Justin's HIV Journal: Rapist finds out his victim has HIV

According to the International Business Times, a 27 year old man in Manchester (UK) name Richard Thomas collapsed and was admitted to the hospital after he was told by police that his victim he had raped a month ago, had HIV.

The Bolton News Report had stated before the crime that Thomas admitted to using drugs and drinking alcohol and has no recollection of what he had done. When Thomas had broken into the victims house she was had taken sleeping pills before the attack. Thomas admits to knowing the victim had a medical issue but did not know what the medical issue was


Counsel for Thomas, Virginia Hayton stated in court,

"It is his own fault, if he had not committed this offense he would not have placed himself in this position."

"...is remorseful and cannot understand why he did it and it is troubling him."

Thomas added after admitting to the rape, "She would not lie, she tells the truth. If she says I have done it, I have done it."

Judge Mark Brown sentenced Thomas to 5 years and 4 months in jail and was order to sign the sex offender registry for the rest of his life.

An HIV test has been administered to Thomas to find out whether he is HIV positive.

COMMENT BELOW 

Justin's HIV Journal: Just*in Time HIV Advice Column: September 2013

Justin, Hello, I have tried to send you a friend request after I sent this message because I thought I would ask you for permission to become your friend on Facebook. I really admire you as far as thework that you do for the HIV and gay community. I just wanted to share with you that I am a very closet-type person. I don’t know a lot of people, strictly by choice. I am gay—not DL (down low) or bisexual, but gay. Because of the lack of education that people have and their stupidity about it, I keep it to myself. July 22nd will make ten years for me being HIV-positive. Never have had to take medication, never have been hospitalized for it and that is a blessing. I have a personal issue about something and I know I can get an honest answer from you. Why is Magic Johnson the face of HIV or whenever they use somebody it’s always like that? Let me explain. Why does the media or news outlets never show the truth about HIV, you know, the having to take pills, and the going to the clinic, and being hospitalized. Why is the hardcore stuff never shown? Personally I think it would help if it was really shown how HIV breaks your body down. Well, thank you for your time. I really appreciate all that you do you. —DD First let me say thank you so much for e-mailing me. Facebook will only allow a certain amount of friends per person (hint, hint: try looking up J.B. Terry-Smith). Well, I can see you have a loaded question that could have a lot of different answers. You have to take into consideration that Magic Johnson was one of the first professional athletes to come out and say that he was infected with the virus. In 1991 that was almost unheard of and it took a lot of bravery and courage to openly tell the public about his HIV status, especially being a celebrity and professional athlete. I believe he helped a lot of people in encouraging them to disclose their status or get tested or go for treatment. Johnson retired in the same year but came back to play in an All-Stars game in 1992. Now, twenty-two years after his HIV disclosure he has given his time and energy into raising money for HIV/AIDS awareness. Also let me say to my other readers that just because he is still living doesn’t mean in any way, shape, or form he is free of HIV or cured. It just means he has taken care of himself and also has the money to do so. It is now 2013 and he is no longer “the face of HIV” in my opinion; anyone who is open with their status, not only to their partners, friends, and family but to the world, is “a face of HIV.” There is no one specific person who could hold that title. That being said, celebrities and athletes are able to raise awareness of a disease a lot faster than people in the general population. People in the general population usually listen to people like Magic Johnson, Ellen, Don Lemon, Anderson Cooper, etc., because they are trusted spokespersons on issues that affect us all. Over time media outlets have shown people infected with HIV in the hospital, taking HIV medications, etc., but now we have YouTube where we ourselves can show the truth about HIV. I know on my YouTube channel I show all of those things. But that is only my truth about HIV, there are several others like myself, Robert Breining, Patrick Rio Kay, Mark S. King, Marvelyn Brown, Maria Mejia, Dab Garner, Jose Ramirez, Anthony Polimeni, Aaron Laxton, AJ King, etc., who are faces of HIV activism. We don’t have the money other (famous) spokespeople might have, or get the recognition we deserve, but our hearts are just as big if not bigger. We are all dedicated to eradicating this disease from our communities and from the earth. Now, my question to you, DD, and to the rest of my readers is: What are you doing to help fight HIV in your community? Keep on fighting the good fight and we will win the war.

