he initially considered transferring schools, thanks to the support of his friends and the university, Sharp has decided to stay at UHD and continue his campaign. He is not planning to pursue any legal action: "I just want an apology. And I'm going to wait for that.

Michelle Anderson is an African-American woman who has been living for HIV since 1999. She currently resides in Dallas, Texas and is very active in her community as Co-Chair of Campaign to End AIDS Texas , The Afiya Center Peer Educator , Public Speaker , as well as a board member for AIDS Services of Dallas, and ADAP Advocacy Association where she is the Treasurer. Michelle has dedicated much of her personal life to educating others on HIV/AIDS throughout the greater Dallas area and beyond. She plans to finish her degree in Social Work where she will be able to continue to spread the message, and educate people regarding HIV/AIDS. Michelle has stepped out of the box and was previously crowned  Ms. Duncanville Plus America 2010 and 2011. She plans to use her title to become the voice of positive women of color. Michelle has experience as a group facilitator and has attended many conferences where she received training in Advocacy, Project LEAP (Learning, Empowerment, Advocacy, Participation), and Common Threads.

Tonight Robert & Jeromy will be discussinga range of topic and news headlines. Call the show with your comments. 347-215-9442

Positive since 2005, Danny now is a staunch advocate/activist in the AIDS community. Working as as outreach supervisor and peer group facilitator he fights everyday to end stigma and AIDS related health disparities. He had recently been named chairperson for the Southern Maryland region for The HIV Planning Group, which has been newly created by the CDC.  Together with the amazing network of advocates/activists that are available to our community Danny can see the day when AIDS is no more.

The Needle Prick Project is an editorial and visual project with the mission of sparking a new conversation about HIV today.  The editorial project is a profile series featured in The Advocate online magazine that is intended to place a modern face on HIV. These profiles not only feature people who are positive but also those who have an experience with HIV - whether it be a partner, brother, mother or friend.  The visual project allows others to become involved in the project by taking a photo with a red band aid and the "get pricked" logo.  Each photo represents a commitment to having a conversation about HIV with friends and family. The project began with the initial article, "The Needle Prick" Reluctant Commentary from a Newly HIV Positive 20-Something."  The Needle Prick is a metaphor for being afraid of something that ultimately makes us feel better.  Most people are afraid of discussing HIV, but education through conversation is the best way to erase stigma, increase awareness and prevent transmission.

At the age of 17, Jake was doing things that no 17 year old should be doing, and he was doing these things without any protection. On June 2nd 2012 Jake was told something no one wants to ever hear, He at the young age of 17 was HIV positive. Jake is open to his family and friends and has always been, this is one reason why he believes he’s come so far in so little time with coming to terms with his diagnosis. This was a Jake knew that this was going to be a life changing event and vowed from that day forward that he would do everything in his power to not let it happen to any other youth. Today, 9 months after his diagnosis, Jake is happy, healthy, and now fulfilling his vow he made to himself and doing everything in his power to prevent youth from contracting HIV. View Jakes Letter to HIV

 DISCLOSURE - STIGMA - DATING - STARTING MEDICATIONS ..Call us with your topics and comments at 347-215-9442

On Sunday February 3rd Kevin Maloney the founder of RiseUpToHIV is going to be talking about his new Anti-Stigma Campaign - No SHame in Being HIV Positive. This is a Global public campaign inspired by Chelsea Clinton raising awareness by holding a simple sign for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Kevin's vision for this campaign is to mobilize people in places across the United States and the World willing to stand up to Stigma and Rise Up To HIV, all in an effort of realizing the UN Goals of getting to ZERO. The biggest barrier Kevin believes to realizing these goals is STIGMA.  

Robert Breining & Jeromy Dunn will be dicussing a range of hot topics this evening. DISCLOSURE - STIGMA - DATING - STARTING MEDICATIONS ETC...Call in and weigh in with your comments at 347-215-9442

Alexander Smith is a teacher, licensed clinical social worker, coach, writer, speaker, actor, and artist. Living with HIV since 2003, he was diagnosed on St. Patrick’s Day, and views that “lucky” day as the moment he began to live. In June of 2011, he was featured on CNN, commemorating 30 years of HIV/AIDS. Coming Out with his status has shifted the isolation, stigma, discrimination, and judgement that has accompanied his journey with the virus. Through this courageous and necessary action, more love, support, friendship, health, and abundance has graced his life. He is the vision behind Bless Your Virus, a movement and conversation aimed to inform and inspire. Its mission is to: 1.Deconstruct shame, stigma and secrets. 2.Spread compassion, courage, connection, kindness and kinship. 3.Teach others a mindfulness as they learn to bless their fear, disease, and virus. 4.Speak the C Word (cure). Alexander is a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, and is currently living in Southern California. He has studied film and theater, earned a bachelor’s degree in human development from Brigham Young University, and a master’s of social work from the University of Utah. Shortly after his diagnosis he started using crystal meth as a means to feel alive, invincible, and uninfected. Coming In to an awareness of divine self, primarily through meditation and yoga, Alexander has experienced years of sobriety. Alexander is passionate about people, theater, film, food, wine, travel, watercolors, cashmere, coffee, mornings and men. He is a gifted therapist and coach and his practice is primarily based online from the comfort and coziness of your couch (via SKYPE or FACETIME). For more information about Alexander and his work, to view the CNN interview, or read his monthly column, Cashmere Sex, visit www.blessyourvirus.com

Josh Kruger, a child of the nineties, grew up in a rural town in Pennsylvania.  In 2002, he moved to Philadelphia where he attended the University of Pennsylvania studying political science and anthropology.  For five years, he worked in community and LGBT non-profit development, fundraising, and marketing.  Diagnosed as HIV positive in his late twenties, he left the non-profit industry and started Emapwerks, his company focusing on writing, editing, and marketing, in 2012. Josh writes often utilizing his personal perspective with sero-discordant relationships, online sex and dating, alcoholism, homelessness, Philadelphia's street economy, and depression.  In particular, he writes on LGBT political issues, small business, HIV/AIDS, gay culture, bathhouses, sex, alcohol and drug abuse, and personal ethics.  His work has been produced predominantly for Philadelphia-based print publications and national blogs and his Myers-Briggs personality type indicator is ENTJ. Josh currently lives and writes in Philadelphia.

Jason King, a transplant from Los Angeles, California, lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with his partner. He started working for AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) in 2010 in the organization's pharmacy division where he discovered his passion for patient advocacy. King now serves as Advocacy and Legislative Affairs Manager in AHF's Southern Bureau, where he leads local and nationwide advocacy efforts and maintains relations with state and federal officials. King has been HIV positive for 6 years and aims to have an active role in reducing stigma that revolves around HIV/AIDS especially in the gay community. As a former beneficiary of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, King seeks to preserve the program as he joins others in protecting and expanding its capacity to provide lifesaving therapy to those in need. In his free time, King is a runner, a Pride Center volunteer and a classical pianist.  

James Breinig lives in southern NJ. James is 29 years old and on November 2, 2010 He thought his life was over. He tested positive for HIV at the Washington West Project in Philadelphia. Not knowing a lot about the disease, He was convinced his life from that point on would be one of pain and suffering. A little over two years later his life has absolutely changed for the better! As time went on he felt that he really wanted to share his story. Not because it is Hollywood material but because it is very similar to a lot of other HIV positive individuals. His hope is that it will touch someone newly diagnosed or someone who has been living with it for years, who may be afraid to tell anyone, and to let them know they're going to be okay. In the past two years James has learned a lot and he wants to continue educating himself so that he can share that with others. He has been lucky in that he has been showered with love and support, but he knows that not everyone out there is in the same boat. He thinks a big reason is that HIV is still a taboo subject. If more HIV positive people share their story, everyone they reach out to now knows someone who is living with it and hopefully they can see that HIV isn't WHO they are, only something they are living with. It is absolutely possible to lead a long, healthy life thanks to great strides in medicine. He believes that silence only fuels the stigma still surrounding HIV/AIDS, He would like to break that silence one person at a time.

Ken Warnock served three years in the Navy prior to being discharged for being gay before “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was even enacted.  As a Navy Hospitalcorpsman, he was involved in the roll out of HIV testing of US military personnel in the mid-80’s.  After the Navy, Ken used his military training as a Surgical Technologist to gain employment upon his return home to Michigan.  As a result of his experience with discrimination, he became an advocate for gay rights and became involved in a number of local organizations.  When DADT was being discussed, Ken was a common local media presence.  In 1988, he contracted Hepatitis B from a scalpel injury during a surgical procedure.  This did not preclude him from working in the OR, however, when he was diagnosed with HIV & AIDS in 2002, a routine test demonstrated the presence of the Hepatitis B E-antigen which meant that he could no longer perform invasive surgical procedures.  He has become an Adjunct Faculty member at Macomb Community College and at Oakland Community College where he teaches Surgical Technology and Central Services Technology.  He also works full-time as a shift supervisor in the Sterile Processing Department of a local hospital.  

On Sunday December 9th Jason Villalobos will be sharinghis story on the POZ I AM Radio Show. Jason Villalobos is an HIV/AIDS activist and national spokesperson for the Greater Than AIDS Campaign. Diagnosed with AIDS some 8 years ago, he has since dedicated his life to helping eradicate the shame and stigma associated with the disease.   Through public appearances, direct lobbying of elected officials, and partnering with local non-profits in San Francisco, Jason has advocated for more funding and charitable giving through his high profile in the HIV/AIDS activist world.   Last World AIDS Day Jason shared his story with www.edgeonthenet.com in the FACES of AIDS Video Series.

Justin B. Terry-Smith, 32, has been an HIV and Gay Civil Rights activist in the Washington DC area since 1999.  An Air Force veteran, he was honorably discharged with awards and decorations in 2003.  Justin created ‘Justin’s HIV Journal’ to advocate for HIV/AIDS education, prevention and awareness.  In his journal he tells people about the trials and tribulations when it comes to living with HIV/AIDS. He is also the Author of “I Have A Secret”, which is a story about a young boy living with HIV.  Justin also presently writes an Advice Column called, ‘Just*in Time’ for A&U, America’s AIDS Magazine & is working on his HIV Campaign called, ‘Write A Letter to HIV Campaign’ He also is in Graduate School for his Master’s in Public Health Philip B. Terry-Smith, Ph.D., Th.D., LPC., is in private practice as an executive and personal coach, counselor and organizational consultant. He has worked with many diverse populations and settings, noted for using creative approaches to help organizations and individuals meet and overcome challenges and has thus made a career of human service management and consulting.  He has taught at all levels (graduate & undergraduate) for the many years in distance, “non- traditional” and “brick and mortar” schools including a 10 year stint in a high school.  He is on the Boards for the Atlas Performing Arts Center and is vice chair for APAC Manager. He is a commissioned officer in the Maryland Military Department, Md. Defense Force and is Sr. Clergy and a Chaplain for his Temple. His love for music and technical gadgetry presents an avocation for which he is quite fond and earned him the moniker “Dr. Gadget”.  He is an avid motorcyclist and is honored to ride with the Patriot Guard.  He currently resides in Maryland with his spouse Justin and their foster son.

On Sunday November 25th at 9pm, Kari Farmer-Coffman will be sharing her story. Kari lives near Fort Smith, AR. She is the mother of a beautiful daughter. Kari was diagnosed with HIV on NOv 4, 2010 and two days later was diagnosed with AIDS. She was told to make plans for her daughter and her funeral. Kari was not ready to quit. Two years later, she is still fighting and making a difference in the community. She is now undetectable. She is a full time student, an advocate and activist, and most importantly a better mother! She knows that she has a voice for this cause and she uses it to the best of her abilities. Today she enjoys being a Girl Scout Leader, and is currently working on 2 grassroots organizations, AR HOPE is a prevention based program in the state of Arkansas. She is the leader of the River Valley branch (for her area in Arkansas) She has also helped start the C2EA(campaign to end AIDS) Arkansas branch. She is excited to see the growth in Arkansas. She has joined the PJP HIV Criminalization state task force to help change the HIV Criminalization laws in her state. She has also been invited to join the Arkansas HIV Minority Task Force that meets at the capital and works to change policeis and make life easier for those living with HIV. She is excited about her future as an activist and advocate. Working hard is one of the main things that keeps her motivated.

Chaz Howard is 19 years old and resides in Des Moines, Iowa. Howard was diagnosed fewer than nine months ago, yet he has made the choice to be completely transparent with regards to his HIV-positive status -- even with friends, family, fellow students and some acquaintances. Chaz has found care and support that was unexpected and he speaks from the perspective of a newly-diagnosed youth of a mixed ethnicity in a state where a harsh HIV criminalization law exists. Howard is a member/volunteer of Positive Iowans Taking Charge (PITCH), an emotional and social support group run by HIV+ for HIV+. Chaz also volunteers with an Iowa-based non-profit organization titled Community HIV/Hepatitis Advocates of Iowa Network (CHAIN); CHAIN is spearheading the effort in Iowa to repeal or "modernize" Iowa's Draconian HIV-specific criminalization statute.

On Sunday November 7th at 9pm EST we will be speaking with Activist Jeff Allen on the POZ I AM Radio Show. Jeff Allen tested positive in 1985. He was a drug addict using heroin and cocaine and reckless in his behavior. Jeff was homeless and living in my car for more than two months. Jeff lived in Key west with his partner of 12 years where the HIV community was small and compact. When it came to the end of his life he wanted to leave and go where he was not so well known. After his passing Jeff moved to Deland Florida right outside the Daytona Beach area. He was very frail and weak, but needed a purpose in his life. This is when Jeff first started volunteering with HIV/AIDS in 1995. Living with no T-cells for 3 years and a viral load 1,650,000 Jeff contracted MAC (Mycobacterium avium complex) from potting plants in my yard. “MAC,” is the name of a group of germs. These germs can infect people who are living with HIV. Jeff had to go on an IV drip for 5 days. Then Jeff got involved with his local Ryan White consortium he ended up chairing the consortium for 7 years. He then decided he wanted to make a difference on the national level. Jeff knew he wanted to get involved with the homeless in some capacity since he was previous homeless. Jeff also knew that he wanted to help improve the quality of care that HIV/AIDS patients receive. So he applied and was accepted in several different positions Then in 2011 working with his consortium, they needed to address the out of care numbers of clients that they have in the local area. After conducting focus groups and soliciting surveys, it was decided that the real issue was the fear and stigma that is associated with HIV/AIDS. People did not want to get tested in areas know to treat or counsel HIV positive people for fear of being associate with having the disease or being gay. So Jeff created the Positive Champions Speakers Bureau to deal with fear and stigma. www.positivechampions.org

Kathleen Gerus-Darbison is currently an Adjunct Professor in Sociology at Oakland Community College  in Auburn Hills, Michigan and Macomb Community College in Clinton Twp, Michigan. She teaches Intro classes as well as the Sociology of Sex Roles, Modern Social Problems, Race & Ethnicity and Marriage and Family. Kathleen is probably best known as the Founder & Director of  Stitches Women’s Initiatives, an organization that offers doll making  workshops for women living with HIV infection and other health/life challenges. Stitches also provides a traveling exhibit of completed dolls to educate the larger community around issues of risk, stigma, and discrimination. For more info: www.stitchesdollproject.org  

On Sunday October 21st we will be speaking with Sarah and Sophie Denis-Johnston on, the daughters of Rebecca Denison. Sophie and Sarah Denison-Johnston were born at San Francisco General Hospital in March of 1996. Their mother, Rebecca Denison, founder of WORLD (Women Organized to Respond to Life-threatening Diseases) participated in the phase 1 trial of nevirapine that led to our negative status. Their mother wrote an article about her decision here: http://www.thebody.com/content/art12663.html  Sophie and Sarah feel so honored to have been a part of this monumental step in approaching an AIDS free generation in that they know it's possible to stop mother-daughter transmission of HIV. Their only question is why should we be called fortunate. It's their hope that in the future having access to these types of drugs isn't a privilege. It should be accessible to everyone, no matter who and where they are.

On Sunday October 14th at 9pm EST we will be speaking with Rebecca Denison  the Founder of WORLD (Women Organized to Respond to Life-threatening Diseeases). Rebecca is an Oakland-based information, support and advocacy network for HIV-positive women and their loved ones. In 1990, a month before she was scheduled to begin law school, Rebecca was diagnosed with HIV. In 1991, with support from her husband Daniel, Rebecca started the WORLD newsletter in her living room with a mailing list of 200. Six months later WORLD held their first retreat for HIV+ women, and a year later Rebecca helped start the International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS.  In 1995, Rebecca and Daniel decided to become parents, and in March 1996 their twin girls, Sophia and Sarah were born, both HIV-free. . Her children are now 16 years old and thriving, having recently attended the International AIDS Conference in Washington DC, while she stayed home to work in Oakland. Her husband remains HIV-negative. She has been living with HIV for 29 years.

On Sunday September  30th at 9pm EST Danielle Rogers aka “Mama D” will be sharing what it is like to be a parent of an HIV+ child. Danielle embraced the “learning how to make lemonade from lemons” mentality very early in life. As a child she endured a turbulent household and parental instability which meant little encouragement; while emotional abuse defined her daily life. She therefore, developed an inferiority complex and a sense of worthlessness. As an adult she conceded estrangement from her adult child (Jamar Rogers) who suffered through the self-destructive pain of a six year drug addiction and reckless living. He ultimately contracted HIV. Her son, Jamar Rogers was a recent contestant on The Voice and publicly broke down barriers of stigma by revealing his HIV status on national television. Danielle supported him by showing unconditional love through out his reign on the show. Danielle is an inspirational speaker, writer, mentor, parent-coach and motivator. However, her greatest love and achievement to date, is her cherished role as the mother of two vivacious, gifted, well-respected adult children and “GrandDiva” to two little princesses! We will be taking your questions for Danielle at 347-215-9442 throughout the show.  

Timothy Ray Brown is returning to POZ I AM Radio to talk about the Timothy Ray Brown Foundation the world’s first AIDS foundation devoted exclusively to finding a cure for the disease Timothy Ray Brown is “The Berlin patient”, the man who once had HIV. Although American, he was living in Berlin and receiving treatment for HIV when he was diagnosed in 2006 with leukemia. He was treated by Dr Gero Huetter who had a cutting-edge idea of treating his leukemia with a stem cell transplant from a person who was born immune to HIV infection. The rest is medical history. Timothy is recognized by international researchers as the first and only documented case of a person being cured of HIV. Now, almost 20 years after he was diagnosed, the 45-year-old is, essentially, cured. He now lives in San Francisco and since he decided to out himself as the person who had been known only as “The Berlin Patient”, he has become a bit of a celebrity at various AIDS functions. His most important goal is to assist in making his cure provide an impetus for creating a universal cure for HIV which will be accessible and available to everyone regardless of their economic means or background. He believes that this is one of the most important challenges to medical scientists of our time. He is counting on your support in assisting the achievement of this goal.

Each day across the globe almost 7,000 people, including 900 children, will contract HIV, joining an estimated 34.2 million people already living with HIV. During any 24 hours more than 4,600 people around the world will die of an AIDS-related cause.But on one day, Friday, September 21, people everywhere, both HIV positive and negative, can share an image of coping and care through the lens of a camera. On that day, Positively Aware (www.positivelyaware.com), is asking people to take a digital photograph to record a moment of their day that will focus the world’s attention on the daily trials and triumphs of people living with HIV. For the third year A Day with HIV (www.adaywithhiv.com) will help remove the stigma of HIV and to advance an international community of care through this collective photographic portrait. On Friday, September 21 anyone can record a special image, a time with friends and family, at work or play, or any moment in the day that helps people better understand how HIV impacts people, loved ones, colleagues and communities. Photos need to be submitted by Tuesday, September 25 on the A Day with HIV web site. People can follow A Day with HIV’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ADayWithHIV)) or on Twitter @A_Day_With_HIV (https://twitter.com/a_day_with_hiv to see updates and selected photographs, and to share the site and its vision with friends to help spread the word.

