This segment was done in 2010 on the
Logo TV Network online. Ongina Ryan was on Season 1 of RuPaul's Drag
Race. She hosted the show where she interviewed HIV positive gay men,
including friend and activist Robert Breining. It was so fun I thought I
would share it. I was able to e-mail one of the producers of Logo that
was able to get this series for me. The reason why its legal to post
this is because it was an limited online series that was later taken
down. But I had such a great time at the shoot. My friend Damian was
with me the whole way in support. After the shoot was over he gave me a
tour of NY and it was great fun I loved it. On RuPaul's Drag race
after the MAC Cosmetics Challenge which benefited in the fight against
HIV/AIDS Ongina Ryan began to cry. She then admitted to being HIV
positive for the last 2 years and that it meant so much to her when she
won the MAC Cosmetics Challenge. This was on NATIONAL TELEVISION. When
I saw that I thought to myself what a brave soul and when I was given
the e-mail that I would be working with her I was so excited. I did NOT
want this chance of meeting her to get away from me. She was beautiful
and such a professional. She also commented on how nice my leather
pants were lol ANYWAYS enjoy the segment.
Justin B. Terry-Smith has been involved in LGBTQ and HIV Activism since 1999. He is an Air Force 9/11 Disabled Vet. Raised in Silver Spring, MD, he now lives in Albuequerque, New Meixco with his husband Phil. He writes an HIV/STI Advice Column for A&U Magazine, is a Contributing writer for thebody.com, a Life Coach and an Adjunct Professor. He has earned his Doctorate in Public Health with a concentration in Infectious Disease and his Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