Justin's HIV Journal: Positively Aware's A Day With HIV In America HIV Campaign

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LIVE WITH HIV? Positively Aware magazine wants you to think about that question. Because, whether you're positive or negative, we are all affected by HIV. On Sept. 21, take a snapshot of a moment from your everday life. Use your digital camera or cell phone camera, and capture a scene: Getting ready for work. Hanging out with friends. Spending a quiet moment alone. Caring for someone with HIV. The idea is to come up with your own response to the question, What does it mean to live with HIV? TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT Once you've taken your picture, email it to artdirector@positivelyaware.com. Include your name (and the names of anyone else in your photo) and phone number (so that we can call to verify you are who you say you are), your HIV status (if you want), and a caption describing the scene, giving your location and the time you took the picture. Also, please indicate whether you want your name and HIV status included in the caption we publish. Photos can be in JPEG, TIF, or RAW file format, and must have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi at 4 x 5 inches. They can be color or black and white photos. Cell phone camera photos are acceptable, provided that they meet resolution requirements. Selected photos will appear in a special section of the November-December issue of Positively Aware. Additional photo submissions will be available for viewing at www.ADayWithHIVinAmerica.com. Remember: Picture Day is Sept. 21. Deadline is Sept. 23. Send photos and questions to artdirector@positivelyaware.com THIS WAS MY PICTURE FOR LAST YEAR IN 2012's A DAY WITH HIV IN AMERICA'S CAMPAIGN for POSITIVELY AWARE MAGAZINE

PIC OF THE DAY from last year's A Day with HIV: 11:30 PM: Laurel, Maryland. Justin B. Terry-Smith (pictured, right): “When I found out I was HIV-positive, I thought I wouldn’t have any children and it destroyed me. Yesterday, my husband Phillip and I were approved for foster/adoption of two children. We currently have one foster care LGBT teen. For my husband and my foster son, I stay healthy and take my meds.” On Saturday, Sept. 21st, take your best shot against HIV! Use your smartphone or digital camera on that day and capture a moment of your life. Share your story. #adaywithhiv #antistigma

TeenAIDS’ Guinness World Record Testing Youth

The Latest Information on TeenAIDS’ Guinness World Record Testing Youth

I want you to be the first to know that on September 7th, TeenAIDS will be setting an important Guinness World Record for the most youths tested “live” for HIV in a public venue at the same time. Our goal is to call attention to the rapidly growing youth epidemic (CDC), end the stigma against testing, and get many more teens aware of their status so they don’t unknowingly pass the unseen virus onto unsuspecting partners – and future babies. My press release is going out as soon as we've raised the needed funds to buy enough test kits ($39 each plus tax) and announce the number.

I need your financial help as soon as possible to buy these kits that are much too expensive for teens and college youth (your donation is tax-deductible).

What: The FDA approved the first over the counter sale of the test kits in mid-2012 for anyone 17 and older. Based on my knowledge of the problem, TeenAIDS became the only entity in the U.S. to bring testing directly to teens in public venues like busy city streets, at sports events, malls and skateboard parks. The test uses an oral swab that collects saliva, not blood and needles requiring lab work by medical technicians. In 20 minutes the results are ready with 99% accuracy. This new technology allows us to use the kits as an innovative breakthrough in the fight to stop youth HIV/AIDS.  We want others to follow our example.

In Washington, D.C. on June 13 Emma shows a high school couple how the test kit works. They tested negative and posted the news immediately on their Facebook pages. Nathan waits for other teens getting off at the metro stop as school gets out.

Why: Two decades ago in my doctoral thesis "Adolescents and AIDS: The Coming Wave" (Harvard, Ed.D.), I predicted that all maturing youth regardless of gender, ethnicity and orientation, would be at greater risk as the average age dropped lower and gained a foothold within the youth population. Many people scoffed at that claim but today the evidence is real. The CDC reports that one out of four new cases is occurring among 13-24 years olds, an amazing increase from the early years when the number was one out of twenty. Youth are now the fastest growing population with HIV. The CDC has recommended annual testing for everyone 13 and up -- but with little success. Currently 90% of young people have never been tested because they choose not to go to traditional testing sites like hospitals and clinics. Too many still believe that AIDS is only an adult problem. Nothing is further from the truth.

How: As many of you know, I have been an activist in the campaign to aggressively target youth. We buy kits as money comes in and then bring our AIDS prevention message and testing directly to often skeptical teens. Over the years I have developed special psychological hooks to grab their attention. My team of trained college interns put on live demonstrations under my direction. Curious crowds always gather. Any consenting young person 17 and older can take a free test after counseling and signing a waiver. Many of you will be surprised that young people feel more comfortable in a public environment because they are among empathetic peers, not serious adults in lab coats. Others find out that the kits can be easily bought at any drugstore for use at home similar to pregnancy tests. We never announce positive results but explain privately that it could be "false positive" or is indeterminate so a confirmatory test is needed (like a second opinion from doctors).