 Devarah 'Dee' Borrego is a 28-year-old, HIV+ transwoman originally from Denver, Colorado, who grew up mostly in suburban Connecticut. She acquired HIV at age 20; the same year as she began her transition. She has been living in the Boston area since 2004 where she has worked with and at a number of different community organizations in the Boston area, including JRI Health, TransCEND, the Boston Living Center and Cambridge Cares About AIDS. She's also a polyglot who speaks Spanish, French, Norwegian, American Sign Language, and a variety of other languages to various degrees. On the national scene, Dee was also a founding member of the US Positive Women’s Network (US PWN), an organization led by and for HIV+ American women to address the way HIV disproportionately affects women in the US. She currently serves as a Steering Committee member of the US PWN, as well as a member of their Strategic Communications Action Team. She's also a member of the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+) North America's Young Leaders Caucus, and the co-chair of the Economic Justice Working Group for the HIV Prevention Justice Alliance (HIV PJA). In 2010, Dee was chosen to speak at the Opening Plenary of the US Conference on AIDS (USCA) to discuss how HIV affects transgender youth. Dee attended the International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC during the summer of 2012. At the Conference, she gave presentations along with colleagues for AIDS Alliance for Youth, Families, and Children - now a part of AIDS United - geared at HIV+ youth and their providers on the topic of disclosure. Dee is passionate about the issues surrounding young, HIV+ people, especially transgender women, HIV prevention, HIV criminalization, and youth outreach and education around HIV.

The founder of The Stigma Project Chris Richey and Scott McPherson will join the POZ I AM Radio Hosts. The Stigma Project is an up and coming grassroots organization that aims to lower the HIV infection rate and neutralize the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS through education and awareness via social media and advertising. The Stigma Project seeks to create an HIV neutral world, free of judgement and fear by working with both positive and negative individuals from all walks of life, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, race, or background. Social media has rapidly become one of today's largest mediums of news, culture, and education. They hope to embrace that with effective campaigns each season that bring awareness to the current state of HIV.

 Dab Garner and William Herndon will be sitting in with the POZ I AM Radio hosts to discuss some hot topics and about his recent Teddy Bear Touchdown fundraiser featuring HIV+ Escape Artist Daniel Bauer - Beyond Belief Call in with questions and comments at 347-215-9442  

Christopher Barnhill is an award-winning HIV/AIDS activist and Founder/CEO of POZitive Impact, LLC. At 16 he discovered that he was infected at birth with HIV, which inspired him to dedicate his life to promote the awareness of knowing one’s status. For the past 8 years he has been speaking publicly about being positive and has been featured on numerous media outlets such as NPR, BET's 106 & Park, LOGO, MTV, ABC Nightline, Black Enterprise Magazine, and profiled in the book “Travels of a Gay Nation” by Phil Gambone. His goal is to be the hope for other young HIV-positive people, by demonstrating that you can live a productive life. In addition to his many accomplishments, he also has worked on the Obama Administration’s National HIV Strategy in regards to HIV and Youth and a licensed youth minister for The Community Church of Washington DC 2012 has been a wonderful year for Christopher as he was the National Spokesmodel for The National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Organization (NBHAAD), featured in the International AIDS Society Documentary "Passing the Torch", and received "The Next Generation Award" from Metro Weekly. Call the show with your questions at 347-215-9442  

On Sunday August 5th at 9pm EST Maria Mejia will be talking with Robert & Jeromy on the POZ I AM Radio Show. Maria Mejia is a a 39-year-old Colombian female who lives in Miami, Florida. She has been positive for 20 years. Although almost all my life she has been in long-term relationships with HIV-negative men,She is happily married to a woman who is wonderful and caring. We have been together almost three years and she is HIV negative. Maria is a activist, a peer educator, a caregiver. She volunteered for the Red Cross in education for the Hispanic HIV community and also the American community. She was a pre- and post-test counselor. She has spoke at many conferences and done a lot of outreach in the community, especially in the schools for prevention and education. It is part of her everyday life to educate everyone she can on this subject. Maria also blogs for TheBody.com - Check out her blog here " Being HIV positive is nothing to be ashamed about! We are strong women, and we will take away all the stigmas slowly but we have to open up." - Maria Mejia

This past week Robert and Jeromy attended the International AIDS Conference in Washington D.C. During tonights live show they will be sharing what it was like attending the conference and meeting people from around the world who were either living with HIV or working to end HIV. Our special guest is the amazing Aaron Laxton If you attended the IAC  we want you to call into the show at 347-215-9442 and share what your expereince was like.  

During tonight's show Robert and Jeromy will be broadcasting live from the International AIDS Conference in Washington DC. The Official Sucessor to Harry Houdini Daniel Bauer will be sitting in to share about his World Wide Debut of "Beyond Belief " that will be happening on Thursday evening as a part of AIDS 2012 Reunion and sponsored by Just Get Tested. Dr Salko will be  joining the host live to talk about Just Get Tested. JustGetTested.com is a safe place to find out what you need to know when it comes to HIV and STDs.  

During tonighs show Robert and Jeromy will be broadcasting live from the International AIDS Conference in Washington DC. Mondo Guerra  will be sittng in with the POZ I AM Radio Show hosts to dicuss his new projects and life after winning Project Runway All Stars.

POZ I AM Radio will be Broadcasting live from Washington D.C. right after the march on washington and a few hours before the opening ceromonies of the International AIDS Conference. Call in and share what you hope to get out the conference ? 347-215-9442

David Purdy is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of World AIDS Institute. David has dedicated the past 23 years to the education and destigmatization of AIDS to create an acute awareness of this growing problem facing the globe. Successfully battling his own fight with HIV, David has continued to champion for new science and technology that can one day lead to the eradication of this disease. Dave will be sharing his story and speaking about AIDS 2012 Reunion that will be taking place in Washington DC this July. AIDS 2012 Reunion is the one-stop resource for community events before, during and after the XIX International AIDS Conference (Washington, DC, July 20-28); for persons living with HIV and AIDS, the LGBTQ community and the general public.

Timothy Ray Brown is “The Berlin patient”, the man who once had HIV. Although American, he was living in Berlin and receiving treatment for HIV when he was diagnosed in 2006 with leukemia. He was treated by Dr Gero Huetter who had a cutting-edge idea of treating his leukemia with a stem cell transplant from a person who was born immune to HIV infection. The rest is medical history. Timothy is recognized by international researchers as the first and only documented case of a person being cured of HIV. Now, almost 20 years after he was diagnosed, the 45-year-old is, essentially, cured. He now lives in San Francisco and since he decided to out himself as the person who had been known only as “The Berlin Patient”, he has become a bit of a celebrity at various AIDS functions. His most important goal is to assist in making his cure provide an impetus for creating a universal cure for HIV which will be accessible and available to everyone regardless of their economic means or background. He believes that this is one of the most important challenges to medical scientists of our time. He is counting on your support in assisting the achievement of this goal.

Infected with HIV as a child through the contaminated blood products used to treat his hemophilia, Shawn learned early in life about discrimination. Within a month of testing positive for the virus, he was kicked out of the 6th grade. By all accounts, he wasn’t expected to live five years. After beating the odds and graduating from high school, Shawn opened up about his life, creating one of the first “poz blogs” in 1996 describing his life as a then twenty-year old dating with HIV. He penned a column for Poz Magazine, entitled “Positoid”, and his first book, My Pet Virus: The True Story of a Rebel Without a Cure, was published by the Penguin Group in 2006. He tours the United States with his wife partner, Gwenn Barringer, discussing sexual health and HIV issues and also fronts his band, Synthetic Division, giving out ONE Condoms at their live shows.

Nick Rhoades was convicted of “Criminal Transmission of HIV” in Iowa in 2008, even though his viral load was undetectable, he wore a condom and his accuser did not contract HIV. He was sentenced to 25years in prison and lifetime sex offender registration. After a year of total incarceration, the judge reconsidered Nick’s sentence and released him on five years probation, as well as the sex offender registration requirement. His case for post-conviction relief is still ongoing. Today he works as an Outreach and Event Specialist with The Center for HIV Law and Policy’s Positive Justice Project, which combats HIV criminalization. He spoke in Geneva, Switzerland, about HIV criminalization at the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board’s meeting in December, 2011, and as part of a panel discussion organized by the UN Human Rights Council meeting in March, 2012.  Rhoades has also volunteered with the Community HIV/Hepatitis Advocates of Iowa Network(CHAIN), Iowa Community Planning Group, Positive Iowans Taking Charge (PITCH)and as a board member with Community AIDS Assistance Project, in Waterloo, Iowa. Watch HIV is Not a Crim Trailer.

On Father's Day Sunday June 17th POZ I AM radio will be speaking with Michael Kearns a HIV+ Father. Michael Kearns is an American actor, Author, director, teacher, producer, and activist. Long before coming out of the closet was considered a career move in the entertainment industry, Kearns was the first Hollywood actor on record to come out in the mid-seventies, amidst a shocking amount of homophobia. He subsequently made television history 1991 announcing on Entertainment Tonight that he was HIV positive. In 1992, as an openly HIV+ actor, Kearns starred in a segment of ABC's  Life Goes On in which he played a character who had the HIV virus. He also played Cleve Jones in the HBO adaptation of Randy Shilts' And the Band Played On, appeared in A Mother's Prayer, It's My Party and had a recurring role on Beverly Hills, 90210. Other television and film credits include Cheers, Murder, She Wrote, The Waltons, L.A. Tool & Die, Knots Landing, General Hospital, Days of our Lives, and Brian De Palma's Body Double. In 1995, Kearns began proceedings that resulted in his adoption in 1997 of a child. He presently lives in Los Angeles with his daughter who turned seventeen in August 2011. Kearns will be sharing about his new book  “The Truth is Bad Enough: What Became of the Happy Hustler” (now available on Amazon) and what it is like to be an HIV+ Father.

Michael Lloyd an outspoken young man, from Orlando, Florida, seems too young to be such a regarded leader when it comes to HIV/AIDS in the Orlando, and central florida area. For the past two and a half years and not only has he been an inspiration to others by fund raising for Hope and Help, a local HIV service organization but also through the efforts to share his story of his struggle after being diagnosed with HIV, on January 26, 2010. He simply presents himself as a confident man with the desire to improve the lives of all those dealing with the struggle of HIV. Michaels own struggle wasn't the easiest although after hard work, tough love, and a very strong support group, Lloyd says that he accounts everything to God and his family. "If it wasn't for them I'd have to say I wouldn't really be here today" Michaels battle with methamphetamine as a cloud to cover the inability to accept himself with HIV is the reason he's on the show today, it his mission to be an example to other gay men his age that they don't have to fall in step with the societal norm the gay community has set. 

Kevin Maloney, founder of Rise up to HIV. In March 2010, Kevin learned he had contracted HIV, and one month later with follow up labs was told he has also contracted Hepatitis C. Kevin was not an intravenous drug user. The hepatitis C piggy backed onto the HIV virus. Kevin was seroconverting at the time he found out of his HIV diagnosis, and fortunately caught his hepatitis C early too. That diagnosis was his rock bottom. He had been dealing with an addiction, and these diagnoses gave him reason to pause and reflect on his life. He set in motion a series of action plans to combat his HIV, his addiction, and his Hepatitis C. With treatment, Kevin cured hepatitis C. During the past 2 years he was laid off from his job in NYC, and his mother is currently connected to a respirator, it’s been 7 months now. He’s taken a job in Washington, DC where he has been the past 4 months working for a non-profit that advocates for people living with HIV/AIDS. It’s been a whirlwind of 2 years, but in hindsight he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Ryan Wilcox is a 50-year-old Denverite, who was born in Greeley and raised on a dairy farm in Ca on City. In 1979, he contracted HIV/AIDS before there even was the diagnosis of AIDS. Doctors initially diagnosed him with Cyclo Mega Virus (which was essentially an umbrella term to describe many viruses the doctors could not at the time identify). In 1981 his illness became GRID (Gay Related Immune Deficiency) and finally in 1984 he received the official prognosis of AIDS. Ryan has been living with AIDS for almost 31 one years, being one of the first to experience the struggles and stigmas that come with the disease. After losing his partner of many in years in 1989 due to AIDS, Ryan started a slow decline into depression and failing health. By 2006, Ryan was walking with a cane and his weight had fallen to 97 pounds. It was in 2006 that Ryan had first heard of the Gay Games, when he was invited by friends to participate and "flag" for the opening ceremonies in Chicago. Due to his health, he was not able to attend.. After learning about the Gay Games, Ryan was inspired to change his life. He wanted to participate in the 2010 Gay Games. He then returned to his childhood passion and sport of figure skating, which his grandmother had him involved in as a child in Colorado Springs. Ryan enrolled in a "Learn To Skate" program at Big Bear Ice Arena in Denver and also began taking private lessons. Slowly his strength and articulation came back to him. At the time, He didn't know how he would get there (Germany) but that was his dream,. That is how Ryan's dream started but it has transformed into something else entirely. Ryan's dream is far from over as he is now in the process of trying to raise money to send himself and his skating coach to Germany in August. Being on disability for so many years has prevented Ryan from being able to work a normal job because he would lose his health care benefits.

Timid and soft spoken off stage, Mary Bowman is known to be fearless as she shares her story with audiences around the Washington Metropolitan area. She is the published author of National Underground Spoken Word Poetry Awards 2011 Book Of The Year Lotus. She is also nominated for National Poetry Awards "Poetry Author of The Year" 2011. Mary has been writing poetry for about 8 years. She has been featured at Busboys & Poets (all locations), The Legendary 'Spit Dat' open mic (DC), Jus Words (Philadelphia, PA), Slam Charlotte (NC) and a host of other community events and venues on the East Coast. In the March 2011 'AIDS Issue' Street Sense, a local newspaper published a 3 page article about Mary. "Be The Change You Wish To See In The World" is a quote that she lives by, organizing community events to raise money for HIV/AIDS awareness, facilitating support groups for HIV positive youth, and sharing her personal experiences being born HIV Positive through the art of spoken word. Through poetry she will continue serving selflessly, starting a Non-Profit Organization centered around support for individuals living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.  Purpose Over Entertainment (P.O.E.T.) is dedicated to using social media, visual and performing arts to foster holistic conversations regarding those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in the Greater Washington, DC area in an effort to eliminate the stigmas surrounding HIV/AIDS and individuals living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. P.O.E.T. is filimg a documentary entitled "I Know What HIV Looks Like"!!! Essentially the film will be comprised of interviews of random individuals, people living with and those affected by HIV/AIDS, and my story.

Marvelyn Brown, a 27-year-old native Tennessean, learned she was HIV-positive at age 19. Her autobiography, The Naked Truth: Young, Beautiful and (HIV) Positive, was published by Amistad/HarperCollins in 2008. Her humanitarian work earned her a 2007 Emmy Award for Outstanding National PSA, BET’s Rap It Up campaign named Brown one of the 25 "HEROES" in the HIV/AIDS epidemic, in 2009 she won the Do Something Award which resulted in her face and story on the back of millions of Nacho Cheese Doritos bags nationwide, and in 2010, she was inducted into The Heroes In The Struggle Photo Exhibit by The Magic Johnson Foundation and The Black AIDS Institute. Most recently she was named a Modern Day Black History month hero by BET and was honored by the New Jersey NETS as part of their Black History Month honoring influential people initiative. Brown has also appeared on CNN's Black in America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, America’s Next Top Model, America’s Best Dance Crew, CBS’s The Early Show, numerous BET’s Rap It Up episodes and MTV’s programming. She has also appeared on the Tavis Smiley Show, the Tom Joyner Morning Show, the Michael Baisden Show, Steve Wilko’s Show, as well as the Tyra Banks Show. Articles including her story have appeared in Newsweek, U.S. News and Report, Fortune 500, Ebony, Black Beat and ESSENCE magazine. Brown has also had a tremendous affect on print in the United Kingdom with feature stories in Cosmopolitan, Pride and Fabulous Magazine. Brown has also graced the covers A&U, POZ and The Ave. She is currently the CEO and an Independent HIV Consultant for, Marvelous Connections, which she founded in 2006. Brown now has an online boutique called, MARVSPIRATIONAL, with some of her own inspirational quotes, and she is a proud ambassador for the Greater Than AIDS Campaign.

Robert Suttle was convicted under Louisiana’s HIV-specific criminal statute after accepting a plea bargain and served six months in a Louisiana prison for HIV non-disclosure to a former partner, with whom he had a contentious relationship. Upon his release in January 2011, he has become engaged in anti-criminalization advocacy work. Today he is now assistant director of The SERO Project, a new nonprofit initiative combating HIV criminalization, stigma, and discrimination, promoting the empowerment of people with HIV, providing support to those charged or at risk of being prosecuted. Prior to joining, SERO in March 2012, Suttle was a case manager and prevention specialist at the Philadelphia Center, a local AIDS service organization in Shreveport, Louisiana, working with other positive young African American men who have sex with men. Robert is also featured in the documentary film HIV is Not A Crime, has traveled abroad to Geneva, Switzerland to speak at the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board’s meeting in December, 2011, and Oslo, Norway for UNAIDS High Level Consultation on HIV criminalization in February, 2012, sharing his story. Robert is active with the Positive Justice Project and the HIV Justice Network. 

This Friday May 4th at 12pm EST the POZ I AM Radio show hosts Robert Breining and Jack Mackenroth will be speaking with Jamar Rogers about his time as a contestant on The Voice. We also want to encourage all of Jamars Family (He calls his fans his family) to call into  the live show at 347-215-9442 and share their feelings about Jamars journey.  You can also tweet us @POZIAM with your questions for Jamar. We may ask them on air.  This past Tuesday brought the end of the road for four contestants on The Voice, none more shocking to us than our friend Jamar Rogers. With only eight singers left in the competition heading into the elimination Tuesday , Jamar faced teammate Juliet Simms in a battle to represent Team Cee Lo in the finals. Cee Lo gave 60 points to Juliet Simms and 40 ponts to Jamar Rogers.When combined with America's vote, the final result of 121-79 in favor of Juliet. So our friend Jamar may not of won the title of the The Voice but he definitely won the hearts of America. Listen to our first interview with Jamar after disclosing his HIV status on The Voice here or read the transcripts of that interview here. 

