Happy fall, y'all!
I hope we're all doing well. I hope we're reading, eating well, and taking care of our well-beings. If not, than let's get on that.
I'm sure many have assumed I left this blog by the wayside. Quite the contrary. I've spent the bulk of this year stretching You. Me. HIV. from an underground HIV community to a real-live book!
One thing I realized when I first started this blog, was how much work had to be done in order to educate Americans on what HIV is, and what life looks like for long-term survivors, the newly-diagnosed, and those who are living at high-risk. Because of the stigma that insists on holding back the progress that's been made in the HIV community, getting the information out there isn't easy. Over the next few months, I'll be sharing the process of getting You. Me. HIV. published and out to the public. The goal is to keep the book FREE and accessible. A of people feel a need to remind me how hard this is going to be, how much this is going to cost, how I'm going to have to make sure I take care of trademarking, proofreading, medical legitimacy, etc. I remind them that I worry about the work and never worry about the hows, because, the hows are the domain of the universe. All I have to do is write with good intention and get the work done.
In the meantime, there are two ways you can continue to get involved and stay in the know.
1- Keep talking about You. Me. HIV.! Spread the word and the knowledge by letting friends and loved ones know that the information is out there. We should all know what HIV and AIDS stands for. We should all be able to define undetectable and serodiscordant. HIV isn't a social and medical issue reserved only for those living with the virus. It's a worldwide epidemic, and the only way we're going to beat it is by outsmarting it!
2- If you're positive, come out of the closet! Even if it's just telling one friend, or a sibling or trusted co-worker, tell them! The more people come out, the less frightening it will be for future generations. One of the best ways to come out is by sharing your story with You. Me. HIV. Your name will be withheld if you wish, but just you sharing your story will move mountains. You don't have to post fliers about living with HIV throughout your city, but don't shy away from being open with your status. You have nothing to be ashamed of and every reason to own it.
While You. Me. HIV. continues to transition from blog to book, feel free to check out my other work and projects.
Facebook: You. Me. HIV.
Twitter : https://twitter.com/youmehivnow
Snapchat: SheWritesToLive
Email : shewritestolive@gmail.com
Remember, "Out of many, come one"
xoxo,
Tams
