Justin's HIV Journal: Justin B Smith was Interviewed by Channel 9 about Blogging in Public and Private

Justin's HIV Journal: Justin B Smith was interviewed by Channel 9 about Blogging in Public and Private



I was at Bus Boys and Poets in Washington DC and a news reporter came up to me and asked me for an interview. I gladly accepted and was put on the air that very night. The interview was pleasant and I got some phone calls from relatives that didn't know about my status. I guess this goes to show you that whatever you put out there will be there for life and everyone can see it. So whether it's facebook, myspace, youtube.com, be careful.

I have always be very outspoken and proud of who I am. I don't think there is anyone that can take that away from me.

After the interview my partner and I went back into Bus Boys and Poets on 5th and K street DC. It was poetry night and it was awesome. I bought him a rose and dinner on me. We had a blast.

I highly recommend it !!!!!!!!!

Here is the story from Washington DC Channel 9 see it low

WASHINGTON (WUSA) -- When Justin Smith launched his blog about being HIV positive, he did think about the possibility of losing his job at the IRS.

"I was very fearful," he said. "I really thought about my future and what this could mean for me and I realize the greater good is to actually educate people. People need to know that people are contracting HIV especially in the DC area at record numbers."

So he educates people with his stories and YouTube videos chronicling his experience. The Silver Spring native contracted HIV in 2005, two years after he was honorably discharged from the Air Force. The stories at times can get personal. That's a risk Smith is willing to take.

"Anything you put out there you must know it will come back to you," he warned. "People will see it and say, 'Oh this is Justin.' You have to be very cautious about what you put out there."

His advice is right on the mark, if you ask social networking advisors. Qui Diaz works for the online company CRT/Tanaka, a group founded by local blogging guru Geoff Livingston. Employees there help companies and individuals weave their way through the ever-changing world of online communications and social networking sites. Diaz said people have been fired for blogging.

"Everything's open and it's permanent," she said. "So it's not just about your current job and whether or not you have a job but it's what's logged on Google for life."

Diaz said the expectations may change in the future, however.

"As our current generation comes up and takes higher management roles we might see a wave of policies evolve overtime," she said.

That's an evolution Smith is banking on. In fact, he's already seen progress in the way people receive his posts.

"Somebody actually commented on one of my first entries: 'We need soldiers like Justin.'" he paused. "If they need soldiers like me I'm ready to sign up."

Written by Brittany Morehouse
9NEWS NOW & wusa9.com

Justin HIV Journal Washington DC AIDS 5K Run 2009

Hello EVERYONE,

It's Justin B Smith from Justin's HIV Journal. Those of you that know me know that I'm a HIV Activist and I work to expand prevention, education and awareness in all communities.


Well, It's that time again, it's Whitman Walker's AIDS Walk/5k Run. I started doing the AIDS Walk/5K Run last year and I've made a pledge to keep running as long as my body will let me. I want to help the DC community espeically to fight this disease. Ever since the newest statistics came out about the rising HIV rates in DC I want to work harder to get the word out that we need to help organizations like Whitman Walker Clinic that provide services to people that are infected and affected with this disease.

That’s why I'm asking for your help. I'm running this year and sponsorship is important. We need to help each and our community by saying we will not give this disease any more power. We will not let it carry off our borthers and sisters, LGBTI or Heterosexual. We will survive. I will Survive.

If you go to the link below it will take you to the Whitman Walker Clinic's sponsorship page where you can make a donation. Please every little bit helps

Last year I raise $700.00 by myself. This year I want to set the goal higher, I want to raise $1000.00 for HIV prevention, education and awareness. So join me in my, THE FIGHT.

Here is the page you can make a donation for the fight against AIDS

SPONSOR HERE AT THE LINK BELOW:
Sponsor Justin B Smith for the AIDS Walk CLICK HERE

Here is the video Justin's HIV Journal from Washington DC's 2008 AIDS 5K/WALK.

Justin HIV Journal: Justin Goes to San Francisco

Justin's HIV Journal Went on travel to San Francisco. Justin and his partner Phil decided to go to San Francisco because the NBJC National Black Coalition was holding their annual Black Church Summit there. It was Justin's first time there and he had a blast. So check out the video and get a glimpse into Justin's life

I had never been to San Francisco until March 27th it was great. There was so much to do and go. It was hard to fit the whole trip into 10 minutes. 10 minutes is all YouTube.com allows you to have when uploading videos. I've seen videos that have been very long and I'm wondering how people do it, please someone let me know.

So when we first got on the plane I've never flowned Virgin America. It was great that airline has to be my favorite. It had leather seating and an interactive television seat in the seat in front of you so you could watch TV and movies. Okay I admit I watch the L Word like twice on the plane. Also if you wanted food there were buttons you could push to order a specified kind of food. The television in front of you was a touch screen. And all this in coach!!!

The first site I saw of San Francisco that morning was Market Street. I wasn't convinced that this was the only part of San Francisco. I was supposed to meet up with my friend Kengi Carr, but he was not feeling to well. Little did I know my partner had it planned out. He has been to the west coast and he knew what I would like to go see.

Okay yes I thought it was awesome the way the bathroom's worked, only because in DC we don't have that. If you look at the video you will see what I'm talking about.

So we started off in downtown and road a couple trolleys to some stores. Lets just say I did "some shopping" while I was there. Then headed towards the beautiful Castro district. The Castro District known as the gay district but since it's San Francisco it's almost gay everywhere. As I was walking in the Castro I noticed that on the theatre there was a sign. It read,"This weekend the Gay Porn Awards". As the night got later and later and later. More and more people filled the streets. There were dressed and ready to kill. I met up with some porn actors and had a great time. They were really nice and friendly.



We saw City Hall and I was very proud to go to some of the same place that Harvey B Milk did. He was an inspiration to the Gay Rights Movement across the country. Harvey Bernard Milk (May 22, 1930 – November 27, 1978) was an American politician and the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California, as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Milk served 11 months in office and was responsible for passing a stringent gay rights ordinance for the city. On November 27, 1978, Milk and Mayor George Moscone were assassinated by Dan White, another city supervisor who had recently resigned but wanted his job back.

Quiet Time

We went to go see Muir Woods, where the Redwood trees are and it was beautiful. . When my partner and I walked in Muir Woods for the first time, it felt like magic. I felt at home in the woods, so I really appreciated it for what it was. I loved it. I saw a beautiful hummingbird that was moving way to fast for my camera and a cute forest mouse that was building himself a home. We walked the trail and took a lot of pictures.

Next it was time to go to Twin Peaks. Twin Peaks is the highest elevation you can go and see all of San Francisco in it's glory. I could see if it was nighttime why it would be a romantic spot for lovers. It was beautiful. In Castro there was one of the biggest flags I'd ever seen and you could see it from Twin Peaks.

Another attraction was the Golden Gate Bridge. Of course I had to see it before I left. It looks so beautiful and breathe taking.