Jim Geary moved to San Francisco in 1974 and began working as a nurse's aide on an oncology floor. Because of his reputation and ability to provide compassionate interaction and nurturing touch he was frequently assigned to patients who were in the process of dying.During this period Jim also continued his political activism in San Francisco working with Supervisor Harvey Milk and others to defeat the anti-gay Briggs Initiative, which sought to fire all gay and lesbians teachers in the state, as well as non-gay teachers who associated with them. Jim volunteered for Shanti Project in 1978 as an emotional support counselor working with people and loved ones who were facing a life-threatening illness. In a few months he became director of volunteer/client services.In October 1981 he formed what was to be the first support group for individuals with AIDS in the world. When Shanti Project lost its funding in 1982, Jim volunteered to work for no money to keep the organization afloat while he sought funding for the AIDS services that were so desperately needed. Serving as executive director for seven years he oversaw and developed this premier agency into an internationally acclaimed model of AIDS services which included: an emotional support program, practical support program, residential program, San Francisco General Hospital AIDS unit counseling program, AIDS information and referral program and the recreational activities program. He is recognized internationally as a respected trainer on the psychosocial issues of people with AIDS, grief counselor, and leader in the development of AIDS services. Jim has been a resident of Ormond Beach since 1989 where he has continued to provide training and service to local AIDS organizations. Jim shares his life with his lover, Jeff Allen, and their two Pomeranians Jasper and Benji. Learn more :  www.delicatecourage.com 

This past week APril 10th - 13th  Robert Breining and Jeromy Dunn presented at the National Healthy Living Summit  in Dallas Texas. The Summit promotes healthy living for people living with HIV. The new National Healthy Living Expo continues the work of NAPWA’s popular Staying Alive national conferences in a new environment of not just surviving with HIV but living productive and fulfilling lives. If you attended the Healthy Living Summit and want to share your expereince please call 347-215-9442.

Our friend Justin B Terry Smith is introducing the "Write A Letter to HIV Campaign" Many of us that are infected with HIV often do not address HIV. I've decided that we need to whether you are HIV negative or positive; this letter is meant to encourage and empower. If you're infected or affected by HIV, I'm asking that you write a letter and then videotape yourself reading the letter aloud. If you don't want to video tape yourself you can send in a picture of yourself or something that represents you. It helps sometimes to get your feelings out, whether you've been recently diagnosed or have been living with HIV for a long period of time. Justin is asking everyone -- including his fellow bloggers and others that don't have a blog -- to join me in this campaign, You can view my letter to HIV by clicking here for an example of what I'm talking about. Like I stated above if you don't want to make a video you don't have to; a simple letter will suffice. You can also send a picture of yourself. Entries will be posted in a series on the www.body.com which will later on be put on my website www.justinbsmith.com. Send your letters and video embedded code/links to mylettertohiv@gmail.com.  PLEASE JOIN Justin IN EMPOWERING YOURSELVES IN THIS FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS!

Monique D. Howell-Moree, was born in Oklahoma City, Ok. in April 1981. She is a 1999 graduate of Summerville High School and after graduation; Monique enlisted in the United States Army. As a member of the U.S. military, Monique worked as an Administrative Clerk assisting fellow soldiers to ensure that their personnel were maintained accurately and were always up to date. She completed four years of military service and during these four years, she travelled all over the world. During the cycle of her life, Monique has many experiences that have made a dramatic impact on her life today. During a low point in her life, Monique faced an experience that forever changed her life. This experience was in finding out that she was HIV positive. As a result, Monique had to learn how to gain the strength from God necessary for her to walk out of the valley and climb back to the mountaintop. She relied on God to take the pain away, and she began to work in the church that her father Bishop Howell founded, Solid Rock Outreach Ministry. Monique is a new author, with her first book titles "Living inside my skin of Silence", which was released late in August 2010. This book is a leadership and self-reflection testimony. Her story is moving beyond her local community, and is now reaching out to the nation. Monique is also the Founder and CEO of Monique’s Hope for Cure Outreach Services" in Holly Hill, SC where her organization provides assistance to include food, clothing, counseling services, referral services, HIV/AIDS & STD testing, as well as providing outreach health education and promotion services to individuals to help stop the pandemic of HIV/AIDS. 

Amanda Brown was born in Hyannis, Massachusetts. In 1998 at the age of 18, she joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints against her parents wishes, packed up and moved to Utah to attend Brigham Young University. Not long after graduation in 2002 she left the Church , accepted the fact that she was gay and came out of the closet to her friends and family. A few months later she joined the U.S. Army with hopes of attending Medical School on their dime. She was raped nearing the end of Basic Training, tested HIV positive shortly after and was discharged. After being on the patient side of the fence, she decided a career in the medical field would not be in her future. She attended the University of Utah where she earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. In 2005 she succumbed to religious peer pressure that the rape happened because she wasn't living the "right" way. She decided to leave her gayness in the closet and go back to Church where she married a young Mormon man, only to come to her senses a year later and leave both the man and the Church for good. She decided that HIV would not prevent her from doing the things she loves and never has allowed it to get in the way of her ambitious dreams. In 2010 and 2011 she played for the Utah Jynx (a Women's full contact Semi-Pro Football team). If you ask her what her greatest accomplishment in life is... she will proudly say, "I ran a marathon in 2008, it took me six hours... but I did it." She recently has begun the process of adopting a three-year-old little girl, is currently writing a children's book called "The Monster Under My Bed." A story about an 11-year old boy with HIV/AIDS. Aside from maintaining her own website with a personal blog and a free text message service for individuals with questions related to HIV/AIDS, she  volunteers for her local AIDS Foundation.

Dab Garner & Dab the AIDS Bear  will be celebrating 31yrs living with HIV/AIDS. Dab the Aids Bear turned 31 in March. Join us for this special episode of POZ I AM RADIO when we celebrate 31 years of Dab the AIDS Bear. Back in 1981 when Dab 1st had friends starting to die from AIDS, the hospitals wouldn't allow visitors into the patient's room unless you wore protective garments (gowns, masks etc.) because they were afraid of this new disease and were not sure how the virus was passed. Because of this, people were usually close to death and had at least one opportunistic infection when they were diagnosed and hospitalized. You could see even seasoned health care professional recoil in fear and not wanting to touch the patients. Even close friends were hesitant or scared to visit their friends in the hospital. Dab started buying Gund teddy bears and giving them to friends so they wouldn't have to feel so alone, abandoned and afraid. That is how Dab the AIDS Bear Project began, Learn more at www.dabtheaidsbearproject.com   

Josh Robbins didn't know one person. Not even one person that was HIV Positive on Jan.23, 2012. On Jan. 24, 2012, he knew one-- himself. Living in the heart of the bible belt in Nashville, Josh was the poster boy for prevention. (LITERALLY on the poster for the HIV Vaccine Program at Vanderbilt) He was active in the LGBT community raising awareness, funding and talking about prevention of the disease. But although it should have, the message didn't affect him. So he was infected with HIV by a beautiful young man that didn't realizehe was positive. Now less than a month after being told the heart-stopping result of -- "You're HIV Positive" -- Josh started a blog called imstilljosh.com promoting the need to begin dialogue in the South, where an epidemic of new infections are occurring, about prevention and a simple message to break down the stigma attached with HIV in Nashville.  "I'm still Josh. You still be YOU!"

Robert Breining and Jeromy Dunn will be sharing thier expereinces at the Positive Living 15 Conference that takes place in Ft. Walton Beach Florida.. If you attended the PL15 conference call in and share your thoughts on the event at 347-215-9442. 

Sunday February 26th at 9pm EST we will be speaking with Logan Voxx. Logan Voxx is the president and CEO of the PYP foundation based in Los Angeles, CA. He is an award winning songwriter and aspiring music mogul. He is a small retail business owner also. Logan Voxx has been distinguished as a 2011 OUT100 honoree. He has been involved in philanthropy since he was 21 using his success to give back to communities that need it most. He founded PYP Foundation at only 21. The PYP Foundation is dedicated to decreasing the spread of HIV infections by encouraging the nation’s youth to make positive choices. PYP encourages HIV education and prevention to address some of the most intimate aspects of a young persons life during a critical stage of development. PYP believes that HIV prevention is fundamentally about communication, healthy choices, and self-awareness.  

Paul Stalbaum was born and raised in suburban Philadelphia and attended Penn State with a BS in psychology. He went to Villanova law school and discovered after 1 year he hated Torts so he left school to join the family business, a travel agency. Through his and his bother's efforts his Agency grew to be the 11th largest in the country with 7 offices and 175 employees. Paul has been poz for 30 years and remains healthy and asymptomatic. He uses both a western medical approach combined along with alternative methods and maintains a positive attitude towards HIV. In fact while in Philly he became and HIV counsellor and founded what became the most well attended peer led support which he called Positive Attitudes. After selling his business he moved to sunny Ft Lauderdale and was surprised to find that no support group existed in a community with such a large HIV population. So he volunteered to start up a new Positive Attitudes support group at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center. As word spread once again it was overwhelmingly successful with as many as 60 - 70 showing up on any given night. In 2005 he decide to combine his two passions, travel and supporting the HIV community by founding what has become an annual GLBT Poz Cruise. The cruise grows larger each year with many who have attend virtually every year. The cruise offers an opportunity to participate in a relaxing and affordable vacation while having the chance to attend workshops led by HIV experts such as Nelson Vergel, Dr. Michael Wohlfieler, Dr Charles Steinberg, and Mark King.  

this Sunday February 12th at 9pm EST we will be speaking with Jamar Rogers, an HIV positive contestant on the 2nd season of The Voice. A recovering drug addict, Jamar Rogers is an inspiration to all. Although he hit rock bottom at one point, Jamar is HIV+ and has been sober for six years and has turned his life around. Through his soulful tunes, this charmer from the Bronx, NY is determined to show everyone his life is back on track, and to prove to the world that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.

This Sunday February 5th at 9pm EST Robert will be speaking with Olympic Gold Medalist Greg Louganis. Openly gay and HIV-positive Olympic diving legend Greg Louganis wants to show off his moves on ABC’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ next season. Louganis fans have created a Facebook campaign to ABC to extend an invitation to Louganis, and the campaign is getting some attention. Greg is a five time World Champion and holds 47 National Championship titles. At the Pan Am Games, he earned six Gold Medals, and in 1985, he was awarded the Sullivan Award as the “Nation’s most outstanding amateur athlete.”However, what most people remember about Greg is that he went on to win Olympic Gold at the 1988 Games despite striking the back of his head on the springboard during the preliminaries. He attempted a reverse 2½ somersault pike in the ninth round of the prelims, and he hit his head on the board and fell into the water. Thirty-five minutes later, after receiving stitches to his scalp wound, he resumed diving. The following day, he hit all 11 dives and easily won the Olympic Gold Medal. After he tested positive for HIV in 1988,he recounted his story in a best-selling book Breaking the Surface. The book spent five weeks at number one on the New York Times Best Seller list. His story was also documented in the 1996 Showtime movie Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story with Mario Lopez playing the lead and Louganis narrating. Greg has worn many hats, Actor, Dancer, Olympian, Diver, Dog Trainer, Speaker, AIDS Activist, Equality and Diversity Activist, and yes he would love to be on Dancing With The Stars in honor of his Mom’s memory, Frances Louganis, “My Mom would have loved to see me on that show” says Greg.

On Sunday Januaryy 29th at 9pm EST Robert Breining and Scott Kramer will be speaking with Filmmaker & Activist Sean Strub  is a leading voice for the people with HIV self-empowerment movement and is the founder of POZ Magazine. Sean is the senior advisor to the Center for HIV Law & Policy's Positive Justice Project (combating HIV criminalization) and serves on the board of directors of the North American regional affiliate of the Global Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS.   People with HIV who have been subjected to criminalization prosecutions have only rarely been heard from and are typically portrayed in the media as, at best, reckless and, at worst, monstrous. Most hold jobs, raise children, go to church, and are otherwise unremarkably different from others in society, except that they have HIV and were caught up in a profound injustice that often ruins their lives.  HIV Is Not a Crime will bring their stories to light, raise awareness of the public health threats and human rights abuses created by HIV criminalization and help mobilize the advocacy necessary for reform.

  Butch Mckay is currently Executive Director of Okaloosa AIDS Support and Informational Services, Inc. (OASIS), a position he has held since 1996. He founded the Positive Living Conference Series in 1997. Butch has been involved in the AIDS arena for 24 years, starting his career as a volunteer with Birmingham AIDS Outreach and UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) AIDS Clinic and Research Center. He assisted BASIC in Panama City with initial trainings when they became an AIDS Service Organization in the late 80’s and later served as a case manager, case manager supervisor , and director of education for BASIC for a collective total of 5 years.   He served on the planning committee for the White House Summit on HIV and Aging and attended the Presidential Reception for the National AIDS Strategy. He directs the Activate! U Advocacy Academy program that was awarded the ADAP Grassroots Advocacy Campaign of the Year Award by aaa+. Butch was awarded the Florida HIV/AIDS Red Ribbon Excellence Award for Highest Achievement, and under his direction was awarded the one of the Sapphire Awards of Distinction for Community Health Excellence by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida. But the award he values the most was perhaps the most unique, attendees of one of the Positive Living Conferences all signed personal messages on his office door thanking him for opening doors to so many.

On Sunday January 15th at 9pm EST, Greg Halpen will be sharing he story on POZIAM RADIO. Greg is a Self-Mastery Coach and Healer. It was a late summer day in August of 1997 when Greg Halpen went to his follow up HIV test appointment. It was result time. He had met someone new, and thought he would FINALLY get tested. But he wasn’t ready for what was in store for him. The news? He tested positive for HIV. That day felt like the last day of the rest of his life.   You see, the virus didn’t make him sick or devour his immune system. It was his emotional reaction that devoured his soul for the next 12 years. Allowing the idea of being HIV positive consume his life, his dreams…he didn’t know realize it, but he lived everyday as though he was going to die. Then he awakened. After some pretty intense soul-searching, he began to realize that August day in 1997, was the FIRST day of the rest of his life. Even though he would like to see a cure in his lifetime, and end taking the medication, he views being HIV as a gift… Visit Greg's website at www.greghalpen.com 

Raised in South Jamaica, New York, Reverend Ingram graduated from Francis Lewis High School and went on to serve 7 years of active duty in the Army. She would later move to the South Bronx, where she attended Transfiguration Lutheran Church with Pastor Heidi Neumark as her pastor, and mentor; empowering her to rise up out of herself and her life challenges, which seemed to her, at the time, as insurmountable. Reverend Ingram is a graduate of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, with a Master of Divinity. She has been the pastor of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church on Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia Pa, for the past four years. Reverend Ingram has become a strong advocate for those living in the margins, as she once was. She is an activist in the HIV/AIDS arena: herself living openly and unabashedly with the HIV virus for over 22+ years. Reverend Ingram can frequently be found speaking about HIV/AIDS, empowering others to live abundantly through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ: life without shame, confronting the stigma, and breaking through the silence; encouraging everyone: "to know your status, get tested, and be informed". Silence = death.

Bishop Joyce Turner Keller has lofted the term “southern hospitality” to an entirely new level. She is not only the founder and CEO of Aspirations, a non-profit faith-based community service organization, but someone who is living with HIV/AIDS herself, and has dedicated herself to educating, supporting and inspiring others living with HIV/AIDS throughout the nation.  In May 2006 she received proclamation from Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco of Louisiana for hosting the first Hepatitis Awareness Day, shortly after hosting the first National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in March of that year. Over the years, Bishop Joyce has incurred an extensive list of certifications, recognitions, and awards for her extensive work in community awareness and development in the HIV/AIDS arena.  She is a certified HIV/AIDS – Hepatitis C Community Educator by the Louisiana State Office of Public Health and the Shreveport Office of Public Health through the Atlanta Center for Disease Control.  She has been an ordained minister for thirty five years, is matriculating in the field of Psychology at Southern University Baton Rouge, and is the proud grandmother of thirteen grandchildren

Aaron Stella was raised in Augusta, GA and Cullman, AL. After moving to Philadelphia when he was 19-years-old, he attended Temple university and Graduated with a Degree in English and Business. After college, he became a journalist and wrote for several publications in Philadelphia; and, on July 1st, 2010,  he was diagnosed with HIV just days after he commenced preparations to open his own publication called Philly Broadcaster. Now, Aaron lives in Nashville with his boyfriend and is the webmaster and ad writer for a company called Two Old Hippies. 

    Bob Skinner is a 61 year old young man, at 25 he moved to San Francisco where his life revolved around the gay life style that SF had to offer. He calls them his three D years;Drugs, Drink and Disco.  He moved back to Florida in 1980 where he pursued his love of horses and became a successful professional horse trainer.  Around 1998 he started to have health issues, night sweats, shingles, thrush, yellow nail syndrome, yes these were all symptoms of HIV infection, did he know this?  No, or just maybe he didn’t want to know what these meant and how high risk he really was.  In 2000 he had finally had his first HIV test, it was on his 50th Birthday, when he got the results of his test, he heard three words that would change his life forever " YOU HAVE AIDS " Bob is not your normal person, he was relieved even when he was told he had 6 months to live. 11 years after his diagnosis of death within 6 months, he is healthier and happier than ever before.  Bob’s life is now devoted to the cause, pretty much 24/7.   He is now an HIV/AIDS Community Health Educator where he speaks at community events to our local schools and local colleges. He is also the President and CEO of Valley AIDS Information Network Inc. a small ASO in Corvallis Oregon.  He is also the first regional director for the board of directors for HIV Alliance in Eugene Oregon.  He is a Master Trainer with the “PSMP” Positive Self-Management Program. He feels he has been given a second chance, and as a result he has dealt with his addictions, he has been clean and sober since his diagnosis, and he says he has found love and he loves where he is at, both in body and mind and soul. 

Robert Breining  and Jeromy Dunn will be honoring those that have lost their battle to HIV/AIDS on thie World AIDS Day show. We are encouraging listeners to call in and share names and memories of their family and friends. Call the show at 347-215-9442 to remember your loved one on air.

Robert and Jack will be dicuss  coming out as someone living with HIV/AIDS and all tha tgoes with telling others you are HIV positive. Call in and share your experience with"telli your partner,parents,family,friend or boss. 347-215-9442 Jeff Berry will  also be coming on POZIAM RADIO to speak about the photos that were submitted for this years A Day With HIV in America. Jeff Berry is the editor of Positively Aware, an AIDS advocate, HIV+ for 20+ years and a member of the AIDS Treatment Activists Coalition & Fair Pricing Coalition. Positively Aware published a few photos in their magazine and all of them on the website at www.adaywithhivinamerica.com    

PositivelyFrisky.com is an invite-only site that gives a fun and lighthearted community forum to those living with HIV. It strives to create a stigma-free environment and build a strong community of those who may have been struggling with their status in the gay community as a whole. PositivelyFrisky.com will virtually unite the millions of HIV-positive men, women, and their friends across the English-speaking world. Members can interact through live chat and rich web messaging, enjoy a multiple-photo upload function, and create profiles that are protected from standard Internet search engines, adding yet another unique level of privacy for members. The forum will also only be accessible by members personally inviting other members, or from an invite from their trusted physician.

Aaron Laxton is a 32 y/o graduate student from St. Louis Missouri with a passion to help others. On June 6, 2011 he got news that would forever change his life, he was HIV positive. Aaron prior to this was a national youth speaker that spoke all over the United States. It was looked into the face of this diagnosis that he knew what he had to do. Almost instantly Aaron started to blog each day about his journey with HIV and now has quite a following from around the world on YOUTUBE. Aaron also works locally in St. Louis, Missouri to educate others about HIV as well as letting his story help others. Aaron is currently in school for his Masters of Social Work and he plans on specializing to work with HIV/AIDS outreach and education. This week an interview featuring Aaron is being released on positivelite.com.Additionally Aaron is also in the midst of raising over 20,000 dollars for teh AIDS Lifecycle in which he will ride next summer. The Aids Lifecycle is a 545 mile bike ride over 7 days from San Francisco to LA. Visit Aaron Youtube Channel My HIV Journey

  Chris Vucetic is a 25 year old male, who has been diagnose with HIV since September 17, 2008 five days before his 22nd birthday. He had struggled with it from the moment he left that doctors office. He knew nothing about HIV except just the negative things. The toughest decision for him to make was to discuss his diagnosis with his family. That being his mother and brother. This was not with fear they would shut him out or be upset with him, but the fact his father had taken his life in front of his mother May 2007. He waited 2 weeks to tell his family, and when he did his mother cried a little but said she would be by his side no matter what.   As of January 2010, he is the youngest person ever to be appointed as a board member at FACT Bucks County, a non-profit organization whose efforts are to raise awareness, and raise money that goes to assist those in need the are affected and infected with HIV/AIDS. He hopes his story reached people young and older, newly diagnosed, diagnosed for years, and those struggling with their status, and show that he did it and they can and will too. Life is a fabulous thing and show them that his success story accepting his status and you too can have that. He has always wanted to write a book to raise awareness, and help others struggling with life being HIV+ showing them he's done it and you can and will too!  He is grateful for the support team he has, family and friends, and if it wasn't for them he wouldn't be where he is today.