Our first major “live” testing took place in Virginia Beach on April 7 at our “5 K Run to Stop Youth AIDS.” High School senior Candice, 18, volunteered to be tested in front of a crowd of hundreds and TV cameras. No, I didn’t race but I cheered them on as I do for all youth helping our cause.

Where: We have been testing publicly across Virginia, rural North Carolina and downtown Washington, D.C. (see TV links at end). Now we are taking the campaign nationwide. Starting Labor Day, we are holding “live” demonstrations across eastern and central Massachusetts (Boston Common, Harvard Square, Concord MBTA train station and Worcester at Clark). And our Guinness Book of World Records' site is in Fitchburg my hometown, at a major youth festival with music, dance and the mass testing. Interested volunteers will step onto a stage in front of hundreds of attendees and TV cameras from the New England media market. Doctors, nurses, social workers and college interns are assisting during the mass testing. Bystanders always take out their cell phones to text, video and post to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, bringing the news to tens of thousands in minutes. TV will inform half a million about this unique awareness and prevention technique, another TeenAIDS’ initiative with major local, regional and national impact.

Washington D.C. affiliates of CBS and ABC shoot our live testing on July 9 for the evening news. Because these are the first public events of its kind in the U.S. & world, media are attracted

When: Saturday, September 7th at 2 pm. We hope to have it streamed live and will post pictures immediately and videos within a few days. Like us on Facebook.

Rationale: The majority of teens begin sex by 16. At 18, a majority has had at least three partners often without using condoms. The CDC estimates that 20-25% of people living with HIV don’t know their status and are possibly transmitting the virus to others. I believe these numbers are underreported. A major health crisis requires bold action and needs adequate funding from concerned citizens like you. I don't deny that the concept is controversial and upsetting to some who wonder why teens and AIDS need to be a subject for polite public discourse. Virginia Beach, the largest city in the state tried to ban our work with threats of $10,000 fines and possible arrest but we proceeded nevertheless. After an official complaint was registered with Virginia's Attorney General, our lawyer demanded that my input be heard and filed a Freedom of Information request that was honored within two weeks. When I gave notice of possible court action in the event of an adverse ruling, the AG’s office declined to intercede. We won on "free speech" grounds. I never doubted the outcome. We are now free to test anywhere. 

We have secured all the necessary permits. Yet we have 2 days to pay for the liability insurance, buy tickets to Boston for me and a TeenAIDS’ coordinator, rent the tents and sound system, arrange printing and publicity -- and purchase the expensive test kits before a Guinness Book challenge can be achieved. It is my hope that our record is soon broken many times over in thousands of locations here and abroad because my goal is have as many youth tested as quickly as possible. If you have followed my career you know that I am determined to affect major changes in the ways that HIV/AIDS prevention with youth has traditionally been done.

I need your financial help as soon as possible (donations are tax-deductible). Please call me today with your credit/debit card and I will personally and confidentially handle your donation: 757-352-2055 (office) or 978-855-1668 (cell and best number to reach me after August 31 when I arrive in Massachusetts for a week of testing). You can also send money by Moneygram or Western Union care of “John Chittick” in Norfolk, Virginia; it’s cash that will be deposited the same day. Or you can go online to our website www.teenaids.org and securely pay by PayPal. Checks made out to “TeenAIDS” can be sent to P.O. Box 8460, Norfolk, VA 23503.

                                         You can make the difference.

Together we are educating vulnerable teens and saving young lives. From the bottom of my heart, Dr. John 

To my Massachusetts friends: I will be holding an informational “party” in Boston on Wednesday, September 4th starting at 5:30 pm (until 7 or so), to address a press conference about the Guinness Record and show clips from my public testing and global walks. Mayor Thomas Menino’s Proclamation making Friday, September 6^th “Youth AIDS Day” for our Boston Common testing will be read. The location is the trendy “Living Room Boston” Restaurant and Lounge at 101 Atlantic Avenue in the Mercantile Wharf Building on the Waterfront. Valet parking ($20) is available. A cash bar and appetizers can be ordered off the menu (dinner is also served). Please feel free to bring guests.

 

The Living Room Restaurant and Bar (previously “101 Atlantic”) has been long time supporters.

P.S. I am bringing public testing to NYC (Washington Square and Times Square) over Columbus Day weekend -- then onto LA and Miami in November.