Daniel Bauer is the official successor to the legendary Harry Houdini, and was on the climb to becoming one of the world’s most successful magicians and escape artists since the Houdini era. He has appeared on NBC, FOX and WB networks; commanded stages across the globe at sold out venues and has appeared on the cover of many magazines and is most popularly described as "one of the most soul piercing performers of our time" by HX Magazine. In 2002, while preparing for a second world tour, backed by a multi-million dollar brand, Daniel learned he was HIV positive from a required ‘insurance’ policy medical check. This news became the back-bone of the sponsoring company to pull out, claiming the show had now become a liability.   Daniel presents his newest speaking program, BLUNT where he shares the intimate details of what happened to him back in 2002, the discrimination he faced and how life is today. Daniel will discuss the deep dark places he allowed himself to enter such as substance abuse, near fatal suicide attempt and more. Audiences / Listeners will have the opportunity to ask Daniel any questions about his life. Everything is on the table for discussion and he will be blunt (not crude) in his responses about what is really going on in society today. Audiences will be left with a message of hope and courage, he will break down the walls of stigma, and he will educate you on the facts vs. the myths about those living with HIV / AIDS.  www.livingpozitively.com

After her divorce was final in 1996, Betsy Yung began a relationship with a man a few years younger than herself. In 2000 She discovered that he was exploring the transgendered community outside of the relationship. Ultimately, it caused their breakup. Shortly thereafter, Betsy began her most current relationship which came to an end shortly before her diagnosis.  On July 15 of last year Betsy was admitted to the hospital because she couldn't breathe. They didn't diagnose her until they had cut me open and scraped her lungs. When they discovered it was PCP, they tested her and she was given an AIDS diagnosis with 27 CD4 cells. She spent eight days on life support hovering near death.Hindsight being what it is, she realized that she had numerous warning signs over the previous few years... Shingles, thrush, UC and swollen glands. None of her doctors ever even suggested that she get tested. After all, She didn't fit the "at risk" demographic at all.Betsy discloses freely to anyone who expresses any interest and have been surprised by how supportive people can be when you share yourself honestly with them. She also believes that disclosing is a great opportunity for teaching people that anyone can be at risk.

  Ken Howard, MSW, LCSW, is the author of the self-help book, "Self-Empowerment: Have the Life You Want!: How to close the gap between how life is, and how you would like it to be, in important areas of life such as mental health, health, career, finances, family, community, and spirituality, based on his 18 years a licensed psychotherapist and life/business coach."  He has over 19 years experience specializing in gay men and gay male couples.  He is a 21-year survivor of HIV/AIDS and a 10-year survivor of cancer.  He is a psychiatric social worker by training at the University of Southern California (USC) School of Social Work (MSW, '94) and a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA, BA, '87).  He is the former Chair of the Los Angeles County HIV Mental Health Task Force, and wrote the mental health column for A&U (Art & Understanding, America's AIDS magazine) for two years.  He served on the Board of Directors for the Lesbian and Gay Psychotherapy Association of Southern California (LAGPA) for four years. He has published many articles on gay men's mental health, HIV mental health, and is the author of the new self-help book for a general audience, "Self-Empowerment: Have the Life You Want!" (2011).  He maintains a blog at GayTherapyLA.com, and a popular podcast, "Have the Life You Want with Ken Howard, LCSW", on iTunes, Podcast Alley, and Zune.com.  He lives with his husband in West Hollywood, California; where they were part of the 18,000 same-sex couples allowed to marry before the advent of Proposition 8 in November, 2008. 

Jane  is a twenty nine year old woman, mother, college student, HIV activist and advocate, and she is herself positive. Jane has spent the last five years years since she was diagnosed learning what she could about HIV itself, the stigma attached to HIV, and how HIV affects the lives of those living withthe disease in America as well as abroad. After attending her first conference she decided to dedicate as much of her time and energy as possible to being a part of the solution. She has done advocacy campaigning both on the local, state level as well as the national level. Jane is an activist who speaks to educate, as well as by blogging both with written word and with video blogging, utilizing youtube with blogs on several sites including MTV Staying Alive, she participated in an anti-stigma campaign, by being in commercials and on billboards.She currently is employed at Hope's Voice as a speaker for the Does HIV Look Like Me lecture series and she sits on the board for The ADAP Advocacy Association. Janine enjoys to spend as much time possible just being mommy to her four year old son and she believes that it is her privilege and honor to be his mother and to be the activist she has became.

Working in pre-hospital care for ten years, the first thing you ever learn is to expect the unexpected. That statement never held more truth to Donald than it did in the fall of 2005. Donald’s shift ended early because the trauma patient he had later died. Donald was exposed to this patient’s virus…HIV. Every healthcare provider’s worse fear came true that night. That is contracting an infectious disease from their patient. His goal no longer was to be a trauma surgeon. It was now going into Infectious Disease and Epidemiology. He wants to be on the front lines of this pandemic and change the face of HIV every way that he possibly can. Donald has worked with Magic Johnson to discuss healthcare reform, medical mission trips with “Doctors without Borders,” being on the advertisement for Atripla, he is a consultant for Bristol-Myers Squibb about Atripla, for two years he taught the chat portion of an undergraduate class at the University of Central Florida called HIV: A Human Concern. Despite the stigma that HIV carries in the Health Care field, Donald still work as a critical care paramedic. He may be called in by FEMA at any moment, along with his search and rescue dog, Achilles. He does this while pursuing his doctoral degree in Medicine, specializing in Infectious Disease and Epidemiology. He may have HIV, but he spends most of his time working to save the lives of others.

Paul Gallegos is a 42 years old HIV husband and father of 5 HIV negative children. Paul found out about his status in May of 1999. Paul has been married for just over 12 years, They live in Palm Springs, California. Paul is also the founder of The Intersection Project which he wills peak about during his interview.  Paul's courageous and bold activism allows him to put a face to the disease and educate others all at the same time. Tune in LIVE to hear Paul's story and learn more about The Intersection Project.   Follow Paul on Twitter - www.twitter.com/Pauly1999

Jeff Berry, is editor of Positively Aware, an AIDS advocate, HIV+ for 20+ years and a member of the AIDS Treatment Activists Coalition & Fair Pricing Coalition. His latest project is the second annual A Day with HIV in America, which will capture the collective portrait of those living with HIV, to help remove the stigma of HIV and to advance a community of care and support. Positively Aware is inviting people across America to snap a digital photograph at any time over the course of September 21.  Participants can record a portrait, time with friends and family at work or play, or any moment in the day that helps the world better understand life with HIV. Photos are to be submitted by September 26 on the A Day with HIV in America web site.  People can also follow A Day with HIV in America’s Facebook page or on Twitter @A_Day_With_HIV to see updates and selected photographs.  

Larry Estrada was diagnosed with HIV on August 5th 1998. He has volunteered at the Billy De Frank center teaching and educating youth about HIV/AIDS. In 1998 Larry has earned his 13.2 CEU credits with the state of Kansas in August of 2006 after earning his LPN nursing degree from the state of Kansas in 03. He has worked in the Nursing field and HIV/AIDs prevention field in his spare time for numerous years.Has always been an HIV/AIDS advocate teaching Community classes to youth and adults alike since his diagnosis. He Has worked with Hunter Health Clinic and other native organizations around Kansas since he moved to Kansas in 02. Has taken Classes to further his education to help Native and non native youth alike and has Volunteered at Wichita's River View Retreat and helped with Any town USA to help build tolerance and education with the LGBTQI community as well as his Native Community he is an enrolled member of the Anishnabe Nation and speaks his language. Mr Estrada partakes in Native ceremony and holds classes with the native youth, as well as sits a drum and is a drum keeper himself. Has been given the right to be firekeeper through ceremony and is a Native American Traditionalist. H e continues to volunteer his time educating at gatherings and speaking on reservations to elders and youth alike about the Dangers and prevention of HIVAIDS and other STI's as well As hep-c infection. Mr. Estrada currently lives in Wichita KS and plans to move to the Tulsa Oklahoma area in the next year or so. Check out Larry's Blog 

On Sunday September 4th our 4th season of POZIAM radio begins.Robert Breining & Jeromy Dunn will return with an hour of Hot Topics. They will be taking your calls and covering a range of HIV/AIDS related topics - starting meds, finding a doctor, disclosure,depression and finding support to name a few. Call us with your questions at 347-215-9442.

Writer, actor, comedian and children's entertainer, Miracle Mike Hennessey moved to Los Angeles in 1993 from Boston after he was told in August of 1990 that he had potentially 7 to 9 years to live when he was diagnosed with HIV. He thought, “Since I'm going to die anyway, I might as well do it on stage.” And he put together a goofy comedy routine and his healing process began. Once in Los Angeles, he quickly became famous as a children's performer for thousands of families all over Southern California and is known as Mystery Mike. In 1997 after the death of his mother, Ellen Sue, Mike developed full blown AIDS for the first time and his health continued to decline over the years with 13 close calls with the Angel of Death. In 2006 Mike, with only 4 “T-cells” launched the healing website “Mikes T Party” www.MikesTparty.com after being asked by others how they could help. People send in “Ts” from all over the world that represent 'T-cells' (commonly known as CD4) for the immune system. He has collected over 3,000 “Ts” from all walks of life.He has since shared his story of hope many places to encourage others that they too have it within themselves to heal, including on FOX News which can be seen on his channel www.youtube.com/IamMiracleMike.  

  Melissa Baker learned that she was HIV-positive in August 2007, three days before her 28th birthday.  Her diagnosis was a surprise, since She had tested negative for HIV only the year before while in what she thought to be a monogamous relationship. Melissa quickly realized that life does not stop with HIV, and educated herself, her three now teen daughters, and the rest of her family and friends about the disease. Thanks to early diagnosis, She is  healthy today. She recently had a baby girl a year ago -her fourth daughter – who is HIV-negative. She works as aoncology receptionist.  She has chosen to speak out about her HIV status in order to dispel stigma and encourage other women to protect themselves and get tested for HIV. Melissa has volunteered on a committee with her state health department and enjoys working with incarcerated women on another volunteer project to help empower and educate. She has been featured in HIV Positive! magazine and the Southern AIDS Living Quilt video project.

  David Bromstad, host of HGTV’s Color Splash and winner of the first season of HGTV’s Design Star, is teaming up with Janssen Therapeutics to raise awareness of the importance of HIV testing, particularly among gay men, for the Know Yourself: Get HIV Tested initiative. As part of this initiative, David, an accomplished artist and muralist and one of the most celebrated interior design personalities on television today, will be designing and painting a mural that will bring to life the importance of HIV testing and inspire people to take action. David will be hosting an exclusive soiree in September to unveil the mural in conjunction with Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.  When David Bromstad was crowned the original HGTV Design Star in 2006, he was an accomplished artist and muralist and had spent years designing dream bedrooms for children across the Southeast US. Today he is one of the most celebrated interior design personalities on television and the star of his very own design show, Color Splash, on HGTV.  In 2011, he returned to HGTV Design Star as a mentor to the current crop of contestants.  He is the first ever HGTV personality to be named to the OUT Magazine 100 list  In 2011, he was given the prestigious HRC Visibility Award for living an out and proud lifestyle in the public eye. You can visit David online at www.bromstad.com and follow him on Twitter (@bromco)!   

Michelle Anderson was just crowned 2011 Ms. Plus America. Michelle is an African-American woman who has been living for HIV since 1999. She currently resides in Dallas, Texas and is very active in her community as Co-Chair of Campaign to End AIDS Texas , The Afiya Center Peer Educator , Public Speaker , as well as a board member for AIDS Services of Dallas, and ADAP Advocacy Association where she is the Treasurer. Michelle has dedicated much of her personal life to educating others on HIV/AIDS throughout the greater Dallas area and beyond. She plans to finish her degree in Social Work where she will be able to continue to spread the message, and educate people regarding HIV/AIDS. Michelle is has stepped out of the box and is currently Ms. Duncanville Plus America 2010 and 2011. She plans to use her title to become the voice of positive women of color. Michelle has experience as a group facilitator and has attended many conferences where she received training in Advocacy, Project LEAP (Learning, Empowerment, Advocacy, Participation), and Common Threads

Are you newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS ? Do you have questions about living with HIV? This week Robert Breining  and Jeromy Dunn will be focusing on taking your questions through out the entinre show. Call in with your questions or advice fo those who are newly diagnosed. Call in # 347-215-9442

Robert & Jeromy will be discussing the current ADAP Crisis in America including updates on current waiting lists numbers. They will also be sharing whays you can get involved to help end the ADAP Waiting lists. Call in and share your feeling ont he subject at 347-215-9442 or tweet us @poziam

Nelson Vergel is a 25+ year long term HIV survivor. Aided by his chemical engineering degree and obsession for scientific data, he adds his own personal experience as he demystifies many health myths. For the last 20 years, his trial-and-error experience to improve his quality of life has paved the way for others to learn from his knowledge.  Nelson Vergel is a chemical engineer who has become a leading advocate for sports nutrition, supplementation and the promotion of wellness in the HIV-positive community since his positive diagnosis in 1986. He is also the author of "Testosterone: A Man's Guide" and co-author of the book "Built to Survive"; the founder of the nonprofit organizations Body Positive Wellness Clinic and Program for Wellness Restoration  Learn more at www.nelsonvergel.com 

This hour Jeromy Dunn and Scott Kramer will be taking your calls and covering a range of Hot Topics. 

Maria  a 37-year-old Colombian female who lives in Miami, Florida. She has been positive for 20 years. Although almost all her life she has been in long-term relationships with HIV-negative men, She is now happily married to a woman who is wonderful and caring. They have been together almost three years and her partner is HIV negative.  She is an activist, a peer educator, and a caregiver.She has volunteered for the Red Cross in education for the Hispanic HIV community and also the American community..She has spoken at many conferences and done a lot of outreach in the community It is part of her everyday life to educate everyone she can on this subject.    "Being HIV positive is nothing to be ashamed about! We are strong women, and we will take away all the stigmas slowly but shortly"  -Maria

The son of a Southern Baptist Pastor, Rev. Dr. Harvey Carr has been involved with work in the religious community most of his life  Dr. Carr was ordained in 1968, at the age of 19 upon graduation from a small conservative Southern Baptist College in Mississippi. In August 2009, he was granted a Doctor of Humanities by Canterbury for his 24 years of work in service to people infected with and/or affected by HIV/AIDS Having worked with the first Buddy Program in Memphis, Tennessee in 1984, Harvey has been actively involved in the fight since GRID was first diagnosed in the US, working with programs in Memphis, Chicago, and Baltimore prior to moving to Florida. It was while living in Baltimore that he was rushed into exploratory surgery for an undiagnosed ruptured appendix after being told there was a 60/40 chance he would not survive surgery. Blood work prior to surgery showed him to be HIV-. Harvey was been tested every 6 months for many years, always testing negative. At the time of his surgery he had been celibate for several months 6 months after surgery he was placed in a drug-induced coma for PCP, only being told he was then HIV+ and had full-blown AIDS. He had still remained celibate and doctors began an intensive study of his case, concluding he had somehow been infected with blood transfusions administered during and following surgery.   2 years later the director of the local Red Cross was fired for not properly screening blood donations.  Since his diagnosis he has fought a number of crises but refuses to allow AIDS to control his life. He credits his Mom with teaching him to accept whatever comes into his life and make that occurrence work with him in trying to make the world a better place for all humanity.

This Sunday Robert Breining will be taking calls and touch on some hot topics . Call in with your questions at 347-215-9442

Vickie Lynn is a 26 year HIV survivor. She was infected in October of 1985 by her then fiancé. She was diagnosed with AIDS in 1991 and is blessed to have survived the worst times of this pandemic. She has served on the Ryan White Care Council; she helped establish the Sisters in Spirit, a support group for women living with HIV in her community, and has served as a volunteer for various HIV/AIDS Service Organizations and community agencies. She currently works at the University Of South Florida (USF) on a research grant that examines behavioral health interventions for women living with HIV. She earned both her Master’s in Social Work and Master’s in Public Health at USF. Vickie also serves on the HIV/AIDS Consumer Advisor Group for the State of Florida. She has contributed to online blogs, educations sites, and is passionate about working on issues related to HIV/AIDS prevention, human rights and access to health care.

Garlyn Kicklighter was diagnosed HIV+ in 2009 after living 8 years in Atlanta (and all the drugs that came with it) One month after starting his first meds, he noticed his walking became more difficult. Not long after that, standing became impossible. Several doctors told him that he would never walk again. He didn't accept that diagnosis. After starting physical therapy. He took his first five steps and decided that he should document his progress by taking videos. These videos are now part of his website called www.wewalk2win.org This is a about dealing with illnesses with a positive attitude, hope and  determination. Dedicated to those with HIV/AIDS and Walking disabilities

JB Terry-Smith was born and raised right outside of Washington in Montgomery County Maryland. When he was a little boy Terry-Smith can remember writing out stories and articles in elementary school. Story-telling, writing, current events were his favorite subjects. Most recently Terry-Smith had decided that he would write a children’s book about HIV, the book is called, “I have a Secret”. Terry-Smith decided that he would write such a book since one of his many causes is Pediatric AIDS and he himself was diagnosed with HIV in 2005. In the future he plans on writing more books about many subjects as well. There is nothing harder for a child then keeping a secret. In this heart warming tale, a young boy is forced to keep a secret from his friends and schoolmates. The need to tell someone, anyone becomes so great that he almost looses his best friend. Finally, after talking to someone, he is given the chance to share his secret. His life is forever changed, as are those around him. Visit Justin at www.justinbsmith.com

Anthony Polimeni, the founder of My AIDS and Trustee of the National Association of People with AIDS has been a leading activist for HIV/AIDS on Nevada's behalf nationally for over 3 years. Since being diagnosed in 2006, he has been able to help influence the HIV/AIDS epidemic near and far. From his published continuing education course on HIV/AIDS to marching on Capitol Hill; Anthony has been fighting the epidemic not only for himself but those he serves. You may find out more about the organization he started at myaids.org or contact him at anthony.polimeni@myaids.org.

Larry Frampton aka Cowboy Larry  is a 22 year survivor of HIV/AIDS. A long time AIDS Advocate,Co-Chair NE Tennessee Regional Community Planning Group, Certified HIV tester and educator and serves on several HIV/AIDS boards and commissions in Tennessee and nationally. He serves on the board for Strength for the Journey, a spiritual retreat held twice a year for people living with HIV and has been a presenter and counselor for many years. Larry writes a monthly column about HIV/AIDS in a GLBT Magazine in Knoxville,TN.

Tonight join Robert Breining and Jack Mackenroth  as they talka bout HIV/AIDS related issues. (Author of I have a Secret - Justin B. Smith was the guest this evening but had to reschedule.)

In 1991, Cathy Robinson was building a life—as mother, wife and teacher. She had a year-old daughter, and a son on the way. She had just celebrated her 3rd wedding anniversary. She had been teaching subjects she loved—social studies and civics—to high schoolers she wanted to inspire. In all, a life of normalcy and contentment, but a life that would soon become a battle because of a routine life insurance exam. In 1991, Cathy learned that she was HIV positive. As Cathy’s life has taken many twists and turns, the adventure continues. She is now re-married to her best friend Troy and her children have headed off to college. She’s on a new road of educating people using social networking tools and multimedia to get her message as far and wide as she can. Visit Cathy at http://www.straighttalkwithcathy.com

Anthony Johnson is a 16 year survivor of HIV and the creator and organizer of an HIV centric but non-exclusive social group called BOLT (Bringing Our Lives Together). He is also the creator of an HIV Social/Support Network and the co-creator of The Calendar of Gay/Bi Social and Support Groups. The Calendar lists the social and support groups in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties as well as special community events that pertain to the HIV positive gay/bi man with full contact information, addresses, phone numbers, and connects to locator map. The goal of The Calendar is to make support more accessible to the HIV positive individual. Anthony is currently a full-time student in pursuit of a BS in Psychology in order to better serve the community.

Danny Logan is a 24 year old Actor, who recently appeared on ABC's hit show What Would You D0? In the first scene, a hired actress playing the waitress engages in conversation with another actor(Daniel), who is playing a customer who happens to be HIV positive. Daniel has been HIV-positive in real life for the last four years. So this was as real as it gets. In another scene, they had the female actress play the role of the anxious diner to see how people would react. As she informs other diners sitting nearby that Daniel has AIDS, Yet, despite strong evidence that the virus cannot be spread by touch, tears, sweat or saliva, a recent survey shows that more than half of adults questioned say they'd be uncomfortable having their food prepared by someone who is HIV positive. You can watch the full What Would You Do ? Episode at http://www.hulu.com/watch/217711/what-would-you-do-fri-feb-18-2011

Loreen Willenberg, a native Californian, currently resides in Sacramento. In 2007, Ms. Willenberg transitioned from her successful career as the sole proprietor of ‘The Earth Tenders Landscape Design/Build’ company (est 1985) to become an HIV/AIDS Treatment and Vaccine Research Advocate, and to continue her work for the HIV Controller community through the non-profit Zephyr L.T.N.P. Foundation, Inc., founded in 2006. Diagnosed with HIV in 1992, Ms. Willenberg is the retired Chairperson for the (now defunct) Ryan White Consortium, El Dorado/Alpine Counties. She served on the county Ryan White Steering Committee, and was active in the historical El Dorado AIDS Task Force and local support groups until those entities ceased to exist, in 1996. Ms. Willenberg is an internationally acclaimed advocate for the international HIV Controller and Long-Term Nonprogressor community, and is a committed proponent for the development of immune-based therapies, including a therapeutic vaccine for HIV. She continues to travel each year to donate blood, cell and tissue samples to thirteen clinical research studies, speaks publicly to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS issues in the struggle to stem the tide of the epidemic, and promotes the funding for and development of therapeutic vaccines for HIV.

Jeromy's mission is eliminate the stigma that people with HIV/AIDS face, through education, community involvement and the collaboration with local businesses and personal testimony through out the Carolinas and around the world. Jeromy has been cohosting POZIAM Radio for the past 2 1/2 years . Jeromy's unique hosting style brings his quick wit and humor to a cause that not to many people can laugh about. Jeromy shares his personal experiences through his website and Blog. www.pozitivelyspeaking.com For the first time Jeromy will be sharing his own personal story on POZIAM Radio.

As a teenager growing up in the US, at 16 years old George enrolled in the Reserve Officer Training Corps through school. Three days after graduating from high school, George heads off to basic training for the US Marines. Then unexpectedly George received phone call from the US Marine Commander . George immediately thought that this meant he was being called on duty. Once inside, he was asked if he knew why he was there. As he did not, he was told that, as he knew, he had had blood work drawn the last time he was on base. He was told that this blood had been randomized into having a HIV test and that, unfortunately, this test had come back positive. Following his diagnosis, George quickly sunk into depression. He turned to alcohol and drugs and stopped attending classes. He stopped getting out of bed, unless it was to head to the bar. Experiencing the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV first-hand meant that George was motivated to become an AIDS activist and peer educator. George is currently actively involved in the Campaign to End AIDS (C2EA) as the National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning and Intersex Chair in the US.

Sean Strub is a leading voice for the people with HIV self-empowerment movement. He is the founder of POZ Magazine, senior advisor to the Center for HIV Law & Policy's Positive Justice Project (combating HIV criminalization) and serves on the board of directors of the North American regional affiliate of the Global Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS. He has been living with HIV for more than 30 years.

Dab Garner founder of Dab the AIDS Bear Project, will be celebrating 30yrs living with HIV/AIDS on 2/14. and Dab the Aids Bear turns 30 in March. Join us for this special episode of POZIAM RADIO when we celebrate 30 years of Dab the AIDS Bear. Back in 1981 when Dab 1st had friends starting to die from AIDS, the hospitals wouldn't allow visitors into the patient's room unless you wore protective garments (gowns, masks etc.) because they were afraid of this new disease and were not sure how the virus was passed. Because of this, people were usually close to death and had at least one opportunistic infection when they were diagnosed and hospitalized. You could see even seasoned health care professional recoil in fear and not wanting to touch the patients. Even close friends were hesitant or scared to visit their friends in the hospital. Dab started buying Gund teddy bears and giving them to friends so they wouldn't have to feel so alone, abandoned and afraid. That is how Dab the AIDS Bear Project began, Learn more at www.dabtheaidsbearproject.com

Nate Klarfeld is a retired dentist from the Kansas City area now living in Florida. After retiring from dentistry in 1996 with an HIV/AIDS diagnosis he went into teaching biology and sex education in an inner city school. From there he moved to Ft. Lauderdale and became involved in an HIV support group at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center. One of the group leaders, Paul Stalbaum had been organizing hetero POZ cruises for an ASO there and was interested in starting a gay POZ men's cruise. Nate and his partner, Grover Lawlis, MD a psychiatrist from Dallas,TX were asked to co-host the cruise; planning activities, giving lectures and making sure the men were made to feel comfortable. Besides having fun and learning, the cruises have become a 'safe place' for POZ men to meet and relax. The stigmas, stereotypes and drama of gay life seem suspended as soon as we leave shore. Many of our men return year after year renewing friendships and making new ones. www.hivcruise.com www.positivecruise.com

The ADAP Advocacy Association (aaa+) – together with its Lead Sponsor the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) – is hosted an Emergency ADAP Summit on Saturday, January 29th and Sunday, January 30th, 2011. This summit, themed "ADAPs in Crisis: Preparing for 2011" Over 140 people attended the summit and many voiced theirs opinions. Call in and share your experience at the summit and thoughts on ADAP. id the summit accomplish anything ? Tune in LIVE and find out.

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia and graduate of the Grady College of Journalism at the University of Georgia, Tyler began his career as a television news anchor and reporter for Meridian, Mississippi’s WTOK-TV. Outside of advertising he is a published writer, advocate and community force in the ongoing effort to raise awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS. Tyler currently writes a bi-monthly column called “Living the Questions” for The Advocate, which remains one of the online publications most read news features. He has been featured in industry trades, on radio shows and as a guest speaker at area schools. In 2010, AdAge acknowledged Tyler and IMPACT Red, a group he formed working to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS through communications, in its Advertising GoodWorks section.Tyler’s diagnosis with HIV in 2007 and his public disclosure on World AIDS Day in 2009 serve as the catalyst for his advocacy and work for HIV awareness and prevention. Tyler resides fulltime in New York City, New York Learn more at www.impactred.org Visit Tyler's website at http://www.tylerjhelms.com

Danny is a very grateful recovering alcoholic and one of the millions of faces of HIV. He was born in Watertown, NY, lived there until he moved to SW Florida where he still resides. He has been in a monogomous relationship for over 12 years, his partner remains negative. While Danny was in treatment for substance abuse he was asked to speak about living with HIV, and that he did. He continues to speak publicly and is very humble when he receives praise for his story.

Kevin Maloney wasdiagnosed HIV+ on March 3rd, 2010,. Since then Kevin has been advocating and educating the public through his personal blog. It can be found at www.kevincaresusa.blogspot.com . He has recently enrolled back in school to get his Masters degree in Public Health and starts classes in January. Kevin was actually co-infected with HIV and Hepatitis C due to unprotected sex. He has just finished 6 months of Hep C treatments and have erradicated it.

Danny Miller, still looking very rock star at 34 resides in his small hometown of Lusby Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay, about an hour south of Washington DC. After roaming around the country from city to city for 15 years, he is back where he began. Diagnosed with HIV and Hep B in April of 2007, and knocking on deaths door in the winter of 2008, Danny has a new purpose in life. THE EXTINCTION OF IGNORANCE!! Check out Danny's blog at www.positivelite.com

Brandy contracted HIV in 1997 diagnosed in 1999 she became addicted to meth and locked herself away in her "HIV CLOSET" for 6 years. Waking up one day realizing HIV wasnt killing her, the drugs were. checking herself into recovery and going back to college to get a Psychology degree. her goal is to be there for others so no one has to go through this alone.. She believes that one person can make a difference but together we can change the World.

Angelikah Demonikah is a 25 year old HIV activist from Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was recently featured in the documentary “Me, Myself and HIV” for MTV's Staying Alive campaign, which premiered on World AIDS day. She is currently in school pursuing a degree in Social Work.

For the past decade Jenn has been living with HIV. Her pregnancy with her daughter gave her an even bigger reason to try to reach out to others any way she could. Jenn feels her main mission in life is to help others keep their hopes and dreams alive. She also wants to let them know that just because you are diagnosed with HIV doesn't mean your life is over...just different.

Larry is Director for National Organizing of Housing Works, the nation's largest minority controlled HIV & AIDS non profit organization. Larry works to develop and support grassroots advocacy and activist networks which influence politicians and policy that lead to addressing the factors that lead to ending the HIV & AIDS epidemic in the United States and abroad. Diagnosed himself while a freshman football player at Norfolk State University, Larry has a distinct passion that flows far beyond just spreading awareness - actions must be derived through education, purpose, and passion which ultimately and unapologetically lead to measurable outcomes. A native of Washington DC, Larry is an aspiring professional photographer specializing in non-profit photography, essay work, and civil/social justice photojournalism. His shots allows us to see the humanity in art by illustrating the art in humanity - from complex to creative, passionate to passive, the human spirit is featured throughout his work and gives us something far below the surface. Larry, who was recently named one of Poz Magazine's 'The Poz 100' has one son attending college and currently lives in the Historic Capitol Hill neighborhood in NE Washington D.C. Learn more at www.housingworks.org

Jane is a twenty eight year old, HIV postive woman who lives in NY in a community that is still very uneducated and unaware of HIV and the reality that HIV does not stereotype, she uses her story and voice to educate people trying to dispell certain stigma's still attached to HIV/Aids. Jane is an HIV activist and advocate, a single mother to an amazing son, a college student working on her bachelors in clinical laboratory science and planning to get her PhD in bio-engineering to do HIV/Aids research, she is a Dab the Aids Bear Ambassador of Hope, she is a member of the anti stigma committee started by the Nebraska Aids Project as well as a participant of the campaign, and a blogger who's articles are being used by MTV Staying Alive for their World AIDS Day campaign. Jane is currently working on her autobiography, and the launch of S.P.E.A.K. a non-profit project aimed at helping to raise awareness.  

Starting in 2007 while still enrolled in college at LSU, Ryan Dixon began to star in adult films using the stage name 'Kameron Scott'. After graduation in 2008 he moved to Florida where his career in the Adult film industry really began to prosper. His rise to success was stopped just as suddenly as it began with his HIV positive diagnosis in December of 2008. He now devotes his time working with a non profit to educated the young gay population of South Florida in the dangers of unsafe sex.

During this hour of POZIAM RADIO the hosts and guests will be discussing Meth and HIV/AIDS. With the astonishing rise in new infections in the gay community due to meth use, we felt it was important to dedicate a show to the subject. Our friends from www.tweaker.org will be joining us for the first part of the show to talk about Meth and how it affects our bodies,our sex and our overall lives. The second part of the show we will be joined by POZIAMer Greg B. who will be sharing his story of Meth use,Recovery and HIV.

HIV positive Canadian Bradford McIntyre promotes HIV and AIDS awareness and promotes messages of positive living with HIV.A long time survivor living with HIV since 1984, Bradford announced publicly in 1994 that he was living with HIV. "My work creating HIV and AIDS awareness globally has provided for many people, a face living with HIV and this has helped to bring hope to people infected that they too can live!" Bradford has appeared on national television and radio, in numerous newspaper and magazine interviews and documentaries; promoting HIV and AIDS awareness. Along with local, national and international speaking engagements, Bradford's articles on HIV and AIDS have been published in newspapers, magazines and on web sites around the world. Bradford's global impact is shown through a comprehensive, informative website. When you visit his website Positively Positive-Living with HIV/AIDS (www.PositivelyPositive.ca), you will discover a wide variety of life affirming and supportive topics. He collaborates with individuals, groups and organizations throughout the world. Since 1994, whenever possible, Bradford has volunteered his time and energy to participate in HIV and AIDS causes.

Michelle Anderson is an African-American woman who has been living for HIV since 1999. She currently resides in Dallas, Texas and is very active in her community as Co-Chair of Campaign to End AIDS Texas , The Afiya Center Peer Educator , Public Speaker , as well as a board member for AIDS Services of Dallas, and ADAP Advocacy Association where she is the Treasurer. Michelle has dedicated much of her personal life to educating others on HIV/AIDS throughout the greater Dallas area and beyond. She plans to finish her degree in Social Work where she will be able to continue to spread the message, and educate people regarding HIV/AIDS. Michelle is has stepped out of the box and is currently Ms. Duncanville Plus America 2010 and 2011. She plans to use her title to become the voice of positive women of color. Michelle has experience as a group facilitator and has attended many conferences where she received training in Advocacy, Project LEAP (Learning, Empowerment, Advocacy, Participation), and Common Threads.

Mondo Guerra, the rocking 32-year-old breakout star from the eighth season of Project Runway, turned tear ducts to geysers during a past episode, when he revealed his HIV-positive status. Which was a secret he'd been hiding from his deeply religious family for ten years. Once the sobbing subsided, and Mondo laid claim to his much deserved third win in a row (the first turkey in Project Runway history!), a bigger question loomed in the minds of viewers: How did his deeply religious family take the news when they saw it? And did they watch the big reveal live with the rest of America, or were they prepped beforehand? In an interview with Stylelist, Mondo said he told his family just five days before the episode aired. During the challenge the contestants were asked to create a textile pattern inspired by old family photos, evoking "something deeply personal." Guerra created black, yellow and magenta plus-sign print pants, explaining, "The symbolism in the pants are these pluses are positive signs and I've been HIV positive for ten years. When I saw these pictures of my family, it brought back a lot of emotion, so I wanted to pull from the past but also give something back of who I am now."

11th Hour is brining back a concert version of our first Barrymore nominated show! tick, tick...BOOM! is Jonathan Larson's autobiographical tale of a young composer on the brink of turning 30 and falling into oblivion. Featuring 11th Hour favorite, Alex Keiper and 11th Hour co-founders Michael Philip O'Brien and Steve Pacek, tick, tick...BOOM! takes you on Larson's incredible, though tragic journey leading to the creation of the Broadway blockbuster, RENT. tick, tick...BOOM! in concert will be benefiting the Mazzoni Center for LGBT Health and Well-being and 11th Hour's upcoming production of RENT.

Dr. Jacqueline Gunn will be speaking about her new book " In the Therapists Chair" Patient-K who is HIV+ was mentioned in a chapter of her book and will also be joining us to share his experience living with HIV and Psychotherapy. Have you ever wondered how psychotherapy actually works? Have you ever been curious about what a therapist’s thoughts are while she is sitting with a patient? Do therapists feel emotions during session? What are they really thinking? How do therapists choose what personal information to share with their patients, and how might they time disclosure? How does a therapist respond upon receiving a gift from a patient? What aspects of the relationship need to be considered before a therapist accepts or declines a gift? “In the Therapist’s Chair” addresses these complex questions and many more. Find more info at on Dr. Gunn at www.drjacquelinegunn.com

Robert Breining and Justin B. Smith will be taking your calls and answering your questions on a variety of hot topics.

The Undisputed Queen of San Francisco Media," Pollo Del Mar is an award-winning celebrity journalist, weekly newspaper columnist, celebrated Bay Area drag personality and performer, outspoken community activist, tireless fundraiser and magazine cover girl. Find Pollo Del Mar on the web at ?http://www.Facebook.com/PolloDelMar? or follow her on Twitter @TheGlamazonPDM. ?

Scott Fried is an international public speaker, HIV/AIDS educator and author. He has devoted the past eighteen years of his life lecturing in nearly every state in this country, as well as Israel, England, Canada, Holland and Honduras, reaching more than a million people. He has spoken at over 750 institutions, including colleges and universities, high schools and middle schools, summer camps, synagogues and churches. In addition, he has lectured widely at youth retreats, juvenile detention centers and prisons, alternative schools, learning disabled populations, Gay/Straight Alliances, PTO meetings and teacher training workshops. Topics include sexual responsibility, abstinence, dating, transmission of HIV, homosexuality, eating disorders, body image, self-mutilation, suicide, alcohol and drug misuse, dealing with divorce and broken-heartedness, among others. Learn more at www.scottfried.com

Tonight Robert Breining and Guest co-host Brian Finch of PositiveLite.com will be discussing hot topics and taking your calls all hour. Call in with your questions and comments at 347-215-9442.

Tonight Robert Breining and Guest co-host Scott Kramer will be discussing hot topics and taking your calls all hour. Call in with your questions and comments at 347-215-9442.

As a recording artist, Jade began her recording career in 1997 with the release of her first 12" Dance single "Why Are You Gaggin’?”. In 2000, she signed a record deal with Triple XXX Records in London. “Bitch, You Look Fierce” and “Proud Mary” have become underground favorites from New York to London. Unfortunately, Triple XXX Records folded. “How Do I Look?” was released in 2004 and has been remixed by DJs such as DJ Paulo and Midnight Society. Keep your ears open for the upcoming remixes of “Trade” by Midnight Society, soon to hit iPods and dance floors everywhere. From the Fall of 2001 to the Summer of 2002, Jade made a transition from night club acts to the Off-Broadway stage. First, with a small part in Beverly Bonner’s hit play, “Manhattan Towers” as a character that Jade wrote herself (Paprika Jones). Then came “Happy Birthday, Madame Alberta,” a play written by Robert Jason Jackson for 2002’s Black Pride NYC Generations celebration. Time Out New York magazine featured Jade in July, 2002. Then came a one-woman show written specifically for her by Francisco Kali called “Daddy’s Lil’ Girl,”which was part of the Blatino Playwrights Festivalat the Bronx Academy of Art & Dance.

“When I was diagnosed in the beginning of this year I decided there were two directions I could take my future. The first would be to continue to abuse alcohol, my body and wait for death OR choose to make use of the word ‘Positive’ for all it’s worth. So, that’s what I did. I joined groups and organizations, surrounded myself with true friends and family, and focused on my true passion- writing. Here I am seven months later with a second chance at life. I made a vow to educate others to help themselves and to let the world know that it’s okay to say you’re HIV positive- with a smile.” –Christopher Myron

Amy will be share her personal experience of being on the AIDS Drug Assistant Programs (ADAP) waiting list. There are over 2,000 Americans in 12 states currently on the ADAP waiting lists as of July 2010 . Tune in to hear Amy's amazing story .

Chelsea Gulden learned she was HIV-positive and pregnant the summer before her senior year in college. At the time, both diagnoses were a shock. “I knew HIV was out there, but I didn’t know much else,” says 23-year-old Gulden, who today is an adolescent care coordinator at the Metrolina AIDS Project in Charlotte, N.C. Gulden was on antiretroviral medication while pregnant, and she gave her newborn son, Noah, AZT syrup every six hours the first six weeks of his life. “All I could think about was my baby,” she says. “I didn’t have time to process my own diagnosis. I was just praying for him to be OK, and I was so happy when he tested negative.”Chelsea is currently involved with Hope's Voice and is a United States Campaign Ambassador for their Does HIV Look Like Me? campaign.

Kimberley Locke gained fame with her participation in the 2003 American Idol® television series where she was second runner up to Ruben Studdard, and in 2007 she garnered media attention for her participation in VH1’s “Celebrity Fit Club.” Locke is excited to release her new dance single, “Strobe Light,” a collaboration with “Idol” judge and producer Randy Jackson’s Dream Merchant 21 label and Ingrooves with Cutfather (Christina Aguilera, Santana, cat Dolls) producing the track. “Strobe Light” is slated for release April 6, 2010. For the past six years, Locke has been actively involved with Camp Heartland, a national non-profit organization committed to improving the lives of children and their families impacted by HIV/AIDS. She has also worked with several HIV/AIDS related charities, including the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation, YouthAIDS, and the Davy Foundation. In November 2007, Locke was presented with the Red Ribbon Award in recognition for her extensive charitable efforts as an HIV/AIDS activist. In addition to various tour dates and performances, Locke has branched out as a television personality and host, and oftentimes provides hosting duties at red carpet events for “E!,” “Extra,” and “The Insider.” She has hosted GSN’s “World Slam,” MTV’s “Little Talent Show” and co-hosted several episodes of ABC’s “The View.” Locke is currently attached to host and executive produce “Making the Curve,” a developmental reality show competition that will put together a supergroup of plus-sized women, which has garnered major interest from several networks. get Kimberly's music and new single at www.kimberleylockeofficial.com

Nicholas Snow has been out of the closet in the media as an openly gay man since 1985. In 1988 he was on the staff of the first ever National Coming Out Day and later also served on the board of the Alliance for Gay and Lesbian Artists in the Entertainment Industry. From 1993 to 1998 he produced and hosted the television show "Tinseltown's Queer!" which he describes as "a queen's version of Larry King" - this morphed into the Nicholas Snow Show with co-host Fabrice Tasendo which ran until 2000. In a dramatic twist in his own storyline due to a collision of circumstances, Snow became HIV positive in August of 2007. He has since founded ActionEqualsLife.com, devoted to raising HIV/AIDS awareness; creating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered civil rights; and supporting human rights in general. Visitors to the web site can watch "Action Equals Life: The Series!" Later this year Snow will record a dance anthem with leading music producer Bruno Brugnano, the music video to be directed by O. Nathapon. The song, "The Power to Be Strong," will inspire HIV testing as part of Snow's "Get Tested, Live Longer" campaign

Sherri Beachfront Lewis was diagnosed HIV positive in 1987 after a routine blood test for her marriage license. She was one of the first women to be diagnosed with HIV in the United States and still be alive and well. In the past 20-plus years, Sherri has worked with and coordinated numerous HIV/AIDS research and advocacy effort. LIVING OUT LOUD is an Entertainment Talk Show including a live band & focusing on celeb causes, authors,musicians, alternative healing, nutrition and ordinary people doing extraordinary things. From non-profits to red carpet events. After hosting 60 podcasts for Here Networks Straight Girl In A Queer World I interviewed a variety of guests from Jasmine Guy to Greg Louganis to live for Macy's Passport, Project Angel Food. As Sherri Beachfront lead singer of the 80's pop group GET WET I performed on American Bandstand, Solid Gold, The Merv Griffin Show, and MTV. Performing for Sheryl Lee Ralph's non profit DIVAS Simply Singing and Broadway CARES Equity Fights AIDS, I got to do it all. I have been in recovery & living with HIV for 25 years! As an activist, counselor, writer, public speaker & entertainer, I want to de-stigmatize living with HIV simply by transcending it. Living in the mainstream & living my dreams. Because LIVING OUT LOUD is an art! Vote for Sherri to have her OWN Show here and visit her blog - HIV DIVA -on Thebody.com here

David von Storch, president of Urban Adventures Companies, Inc., has had a successful 22-year entrepreneurial career influenced by a very personal struggle. David is living with HIV. Diagnosed in 1988, the disease has subtly touched many of his business decisions ever since. The devastation David felt at the discovery of his positive status has shifted in the past 20+ years, profoundly influencing the way he lives his life and runs his businesses. His decisions to open VIDA Fitness, to ban trans fats on all menu items at Capitol City Brewing Company restaurants can be traced to his HIV status and the need to take care of himself physically, emotionally and spiritually. While his businesses continue to grow, David did not set out to be an ambassador for AIDS awareness through his entrepreneurial ventures. While HIV touches his everyday personal life, it is not the driving force behind his business decisions. He is realistic in separating emotional from rational and won’t grow a company if the revenues do not exist. Mr. von Storch is a true entrepreneur by turning his passion for healthy living into all of his business ventures.Recently, David captured his busy corporate life on video and produced a TV pilot in hopes of landing a network contract for a reality series. “Complicated Order” is a 22-minute, entertaining segment full of amusement and tension that focuses on von Storch’s growing business empire of lifestyle companies and feature his eclectic group of coworkers assisting in the daily rigors of supervising all his enterprises. Learn more at www.complicatedorder.com

Toby Grace is the Editor of Out in Jersey Magazine. He lived through the early years of AIDS in the 80s and saw all of his friends pass away, one by one. He feels blessed to have a gay family that is made up of his partner of 15 years and four informally adopted gay sons all in their early 20's & all HIV negative.His previous partner, Norman, a very magical man whom he loved very much, died of AIDS n '95. It was a 2 year spiritual & physical process for the both of them. Toby's way of keeping his sanity through the whole process was to chronicle it in a cycle of poems. Toby will be sharing some of his poems on air with us. www.outinjersey.net

MARK S. KING is an award winning columnist, author, blogger and AIDS advocate who has been involved in gay causes since the early 1980’s. After graduating the University of Houston, King pursued an acting career in Los Angeles and appeared in dozens of television commercials hawking fast food and soft drinks. During this time he also opened Telerotic, which became one of the largest gay telephone fantasy services in the country. King sold the company in 1986 as AIDS was beginning its devastation of the gay community. It is this period of time that King brings back to life in his memoir, A Place Like This. King has appeared as a regular spokesperson on ABC News, 48 Hours, CNN News and in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. His award-winning writing has been featured in The Advocate, Newsweek, The Washington Blade, and on TheBody.com web site. King has been honored for his writing numerous times, including the 2007-2008 National Lesbian and Gay Journalist Association’s award for best opinion piece of the year, for his essay “Once, When We Were Heroes,” about the early days of the AIDS epidemic. Mark’s video blog, “My Fabulous Disease,” is one of the most popular ongoing features of the TheBody.com, with viewers from around the world.

Loran Spurling would describe his household growing up as a place where they didn't talk about anything. Today, he talks about everything. Diagnosed in 2006, his HIV positive status is one more thing he freely talks about in hopes of ending stigma. Loran is also a trauma survivor, a recovering addict, was recently dual-diagnosed with genital herpes and is a cat dad. He recently appeared in Logo's HIV+ME series. Listen in as Loran shares his experience, strength and hope living day to day with HIV.

WE HAD to RESCHEDULE KIMBERLEY LOCKE FOR A FUTURE SHOW.. STAY TUNED Kimberley Locke gained fame with her participation in the 2003 American Idol® television series where she was second runner up to Ruben Studdard, and in 2007 she garnered media attention for her participation in VH1’s “Celebrity Fit Club.” Locke is excited to release her new dance single, “Strobe Light,” a collaboration with “Idol” judge and producer Randy Jackson’s Dream Merchant 21 label and Ingrooves with Cutfather (Christina Aguilera, Santana, cat Dolls) producing the track. “Strobe Light” is slated for release April 6, 2010. For the past six years, Locke has been actively involved with Camp Heartland, a national non-profit organization committed to improving the lives of children and their families impacted by HIV/AIDS. She has also worked with several HIV/AIDS related charities, including the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation, YouthAIDS, and the Davy Foundation. In November 2007, Locke was presented with the Red Ribbon Award in recognition for her extensive charitable efforts as an HIV/AIDS activist. In addition to various tour dates and performances, Locke has branched out as a television personality and host, and oftentimes provides hosting duties at red carpet events for “E!,” “Extra,” and “The Insider.” She has hosted GSN’s “World Slam,” MTV’s “Little Talent Show” and co-hosted several episodes of ABC’s “The View.” Locke is currently attached to host and executive produce “Making the Curve,” a developmental reality show competition that will put together a supergroup of plus-sized women, which has garnered major interest from several networks. get Kimberly's music and new single at www.kimberleylockeofficial.com

Casey Collins is a 26 year Survivor of the H.I.V. Epidemic. He's also a Recording Artist who pioneered the provocative notion that an OUT GAY Male Singer could speak and sing freely to the masses long before that time would arrive. He still performs his music and we'll hear some un-released recordings during the broadcast. H.I.V. had an enormous impact on his career in the late 80's and 90's in Hollywood. In 2000, Advocate Magazine praised his debut CD, saying, "Collins takes male Diva-ness to new sonic heights...and introduces a world-class singer." He was nominated for 3 Gay and Lesbian, G.L.A.M.A. Awards and shared the stage in N.Y.C. with all his Queer Out Musical Hero's. Collins has a rich, historical perspective to share with us regarding the HIV Epidemic from it's start until today. He took one of the first HIV Tests available in the United States in May of 1985. He attended the very first of what became known as Louise Hay's "Hay Rides" in West Hollywood, sang for and supported the early work of Marianne Williamson and became part of the creation and integral, touring Staff of AIDS MEDICINE and MIRACLES. You can expect he'll offer his engaging ideas of what he believes Long Term Survivors might employ to become valuable assets to the present day Epidemic. He'll share with us his thoughts behind his one man anthem, "A Treatment Is Not A Cure." Hear Casey's story only on POZIAM RADIO. Sunday evening, 9PM EST.

Lisa Britt describes the man who infected her with HIV as "one of those African American men who can't seem to stay out of jail." Still she stayed with him for three years. Sometimes they used condoms, sometimes they did not. Lisa message is "sometimes" can be a very dangerous word.Three years ago her boyfriend tested positive for the HIV virus while in prison. The staff made him call all of his sexual partners to warn them about their own risk. When he phoned Lisa, he said he had something to tell her, but he could not seem to get it out. She finally heard the news from a prison nurse. Lisa is the host of The Butterfly Girls- Radio Show - in Atlanta, Georgia. You can listen Live on WAEC LOVE 860 AM, Tuesday's @ 3:30 PM. Or log onto: www.love860.com.

Shawn Decker was infected with HIV as a child through the contaminated blood products used to treat his hemophilia, Shawn learned early in life about discrimination. Within a month of testing positive for the virus, he was kicked out of the 6th grade. By allaccounts, he wasn’t expected to live five years.Today Shawn has happily found his wife partner in life, Gwenn Barringer, and the two speak together as a couple, educating about how they keep Gwenn, who is HIV negative, safe in their relationship. His first book, My Pet Virus: The True Story of a Rebel Without a Cure mypetvirus.com

Herman Young was diagnosed HIV+ in 2002. in 2006 he was misdiagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma because his HIV numbers were "normal" so the Doctors assumed his swollen glands were Cancer. Herman was the very first HIV+ patient in the State of Michigan's' medical history to have a Liver Transplant, and to this day is the only HIV patient to have a Liver Transplant. Years back people thought why waste a perfectly good organ on someone who won't live too much longer. Herman Young is living proof that HIV patients can survive and thrive as transplant recipients.

Brandon Macsata of the ADAP Advocacy Association (aaa+) will be talking about the importance of ADAP. Their mission is to promote and enhance the AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) and improve access to care for persons living with HIV/AIDS. aaa+ works with advocates, community, health care, government, patients, pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders to assure that access to services recognize and afford persons living with HIV/AIDS to enjoy a healthy life.

DeVondia Roseborough, aka "The Traveling Advocate" is determined and motivated publicly expressing the effect and affects of HIV/AIDS globally. In December of 2003, with a T-cell count of nineteen, she learned that she had AIDS. She has furthered her passion in her self-published debut entitled, "Put it on Paper." The nonfiction memoir describes her life before HIV and after AIDS. Her memoir is a personal journey of her self-esteem challenges and the price of yearning to love. Learn more at www.rasberrirose.webs.com/

Jacob Pring Events introduces -Poz- which are events for people who are HIV+, but it also applies to those who don't have hang ups on dating someone who is poz & those who come out with their poz friends to support them. The Poz events bring faces to the disease & helps eliminate the STIGMA surrounding people with HIV/AIDS. The DJs are HIV+ & Jacob Nathaniel Pring himself has been Poz for 7 years! Events are happening in Washington DC & New York and are coming soon to Philadelphia & Chicago

Steven M. Sorensen, a 37 year old perfectly flawed, recovering, intelligent, gay, HIV+ man traversing this journey called life. His journey began in a small rural ranching community in the Sandhills of Central Nebraska. He moved to NYC for 20 years and just moved back to Nebraska. Learn what it is like to be HIV+ in Nebraska with only 1 ASO in the entire state.

The Undisputed Queen of San Francisco Media," Pollo Del Mar is an award-winning celebrity journalist, weekly newspaper columnist, celebrated Bay Area drag personality and performer, outspoken community activist, tireless fundraiser and magazine cover girl. Find Pollo Del Mar on the web at http://www.Facebook.com/PolloDelMar or follow her on Twitter @TheGlamazonPDM.

Tree Alexander was diagnosed with HIV in 2006 and bacame a storng advocate shortly after. Now 23 years old Tree has made a complete change in the way he lives his life. Tree has committed himself to HIV/AIDS care and prevention.Tree Alexander is currently working as a Direct Observation of Therapy (DOT) specialist in Housing Works’ access to care department, where he provides one-on-one medical case management for clients

Michael Lee Howard was diagnosed with HIV November 2005. After his diagnosis, he was determined to educate, grow and learn From the experience. Michael has shared his story through his love of writing, music, photography and volunteering. Having a strong conviction to raise awareness and education, particularly in the newly diagnosed arena , Michael wants to reach out to those needing guidance and support.

Monique Howell will be sharing her personal story of HIV,Pregnancy and Motherhood...

As we near the 30th anniversary of HIV/AIDS in 2011, The HIV Story Project is a short film compilation & new media content experiment that will create a panorama of stories to shed light on one of the world's most pervasive health pandemics. www.hivstoryproject.org

This 5-day retreat is an international gathering of HIV-positive gay and bi-sexual men who seek to enrich their lives through deeper insights, awareness and connections to both the community and oneself. We will be learning about medical, psychological and spiritual tools to help create healthier and more fulfilling lives while forging bonds and friendships with other HIV-positive gay men from different parts of the world. The program will include informational and instructional sessions as well as exercises and participation by all the attendees with attention given to the full body-mind-spirit connection. We will also have plenty of time for social activities with movie screenings, nature hikes, and some parties. Find more information at www.pozretreats.com

30-year old Duane Quintana hails from Wendell, a small town in Idaho, where he was an honor student, regular church goer, and the apple of his family's eye. Following high school, Duane made the trek to Phoenix, Arizona where he began attending college with dreams of becoming an architect. His social life blossomed, and things appeared to be on the up-and-up for Duane; and then, in 1999, at the age of 20, he was diagnosed with HIV. Upon returning to his hometown with complications related to the virus, Duane was forced to move to Boise where HIV services were more accessible. In 2002, Duane released "I'm Just Me, Just Like You," an educational film documenting his family coming to terms with his diagnosis. In 2003, Duane began a national tour, giving speeches at esteemed universities, and also campaigned with Does HIV Look Like Me?, along with Hope's Voice an international organization that battles social stigma toward those living with HIV. That same year, Duane founded a.l.p.h.a (Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS), a non-profit organization that focuses on counseling, rapid testing, and networking between local HIV services. In the five years since its inception, a.l.p.h.a. has grown from a small non-profit into Idaho's largest HIV testing organization and is looking to open to more locations in Idaho.

Michael is not an activist or someone that knows all there is to know about HIV, HIV Resources, laws, or much else related to HIV. Michael was someone who never expected to have to deal with this issue up front and personal. He has been a blogger on POZIAM for a few months and expresses thoughts coming from your average person dealing with this disease and the issues it brings with it. He works for a company managing people; loves sports especially ice hockey; works on his house; spends time with his dog. All in all Michael is probably like so many others diagnosed with this HIV.

 Aiden Shaw has been a photographer and a director of pop promos, a model and an actor. He has an international reputation as a star of American-made hardcore films and is probably Britain's best known male sex star. Aiden's New Book- Sordid Truths- chronicles the author’s ascent from being just another broke college boy who dabbled with the idea that he could sell his young body for hard cash, to becoming the internationally renowned adult film superstar. After finishing just one year of his degree, Aiden Shaw was twenty-one and easily lured away from study by the heady mix of sex and money in London. Within a short time on the scene, he was something of a celebrity in his field, having been introduced to wealthy, weird, and wonderful eccentrics and famous—and famously closeted—eurotrash personalities and the celebrated elite. However, working as a prostitute turned minor league once gay adult film legend Chi Chi La Rue took Polaroids of the naked and aroused Shaw and launched his career. The rest is history, as is documented in more than fifty films that won him numerous honors. The author of the best-selling memoir My Undoing and two novels, Aiden Shaw divides his time between New York and London, England. His Web site is aidenshaw.com.

River Huston is an award-winning poet, journalist, performer and activist. She travels through the United States speaking on issues related to sexuality, communication, overcoming challenges and change. She has been featured on Good Morning America, Showtime, Nightline, CNN and ABC Up To The Minute. River has written three books of poetry as well as The Goddess: A Guide to Feminine Wisdom and A Positive Life: Portraits of Women Living With HIV. She wrote and performed a one-woman show, Sex, Cellulite and Large Farm Equipment: One Girls Guide to Living and Dying off off Broadway and is currently working on a second show, The Dominatrix Next Door. For more information about River you can go to www.riverhuston.com.

Robert & Jeromy will be talking about the process one must make after a new HIV/AIDS diagnosis. If your newly Diagnosed you don't want to miss this show. Call us with your questions and comments throughout the entire hour. 347-215-9442 The initial shock, disbelief, and fear of an HIV diagnosis can make those first days almost unbearable. The host will be discussing 10 tips for people newly diagnosed with HIV that will help get through those difficult first days.

Johnathan Shaw will be positive for one year, come December 30th. Johnathan is 21 years old and have been living in Augusta, Georgia for the past two years, but he is originally from Seattle, WA. His father was military so Je has lived everywhere from Hawaii to Virginia and even in New Orleans. When he found out he was HIV positive he had no motivation to live, but his best friend Brett encouraged him to turn what he considered a disaster into something that could be good for our generation. Before finding out he was positive, HIV never crossed his mind as something he would battle in his life. Johnathan was very naïve to the virus and assumed that only people that didn’t use protection contracted it. He found out first hand that just because you use a condom does not mean that you are immune to getting this dreadful disease. A faulty condom turned out to be his biggest threat in the end. Since finding out about his status he has learned to cope and as a better way of dealing with it he decided to video blog about his life and the challenges he will go thru. He never expected his first video blog to have as many viewers as it did and hearing the feedback from the people who viewed my blog made me realize that I can help change people’s lives. Visit Johnathan's Blog on the POZIAM Network

Join Robert Sunday December 13th at 9pm EST. Robert will be interviewing Brandon Williams and Brian Finch the founders of PositiveLite.com. Positive Lite is an online magazine tune in and find out all about it .

The One and Only "Ongina" from Rupaul's Drag Race and Logo's HIV+ME Project returns to POZIAM RADIO. The will speak about Ongina's time on the show & coming out as a person with HIV/AIDS on TV. Find out what she has been up to after the show and where you can see her perform Live.

Started on 1st December 1988, World AIDS Day is about raising money, increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education. The World AIDS Day theme for 2009 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. World AIDS Day is important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done. The theme for World AIDS Day 2009 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. Global leaders have pledged to work towards universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care, recognising these as fundamental human rights. Valuable progress has been made in increasing access to HIV/AIDS services, yet greater commitment is needed around the world if the goal of universal access is to be achieved. Millions of people continue to be infected with HIV every year. In low- and middle-income countries, less than half of those in need of antiretroviral therapy are receiving it, and too many do not have access to adequate care services.2 The protection of human rights is fundamental to combating the global HIV and AIDS epidemic. Violations against human rights fuel the spread of HIV, putting marginalised groups, such as injecting drug users and sex workers, at a higher risk of HIV infection. By promoting individual human rights, new infections can be prevented and people who have HIV can live free from discrimination. World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for all of us - individuals, communities and political leaders - to take action and ensure that human rights are protected and global targets for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care are met. Call in and tell us about events going on in your area... 347-215-9442

 It took almost four years after his diagnosis for Charles  to say these words: “I accept life with HIV. I will love myself unconditionally.” Even as a HIV/AIDS activist and leader in the Black, Same-Gender Loving community, Charles struggled with the social, psychological, and spiritual implications of living with an incurable disease that raped the lives of many of his family and friends. Charles, 26, says that the death of his surrogate father, Shelton Jackson, who died from AIDS-related complications earlier this year and a nervous breakdown he suffered shortly thereafter were the main drivers of his acceptance. Charles was hospitalized for two days while attending a leadership retreat in Atlanta for depression and anxiety with some psychotic-like symptoms. Charles was diagnosed with HIV in 2006 while receiving his test results from a routine HIV test he took on campus as a senior at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. He calls it a gut-wrenching experience because he waited over two hours for his test results. After college, Charles took his first job in public health at Metrolina AIDS Project in Charlotte, NC. He worked as a coordinator for a federally-funded intervention aimed at decreasing the number of new HIV infections among men who have sex with men ages 13-24. Charles says that he is working to change this scenario by sharing his experiences with others who are afraid or in denial of what can happen if they don‘t treasure their lives. “It is now I am beginning to embrace what has happened in my life. I am beginning to take steps to embrace leadership, truth, and the role I play in tackling the HIV pandemic. My voice can be a powerful instrument,” he said.

Robb Reichard has worked for over twenty years on behalf of the HIV/AIDS community in Philadelphia. Robb holds a BA in Sociology from Arcadia University. In the 1980s as the Director of Residence Life at Peirce College, Robb initiated and conducted HIV/AIDS prevention education programs for college students and eventually expanded his outreach to provide the first HIV/AIDS sensitivity training at an area hospital. Pursuing his passion to help end the HIV pandemic, Robb worked for five years at BEBASHI (Blacks Educating Blacks About Sexual Health Issues), the largest African American AIDS service provider in Philadelphia, serving as Director of Development, Director of Programs, and Deputy Director. Robb has served on the Board of Directors of the Center for Responsible Funding, is a member of the Advisory Committee for the City of Philadelphia’s Employees’ Combined Campaign, and is a member of the Community At Work Collaborative Roundtable Group. He has also served as the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Coalition of AIDS Service Organizations and on the Selection Committee for the Exelon's Employee Community Service Awards. In 1999, Robb was named Associate Director of AIDS Fund, an organization in which he initially began work as a volunteer. Currently, Robb is the Executive Director of AIDS Fund, the largest private funder of AIDS services in the Delaware Valley. Under Robb’s direction, the AIDS Fund produces Philadelphia’s popular monthly fundraiser, GayBINGO, which has raised over 2 million dollars to date as well as the annual AIDS Walk Philly, now in its 23rd year, the largest HIV/AIDS fundraiser and public education event in the area.

Jason Wilder Evans is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Musician, Actor and Filmmaker. He has shared stages with Steve Azar, The Nashville Star Tour, Jason Levassur, Life in General and has starred in the short film Reality to the Max and was host of the short lived Internet phenomenon Modmylife. Jason has been an extra in 27 Dresses, The Brotherhood, Rescue Me and the Emeril Lagasse show. Jason has been working in the filed of HIV since 2002. His current project HIV: USA is a nationwide creative writing and video documentary project that explores stigma, disclosure and HIV status with people living with HIV/AIDS. This multi-faceted project can also be used by collaborating agencies as a fundraiser, online or in patient waiting room areas. For more information on the HIV: USA project or to participate visit: www.hiv-usa.com For information on Jason Wilder Evans music visit: www.jasonwilderevans.com

At birth, Hydeia Broadbent was abandoned at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas where Patricia and Loren Broadbent adopted her as an infant. Although her HIV condition was congenital, she was not diagnosed as HIV-positive with advancement to AIDS until age three. The prognosis was that she would not live past the age of five and as a result became the “test baby” for HIV/AIDS medications, which are currently on the market today. Needless to say, this “test baby” has defied the odds by more than16 years, which is valid proof that HIV/AIDS is no longer a death sentence. Hydeia’s debut as an HIV/AIDS activist and public speaker began at the age of six during one of her many visits to the hospital. By age 12 she was appearing on national programs including Oprah, 20/20, Good Morning America and “A conversation with Magic Johnson”. Over the next 10 years Hydeia became a notable featured speaker and guest panelist at some of America’s most respected educational institutions: Duke University, Clark Atlanta University, UCLA, USC, and Howard University. Since1996, she has been featured in some of today’s most prominent publications and television programs that include but are not limited to: Essence Magazine, Ebony Magazine New York Times, POZ Magazine, Seventeen, Heart & Soul, Nickelodeon, MTV, and BET. To her credit, she has also been honored with an American Red Cross Spirit Award and a 1999 Essence Award.

Diane shared her story on 20/20 and Oprah and now comes to POZIAM RADIO.Diane is a 58 years old and up until 2000 she was married most of her adult life. She like many others enjoy being in a caring, loving relationship and so after her divorce it was tough getting back in the dating scene. After 2 years and kissing alot of frogs, Diane thought she had found her prince a soft spoken, polite and charming computer guy with a great job and a way of making her feel like she was the only woman in the world.She was thrilled when they agreed to be exclusive and other than one indiscretion on his part she thought they were. Until they broke up and her world fell apart. After a diagnosis of pre-cancerour cells in the cervix due to HPV, Diane started investigating her former lover. Imagine her shock to learn that he had been seeing numerous other women. She felt compelled to warn them about the HPV, and thru a series of miracles and twists of fate, She also had contracted AIDS from this man. They had discussions about HIV, before and he insisted he was negative , and she surmised in looking back that he might have known all along. Angry and terrified, Diane actually found 11 other women he had infected. They banded together as sisters, not by birth parents, but by sharing the same disease in our blood. The women cried, they hugged, and they loved each other, as they processed the betrayal of a man-- the same man they had once loved. As the women shared, they came upon shocking news--he was continuing to victimize others in spite of his knowledge of his status.

Armed with only his wit, storyteller Dan Horrigan does battle with evil bosses, loses true love and confronts being HIV positive... all while searching for the perfect set of kitchenware! With humor and candor, he shares his story about grappling with growing up and accepting himself. A master storyteller at cocktail parties acrossNew York, Dan Horrigan has decided to bring his skills to a wider and slightly more sober audience. MY AIDS marks his debut as a solo artist. When not performing his own work Dan serves as the Artistic Director of At Hand Theatre Company. His directing credits include work by playwrights Brian Dykstra, Rob Ackerman and most recently John Patrick Bray's Trickster At The Gate.

Robert and Jeromy and Scott Kramer will be taking your calls and answering your questions about Safer Sex. Safer sex is a general term used to describe methods for reducing the chance that you will spread or catch sexually transmitted diseases (STDs, also known as sexually transmitted infections or STIs). The idea is that with a few simple tools and strategies, you can increase safety without sacrificing your sex life. Safer sex also involves talking with your partner/spouse, discussing activities and risks and making educated choices together. Of course, sex raises a number of other questions. Do you trust your partner? How do you get a guy to use a condom if he refuses to do so? What if you are suspicious that your partner/spouse is not being monogamous?

  Dr. Frank Spinelli is the former Clinical Director of HIV Services at New York City's Cabrini Medical Center. Today, he serves the community in a more comprehensive capacity as a board certified internist, with a large HIV+ and gay men's health private practice in Manhattan. Dr. Spinelli is also an Associate Clinical Professor of New York Medical College. Dr. Spinelli is the monthly healthcare columnist for The Advocate, the oldest continuing gay publication in the United States. He also appears regularly on Sirius radio's top-rated Out Q with Larry Flick. Dr. Spinelli maintains a full lecture schedule where he is able to speak on gay men’s health and lifestyle issues. Dr. Spinelli is the author of The Advocate Guide to Gay Men's Health and Wellness, published in 2008. He lives in Manhattan and is currently at work on his next book. In addition to medical care and writing, Dr. Spinelli offers a variety of procedures, particularly for gay men living with HIV. “Lipodystrophy Syndrome is a condition I feel very strongly about. Facial wasting secondary to antiretroviral medication and HIV is not exclusively about one’s appearance. It can also greatly affect self-esteem and how someone sees themself within the community.” This is why Dr. Spinelli offers treatment for facial wasting using Sculptra. www.FrankSpinelliMD.com

Tracey is originally from NYC. He served in the USAF. He has a grown son, Jermaine, who is unfortunately an addict. Tracey came to California in 1996 for a relationship for "the one". Of course, that did not work out. He then met his present mate, and husband, Lenwood on June 8, 2007, in the midsts of getting ready to move to Texas , Tracey put those plans on hold since they both agreed they wanted to be together. In their discussions, Lenwood told Tracey that he always wanted to adopt - so they started the process with Allen. They adopted Allen in February of this year. Lenwood and Tracey were married on June 22, 2008, and had a very big ceremony in Palm Springs with their family in attendance December 13, 2008. Tracey was diagnosed in April 1993. He thanks his higher power and his family for his thriving and growing in this disease. It has never been a hindrance to him. In fact, Tracey believes his deal with GOD helped him with his disease and striving. Prior to his diagnoses Tracey has been and continue to be an avid activist against HIV/AIDS...since 1985. He has been a part of many different organizations- Aids Survival Project, Atlanta, GA, Gay Mens Health Center, NYC, Brothers Back 2 Back, Atlanta, GA and been a consultant to many others such as AID Atlanta. Tracey enjoys his life with his family. In fact, Tracey and his Husband will hopefully be adopting another little boy in the near future.

Actor, playwright and poet, Brian E. Bengtson is a native of Omaha, and has been featured in many national Gay/Lesbian magazines and HIV/AIDS journals such as HURAKAN, DAVID'S PLACE, BAY WINDOWS, and POETRY MOTEL. The Crawlspace Theatre in New Orleans first produced his one-act play, entitled FAGS IN THE MALL, in 1991. He served four and a half years as Poetry Editor for THE NEW VOICE OF NEBRASKA (the state’s oldest and longest-running G/L/B/T magazines until it folded in 1998). His first chapbook, entitled "GAY . . .SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED" was published by Lone Willow Press in 1995. He currently has a new book of poetry, entitled FIRST CHILL (published through Publish America), available for sale from places like Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and etc. In the next two months, Brian's third collection, LEAVENWORTH STREET will be out from Backwater Press (Backwaterpress.com). He now lives in Omaha with his partner Chris, and his dog Lucy, who now must share her home with two new cats because she lacks an opposable thumb.

Multi-award winning producer/director John Rutherford, President and Creative Director of COLT Studio Group, has produced over 350+ man-on-man films in his career. The look of his films is unmistakable and has garnered him multiple awards and accolades, including a life-time achievement award from AVN in 2001, the Hall of Fame award from the Grabby's in 2002 and another life-time achievement award from the Free Speech Coalition in 2006 as well as winning numerous awards over the years as well as Best Director 5 times from the annual GayVN Awards Show. John will touch on what the requirements are on HIV testing in the Adult Film Industry and what precautions they take to protect the models.

"Michael Moniz has over 6 years in the field of coaching. Michael holds a Masters degree in the field of Communication from Rollins College. He started out working with many corporations and universities helping develop the next generation of leaders. He realized the needs for support in the gay and lesbian community and opened his own personal coaching practice soon after. He works with various clients from the gay and lesbian community but hosts groups for support to recently diagnosed and living with HIV. Helping HIV+ people move from merely just surviving to thriving in their lives with health, love, relationships, goals and adventures. Michael's life coaching practice is all about living life out loud. His energetic and dynamic personality helps clients take action in their lives and make their dreams into reality. Michael is an avid blogger and writes bi-monthly articles for PlanetOut and several regional papers. Michael speaks at many conferences and events all over the US working to help people get more out of their lives and become "unstuck". Michael truly believes that "life is not about finding yourself; life is about creating yourself." Visit Michaels website - www.Michael-Moniz.com

Richard N. Schooping, a Certified Holistic Health Consultant, Author, Inspirational Speaker, Singer/Songwriter, and Artist has personally transcended AIDS. He is now living truth that we are more than AIDS, fear, death, diseases, suffering, or anything. He shares that we are always free in love, and that he may illumine this for us now. Richard is sharing that AIDS is not the end of hope or of a life but may be the most glorious opportunity to transcend all limitation when we shift our perception from the victim to the observer of our lives. After suffering with AIDS, cancer, countless diseases, and immeasurable depression on-and-off for more than twenty years he was shattered. He also experienced not only the death of one husband, but three husbands to AIDS in less than 10 years. Richard has experienced an unimaginable hell. The gift is instead of him succumbing and losing this life, he has transcended and is now here sharing that no matter the misery - the human heart may overcome any suffering with the correct guidance and wisdom. Richard has suffered and may now empathize and assist anyone along their path out of the darkness and into oneness. www.richardschooping.com

When Clint Walters was only 17 years old, He suddenly became struck down with a range of illnesses after completing my first year of A-Levels. Clint went into the hospital for what he was told was just some “routine tests”. His mum was sitting right next to me when the doctor told me the news “He was diagnosed HIV positive.” He knew his life would never be the same again, with no preparation whatsoever and very little information on HIV/AIDS – He honestly believed I was just given a death sentence. At that point in time, He did not have anyone or anywhere to turn to. He found a support group in London and traveled alone for the two-hour round trip every week. Even though he was the only young person to attend the group - the group members were older gay men - He kept going. It was all he had. Health Initiatives was founded in April 1999, as his answer to the lack in peer support services for HIV positive youth in this country. Young people living with HIV/AIDS are in desperate need of services encouraging their involvement. After traveling around the UK and working closely with a number of youth-run HIV organizations in San Francisco, California, He returned to London to set-up a youth project over here. Testing HIV positive at the age of 17 is a earth shattering and unimaginable turning point in any young person’s life. The young people HI supports are often isolated without even the support of their parents or family members. HI services are built upon a number of agencies and approaches to sexual health and young people’s involvement key to the success of programmes.

Nate Klarfeld is a retired dentist from the Kansas City area now living in Florida. After retiring from dentistry in 1996 with an HIV/AIDS diagnosis he went into teaching biology and sex education in an inner city school. From there he moved to Ft. Lauderdale and became involved in an HIV support group at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center. One of the group leaders, Paul Stalbaum had been organizing hetero POZ cruises for an ASO there and was interested in starting a gay POZ men's cruise. Nate and his partner, Grover Lawlis, MD a psychiatrist from Dallas,TX were asked to co-host the cruise; planning activities, giving lectures and making sure the men were made to feel comfortable. Besides having fun and learning, the cruises have become a 'safe place' for POZ men to meet and relax. The stigmas, stereotypes and drama of gay life seem suspended as soon as we leave shore. Many of our men return year after year renewing friendships and making new ones. This year's cruise is Oct 10-18th 2009 leaving and returning from Ft. Lauderdale and there are limited cabins available. Our next cruise is a Mexican Riviera cruise leaving and returning to Long Beach, CA from May 2-9th, 2010. www.hivcruise.com www.positivecruise.com

"Egypt" lost his mother, father and family in just one week. Imagine being too sad to cry. At the age of twelve, his father told him: "I do not want you boy", and then proceeded to cancel child support a day after his mother died. "Egypt" lived with his older sister, Chastity, who made a living as a beautician by day and at night a stripper. Living in cars, selling drugs, fighting, stealing clothes and being arrested on multiple occasions became his life. Yet, despite all these hardships, "Egypt” received his first degree while being on the "Dean's list", graduated with Phi Theta Kappa Honors, was the 147lbs Florida State boxing champion, and is an award winning actor. Egypt took his anger and channeled it into a passion to improve others: much like his sister Chastity helped him. In less than three years, "Egypt" has appeared on Apollo twice, BET’ 106 & Park, MTV, UPN, NBC, National Public Radio, SEVENTEEN Magazine, HIV PLUS magazine, POZ magazine, New York Daily News, Madison's Who's Who of business executives and professionals in addition to a BET special, “Pos or Not?” all for his dynamic work educating people about HIV, Black history, sex, love and politics. He does this through God, motivational speaking, comedy, acting and poetry. He adopted the name "Egypt" because he plans to influence the world as the great African empire has influenced the earth. Ladies and gentlemen,” Egypt" also known as "Devin T. "Robinson X.

Born and raised in rural South, Georgia, Travis A. Scott discovered his gift of creation at an early age. He is currently writing his debut novel, which is a loose adaptation of the trials & tribulations he encountered as a young, gay man in his early twenties. He has also embraced the mantle of HIV and AIDS activist, as he has recently gone public about living with HIV virus. He looks forward to what the future holds, as he embarks on his journey as an up & coming author, as well as an educator to those who are ignorant of how HIV and AIDS is a very real issue.

Robert Breining and Jack Mackenroth will be discussing how to over come Depression and Suicidal thoughts after a HIV diagnosis. If you deal with these issues or have recovered from them please call in and share your story on the radio show. Sharing your personal story may help someone else who is going through this situation and is feeling alone..Call in and share at 347-215-9442 Feeling down from time to time is a normal part of life. But when emptiness and despair take hold and won't go away, it may be depression. More than just the temporary "blues," the lows of depression make it tough to function and enjoy life like you once did. Hobbies and friends don’t interest you like they used to; you’re exhausted all the time; and just getting through the day can be overwhelming. When you’re depressed, things may feel hopeless, but with help and support you can get better.

Open Mic ... We touched on the National AIDS Memorial Grove , Universal Healthcare , Coming out as a person with HIV and upcoming POZIAM RADIO guests.

Eric Paulukonis manages outreach for the Get REAL Philly program which is collaboration between Mazzoni Center and PHMC (Public Health Management Corporation). This community intervention uses the stories from the real lives of real men across Philadelphia in order to promote discussion and awareness in regards to safer sex, HIV/AIDS, drug and alcohol abuse as well as an assortment of other topics that may compromise the health and well being of men who have sex with men. After receiving is his BA from West Chester University of Pennsylvania he lived in NYC volunteering for various LGBT organizations which eventually lead him to Mazzoni Center allowing him to work with other local community organizations in order to continue to empower and educate our community. Learn more at - www.getrealphilly.org

Felicia Elizondo aka Felica Flames - A Screaming Queen, A Pioneer, A Legend, Icon and Diva. Felicia is also is HIV+ Transgender woman who performs Drag. A tireless fundraiser for the LGBT and AIDS community. Her website was created to educate the younger generations, of her struggles and achievements through out the decades f her life, from the Turk street riots, to her transition from Man to Woman and up to the Modern day. Like many single seniors, Felicia Elizondo faces the reality of aging alone. Felicia’s limited income has left her with little more than what she plans to use toward her burial. Despite the future unknown, Felicia remains positive by connecting with others who are in similar positions. Felicia was featured in The critically acclaimed documentary "Felicia" by Tim O'Hara. Premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival, 2008. and at SF LGBT Frameline Film Festival in 2007.

Infected with HIV as a child through the contaminated blood products used to treat his hemophilia, Shawn learned early in life about discrimination. Within a month of testing positive for the virus, he was kicked out of the 6th grade. By all accounts, he wasn’t expected to live five years. His freshman year of high school, he met his favorite band, Depeche Mode, albeit through the The Make-A-Wish Foundation. After beating the odds and graduating from high school, Shawn opened up about his life with HIV after a decade of silence by creating one of the first “poz blogs”, humorously describing his life as a twenty-year old dating with HIV as a third wheel. He caught the attention of Poz magazine and was invited to the White House under the Clinton Administration on World AIDS Day, 1997. Today Shawn has happily found his wife partner in life, Gwenn Barringer, and the two speak together as a couple, educating about how they keep Gwenn, who is HIV negative, safe in their relationship. Since 1997, Shawn has penned a column for Poz Magazine, entitled “Positoid”, a word he created for himself and others living with HIV. His first book, My Pet Virus: The True Story of a Rebel Without a Cure, was published by the Penguin Group in 2006. In his spare time, he fronts a synthpop trio, Synthetic Division, in his hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia. www.mypetvirus.com

Robert Breining and Jeromy Dunn will be taking your calls all hour long. Open MIC Night allows our listeners to call in and ask questions, share stories or vent about living with HIV/AIDS. Robert and Jeromy will touch a variety of topics during the show such as Acceptance and Disclosure .Call in and share your story on air at 347-215-9442.

Theresa is a 52 year old woman. She has 3 children and 4 grandchildren.She is a LPN, working at a nursing home/Rehab. She has been a nurse for 15yrs. She was diagnosed with AIDS in 2004 at the age of 48. She had no idea she had HIV until her diagnosis. She was diagnosed in the hospital with PCP. Her family is very supportive and had no problems accepting her HIV status. Theresa will share her story of being diagnosed later in life.

Lonny LeFever is a GWM who has been Poz since early 80"s, actually had KS at that time. Lonny had a life partner who lost the battle against HIV/AIDS in April of 1989 and have been single ever since. Not all by choice, but more location and the battle against hate, stigma's and discrimination. Lonny has always been out about his status, there is good that came from that, but also grief. He was charged with 2 degree attempted murder for being accused of intentionally infected a young man. Was sentence to prison for 5-25 years, the young man came forward a year into his sentence, but the State of Ohio refused to release Lonny. He served 3 and half years before released. Lonny is co-infected with Hep C and he refused treatment until May of 1996 after seeing all the horrors his friends and partner went though in the early days. He is a out spoken advocate for issues around HIV/AIDS and still spend much time speaking anywhere he can.

Shirley Jaglowski has been raising awareness and funds within the HIV community since 2000, just two years after she was diagnosed. She has felt the shame that is related to this disease firsthand; and She is committed to doing her part to remove stigma and fear. Shirley was introduced to Positive Pedalers while training for AIDS/LifeCycle 7 and she immediately joined the organization. Why? Because their mission aligned with her personal goal and there is power in numbers. She is honored and proud to join the Board of Directors and look forward to impacting our communities. She hopes to encourage other HIV-positive women and men to come experience Pos Peds.

Robert Breining and Jack Mackenroth talk about living with HIV/AIDS and touched on the ADAP Early Treatment for HIV Summit that was held in Washington DC.

Tom Donohue, thirty year old, son, brother and uncle of three, is the founder director of Who's Positive; a group of individuals infected, affected, sharing real stories about real people with a real commitment to humanizing HIV through firsthand accounts of young adults living with HIV. Since finding out about his own HIV-positive status in October 2003, Tom has dedicated his life to providing opportunity and encouraging HIV testing and raising awareness, a of HIV and its consequences in his peers. Tom has served as part of the commission for LGBTA Equity at Penn State; was the director of the Pennsylvania State AIDS Watch from 2003 to 2005; and was a co-coordinator for the Nor-Easter caravan of the Campaign to End AIDS. For World AIDS Day 2004, Tom was featured on MTV's Jumbotron in New York's Times Square as one of fifty notable HIV/AIDS activists in the world. Tom also served on the board of directors for the North Central District AIDS Coalition in central Pennsylvania and has advocated at the State Capitol of Pennsylvania and the nation’s capitol on various occasions. Tom has spoken to many schools across the country. He was the keynote speaker for the Congressional Global Youth Leadership Conference, he’s been featured in various books and national media outlets such as CNN, NBC News, LOGO and Network. Tom is also a published writer writing articles for publications such as The Advocate and the Global Health Council’s AIDS Link.

When Bryyan Jackson was a baby, his father entered his hospital room and injected a syringe of HIV-tainted blood into his tiny body. At times during his childhood, he was expected to die. Now 18, he'll put on his black cap and gown and graduate from High School in St. Charles, near St. Louis. Shielded from the public for much of his life since his father's high-profile criminal trial a decade ago, Brryan is now an outspoken advocate for people with AIDS, and the power of faith and forgiveness. Brryan has started a nonprofit called Hope Is Vital. He will work this summer with Project Kindle, a Valencia, Calif.-based organization that sponsors summer camps for children affected by the disease. He also serves as a speaker with that group and a St. Peters, Mo.-based ministry, Upward Bound Ministries.

Justin B. Smith, 29, has been an HIV and Gay Civil Rights activist in the Washington DC area for about 10 years. An Air Force veteran, he was honorably discharged with awards and decorations in 2003.He has served and volunteered in several organizations, including the HRC, Whitman Walker Clinic and the National Black Justice Coalition. Justin writes for many publications including GBMNews.com, Baltimore Gay Life,POZIAM and Swerve Magazine. He resides with his partner of 3 years, Dr. Philip Terry, to whom he is recently engaged, in Laurel, MD. Justin created ‘Justin’s HIV Journal’ to advocate for education, prevention and awareness when it comes to HIVIn his journal he tells people about the trials and tribulations when it comes to living with HIV/AIDS.

Mayor Duran was elected to the West Hollywood City Council on March 6, 2001. Throughout his legal career he has worked to defend human rights, including the prominent legal case Kolcum v. L.A. County, where he successfully sued Los Angeles County for denying medication to inmates with HIV/AIDS. Mayor Duran was identified as one of the 20 most influential members of the gay community by "In Los Angeles Magazine." Besides leading the effort for marriage equality in California, he also serves as a role model for HIV positive people as one of four HIV-positive elected officials in the United States. Mayor Duran has been a gay activist since 1985 and is currently writing a history of the gay rights movement in Southern California.

Nicholas Snow has been out of the closet in the media as an openly gay man since 1985. In 1988 he was on the staff of the first ever National Coming Out Day and later also served on the board of the Alliance for Gay and Lesbian Artists in the Entertainment Industry. From 1993 to 1998 he produced and hosted the television show "Tinseltown's Queer!" which he describes as "a queen's version of Larry King" - this morphed into the Nicholas Snow Show with co-host Fabrice Tasendo which ran until 2000. In a dramatic twist in his own storyline due to a collision of circumstances, Snow became HIV positive in August of 2007. He has since founded ActionEqualsLife.com, devoted to raising HIV/AIDS awareness; creating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered civil rights; and supporting human rights in general. Visitors to the web site can watch "Action Equals Life: The Series!" Later this year Snow will record a dance anthem with leading music producer Bruno Brugnano, the music video to be directed by O. Nathapon. The song, "The Power to Be Strong," will inspire HIV testing as part of Snow's "Get Tested, Live Longer" campaign

Brandon Macsata serves as Managing Partner of The Macsata-Kornegay Group, Inc. – a national governmental and public affairs consulting firm specializing in grassroots campaigns and political fundraising. He is widely recognized for ability to connect national, state and local stakeholders interested in influencing public policy. Macsata has extensive experience working with political candidates, national and statewide trade associations, and other corporate entities. First diagnosed as HIV-positive in March 2002, Macsata has dedicated much of his professional and personal life advocating for persons living with AIDS. He currently serves as CEO of the ADAP Advocacy Association (aaa+), a national non-profit organization working to improve the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. From November 2003 to March 2006, he authored a weekly news column on national HIV-related stories for The Weekly News in Miami, Florida. He is also a former ADAP recipient. Brandon will also be discussing the ADAP Advocacy Association's “Early Treatment of HIV Summit ” that will be held July 20th-21st in Washington, DC. Robert and other members of the POZIAM community will be speaking at this event.

Anthony Bongiorno the President of The Friends of AIDS Foundation will share his story. During the 1990’s, Anthony was involved in the drug scene and as a result, found himself picking up several cases. He continued to struggle with the whole drug lifestlye for many years until he met his soon to be wife in 2003. They married and he began to clean up his legal wreckage from the past and was ordered to do time. He took a short leave of absence from work. While away, his wife had an extra-marital affair and contracted the HIV virus. Upon his return home, the virus was transmitted to Anthony and their relationship became strained. The following year she committed suicide and Anthony was now alone. His personal interest is to create a positive impact that will change the future course of the pandemic by helping to develop healthy futures for communities impacted by HIV/AIDS. It is his goal to help bridge the gap for those impacted by this disease by delivering innovative programs that enhance the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and cutting edge programs that empower people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. His motto is “Together We Remain Strong!”

Marvelyn Brown Shares her story and will talk about her autobiography "The Naked Truth". Marvelyn Brown is an Emmy Award winning AIDS Activist and has even appeared on Oprah and MTV and many other tv shows. The surprisingly hopeful story of how a straight, nonpromiscuous, everyday girl contracted HIV and how she manages to stay upbeat, inspired, and more positive about life than ever before. At nineteen years of age, Marvelyn Brown was lying in a stark white hospital bed at Tennessee Christian Medical Center, feeling hopeless. A former top track and basketball athlete, she was in the best shape of her life, but she was battling a sudden illness in the intensive care unit. Doctors had no idea what was going on. It never occurred to Brown that she might be HIV positive. Having unprotected sex with her Prince Charming had set into swift motion a set of circumstances that not only landed her in the fight of her life, but also alienated her from her community. Rather than give up, however, Brown found a reason to fight and a reason to live. The Naked Truth is an inspirational memoir that shares how an everyday teen refused to give up on herself, even as others would forsake her. More, it's a cautionary tale that every parent, guidance counselor, and young adult should read.

Ken Howard will be speaking with POZIAM Radio .Ken is a gay, poz psychotherapist and life coach in Los Angeles. Ken has been poz for 19 years, and has worked with gay/poz men to "Have the Life You Want!", by doing in-person counseling, an iTunes Podcast, newsletter, and various public speaking engagements. On Ken's website he has an archive of the many articles he wrote as the HIV mental health columnist for A&U magazine for two years. Ken also chaired the Los Angeles County HIV Mental Health Task Force for 10 years, and co-chaired their annual HIV Mental Health conference along with UCLA/Pacific AIDS Education and Training Center.

KengiKat will share his amazing story. Kengi’s life took a turn that he never thought could or would ever happen in February 2007. He had just recently buried his Pops after caring for him for over 3 years. was also in my 5th battle with cancer. Homeless for 22 months , April 2008 Kengi was told he was HIV+. Not only was he homeless and battling a life long fight with Sickle Cell, Cancer and now HIV. Kengi thought he was already sinking, but with being told was now HIV positive he felt as if someone had just tied two anchors to my ankles and I was now being pulled under. While Kengi was homeless he created an outreach program to draw attention and raise awareness as well as provide support for people who suffer through homelessness. Do Something Saturday .On the year anniversary of him being HIV positive Kengi launched two outreaches Unplugging HIV~empowering a positive life and Kengi's get tested party. Unplugging HIV is a monthly outreach to low income and homeless people living with HIV and AIDS His Blog network- Project KengiKAT was started as a way for him to raise awareness for issues that face people who are homeless, however today it also seeks to raise awareness for people battling HIV and AIDS.

Sunday June 14th at 9pm EST Youth HIV/AIDS educator Bob Bowers also known as " Da Pirate" returns to POZ I AM Radio. Bob is a 25-year thriving survivor of HIV/AIDS. To broaden his message of prevention through education, survival, hope and compassion, he founded HIVictorious, Inc., which is based in Madison, Wisconsin. He is a powerful and motivating speaker that reaches out to a large array of diverse audiences. He is a tireless and passionate advocate helping to shape HIV/AIDS policy. He is also active in fund-raising events, camps for youth affected or infected by HIV, guest-speaking engagements at colleges, jails, community organizations, and high schools and middle schools. Bob is truly dedicated to making a lasting difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS, as well as addressing AIDS stigma and other social issues. www.hivictorious.org www.onetoughpirate.com www.whatifitwereyou.org  

Wednesday June 10th at 2pm EST Jim Frederick a HIV+ Artist will be sharing his story with POZIAM Radio. Jim is a Midwest boy, who grew up in Washington, Missouri. He has a double bachelors degree in Advertising and Marketing. After one brief year with a small advertising agency, He started his own t-shirt business. He designed under the label Jymwear Dallas for a little over 10 years. Selling to a national market was challenging but it left him wanting more creatively. What started out at a hobby creating greeting cards Jim created Jim Frederick Studios which is growing strong with over 150 designs in both greeting cards and gift totes. The biggest surprise and Jim’s newest passion is his fine Art. You can view his gallery at www.jimfederickstudios.com

Nina's premature birth in San Jose, California facilitated the need for a blood transfusion that infected her with the HIV virus in 1983. However, it was 1991 before her infection came to light during an accidental preoperative test; she was eight years old. This discovery began an investigation into the U.S.Department of Defense, which had known of her donor's HIV-positive status two years before her diagnosis. Prompted by her case, the Department of Defense's "Blood Look Back" program now requires a practice of case non-closure if a blood recipient cannot be immediately located. Nearly twenty-six years after her infection, Nina holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics and government from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and she is a candidate for the Master of Science in Public Health in the summer of 2009 from Emory University in Atlanta.

Mark Olmsted is a long-term survivor who dates his seroconversion from New York in the early 80s, where he also graduated from NYU with a degree in film. In 1989 he moved to the West Coast, where he took care of his brother, who died of AIDS in 1991. Mark was diagnosed with full-blown AIDS in 1993, and lived for the next several years with the assumption they were his last, as he pursued a screenwriting career . He developed a crystal meth habit, which in turn led to drug-dealing to support his addiction. In 2004, he was arrested, and spent 9 months in various California prisons. While incarcerated, his sister offered to start a blog documenting his life as an out HIV+ inmate, a blog which he continued upon his release. He recently celebrated 4 years of sobriety.

Robert Breining and Jeromy Dunn will be speaking with Steve Albert. Steve was diagnosed HIV+ in 1988 ,his partner at the time died from complications of AIDS in November of 1989 His Mom was his biggest support outside of the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT)She passed away in 1992 and after meeting his current partner he relocated to a small town north of Toronto where he came up against a lot of ignorance and and fear and was subsequently fired from a job. With the help of the local ASO Peterborough AIDS Resource Network (PARN) Steve was able to speak at a town meeting and help in educating the locals. Steve continued to volunteer for this organization until he moved back to Toronto with my partner in 2005. At that point Steve decided to go to school and obtain my diploma in social work.After graduating Steve was diagnosed with Hep C at which point he elected to take the Interferon treatment.The treatment was very difficult and for a year he was unable to function up to my normal potential however after it was completed, Steve was cleared of the virus so it made it all worth it.

Robert Breining and Dab Garner from -Dab the AIDS Bear Project _will be speaking with Alina Oswald. Alina is a freelance writer/photographer and author living in NYC area. Her works have appeared in publications like "A&U," "NY Blade" and "Out IN Jersey" and in NYC art galleries like Visual AIDS ("Postcards from the Edge") and Leslie-Lohman ("Strike A Pose"). Her own photography show is "Backbone," hosted by 32 Jones Gallery in Jersey City. Her new books include "Journeys Through Darkness," a biography of an award-winning photographer left legally-blind by CMV retinitis and "Backbone" a collection of images celebrating queer courage, from the show with the same name.

Claes Lilja shares why he started the Brotherhood Retreats. This 5-day retreat is an international gathering of HIV-positive gay and bi-sexual men who seek to enrich their lives through deeper insights, awareness and connections to both the community and oneself. We will be learning about medical, psychological and spiritual tools to help create healthier and more fulfilling lives while forging bonds and friendships with other HIV-positive gay men from different parts of the world. The program will include informational and instructional sessions as well as exercises and participation by all the attendees with attention given to the full body-mind-spirit connection. We will also have plenty of time for social activities with movie screenings, nature hikes, and some parties. Learn more- www.pozretreats.com

Mikey was born in Lancaster Pa. and has lived in Harrisburg, Baltimore and now resides in Santa Cruz Ca. He was a gymnast for 18 years and placed in the top 10 on the floor exercise in the north Atlantic championships in college. He is a certified diamondtologist and gemologist with Diamond Council of America. He worked as a male stripper in Baltimore Md. for five years and has been a personal assistant to hair stylist who does non-surgical hair replacement for cancer patients, people with trichotillomania, and the transgender community. Since he was diagnosed with AIDS he is now speaking at HIV/AIDS trainings, colleges and schools in his area, Mikey just completed filming a documentary for the Youth Empowering Youth Project about how he found out he had AIDS.

Living with an illness can be very emotionally and physically draining. The psychological toll in itself is huge. Healing Waters exists to help you step outside from all of that for a day or weekend -- we offer incredibly fun weekend and weekday trips open to people with HIV and AIDS. Our participant trips have been designed specifically with the special needs of individuals living with HIV/AIDS in mind. For low fees, we are able to provide transportation, insurance, accommodation (tents, sleeping bags and pads), equipment, instruction, and any warm clothing you may need including rain jackets, wool socks, and much more. The meals we provide are specially designed to be high in protein and nutritionally balanced as well. We also welcome caregivers and partners on our trips regardless of their HIV status, for the same low price. A bit apprehensive? Most people who join us on our trips are new to outdoor sports and many have never been camping. Our programs have been designed to accommodate all skill levels and we strongly encourage beginners to join us! www.hwaters.org