Justin's HIV Journal at the Brooklyn Museum and La Mama Galleria

I received an e-mail from a curator from an organization called Visual AIDS.  Visual AIDS was Founded in 1988, and it is the only Arts organization that is fully committed to increasing HIV/AIDS awareness and creating dialog around HIV issues today.  Visual AIDS produces and presents visual art projects, exhibitions, public forums and publications, while assisting artists living with HIV.  
I was invited by Visual AIDS to come up to NY and speak on a panel.  It was amazing I really enjoyed myself.  It put somethings into prospective for me.  One aspect about being an artist sometimes you never know how much for work impacts others and how much it impacts you to see it through another person’s eyes.  I got very emotional seeing the message I sent to my brothers it was hard but it helped me a little bit.  Thank you to the curators Jean Carlomusto, Alexandra Juhasz and Hugh Ryan.  Also, thank you so much to Alex Fialho who helped me with transportation and hung out with me for a bit while in NY.  The exhibit was called, “Everyday”.  "Everyday" explores the AIDS crisis (historically and currently) through the lens of art and ephemera that looks at and evidences daily experiences & practices in response to HIV/AIDS.
The exhibition includes artwork and ephemera by Babycastles, Anne Balsamo, Barton Lidice Beneš, Jean Carlomusto, Curtis Carman, Paul Chisholm, Ian Clyde, darkroom danny, T De Long, Chloe Dzubilo, Delphine Fawundu-Buford, fierce pussy, Avram Finkelstein, Peggy Frank, Fuck Laws Flash Collective, Gay Men's Health Crisis, Carl George, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, John Hanning, Eva Hayward, Edward Hochschild, Mark S. King, Kia Labeija, Carol Leigh, Nancer Lemoins, Gin Fong Louie, Dale MacDonald, Joyce McDonald, Juanita Mohammed, Ray Navarro, Luna Luis Ortiz, Grahame Perry, Poster Virus, LJ Roberts, Randy Freedomclay Rogers, Fábian Rios Rubino, Ivan Safrin, Dudley Saunders, Loren Schmidt, James Simmonds, Michael Slocum, Southern Living AIDS Quilt, Zara Steadman, Hugh Steers, Nelson Sullivan, Justin B. Terry-Smith, Prashast Thapan, The NAMES Project, James Wentzy, Frederick Weston, Jessica Whitbread, Jon Winet, Albert Winn and Tanya Wischerath.
This is the first time Justin’s HIV Journal was showcased in a galleria then to go to the Brooklyn Museum and see Justin’s HIV Journal on a big screen was amazing.
A very special shoutout to Drea De Aragao and Damien Basile for coming out and supporting me!!!
Click the link to go to the Visual AIDS site
https://www.visualaids.org/events/detail/everyday

Justin B Terry-Smith's answers questions on Side Effects of PrEP and How he found out he had HIV

Hi Justin—I heard your dissertation is on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Can you tell me what the side effects of PrEP are?
—Robert

Justin,
What did it feel like when you got HIV? Did you notice your body change? And, if so, did you think it was nothing? Or can you just not tell at all if you are positive?
—Aaron

Justin answers these questions on A&U Magazine's website please click the link below 

http://www.aumag.org/2016/11/27/justin-time-november-2016/

or 

Click here

#HIV Diagnosis Justin answers How did you find out you are positive—of course it was by testing but what led you to go and test for HIV?

H

i Justin—

Greetings from Accra. I cannot stop admiring your online posts and pictures and your positive attitude toward life. This makes me wonder if you are really HIV-positive because you do not fit the popular image of a person living with HIV as melancholy and lonely. Most people here do not disclose and are living in silence because of stigma. This brings me to the question: How did you find out you are positive—of course it was by testing but what led you to go and test for HIV? Did you have symptoms? What were they? How long after your exposure to the virus did you get tested?

These appear to be personal questions. It’s okay if you do not wish to answer any of them. Thanks and regards. Good health and blessings to you.

Justin's Answer can be found in the link below

http://www.aumag.org/2016/10/18/justin-time-october-2016/

Justin B Terry-Smith talks #PrEP and Sexual Empowerment in the latest edition of Just*in Time from A&U Magazine

In the latest edition of A&U Magazine America's AIDS Magazine I talk to a reader about Sexual Empowerment and PrEP.  

1st step in #HIV #prevention is sexual health empowerment • JUST*IN TIME by Justin B.Terry-Smith.

Dear Justin—

I hope you get to read this because I’m in desperate need of an

answer about HIV prevention.

I actually met you years ago when you were the speaker at Howard University for Black AIDS Awareness. I was a freshman then and I didn’t know a lot about HIV. I think the reason why is because I didn’t know how to accept the fact that I was gay. When I finally acknowledged it, I thought about your presentation at Howard University. It scared me because I didn’t want to be HIV-positive. I had a boyfriend and we had sex only about twenty-five times. He was very abusive verbally at first and that really took a toll on my self-esteem; then he became physically abusive and would throw things at me in the house, punching me, smacking me, etc. I left him and now I have a new boyfriend.

My new boyfriend is amazing, but he is also HIV-positive.  He doesn’t want to use condoms but he wants me to go on PrEP; I kinda already know what I want to do but I really wanted to know what you would do in this situation. Do not worry—I’m not basing my decision on what you say, but I am going to take it into consideration.

—A

To see my answer to the reader please click on the link below:

http://www.aumag.org/2016/07/20/justin-time-july-2016/

Justin's HIV Journal Videos Showcased at the Brooklyn Museum Exhibit!!

GREAT NEWS: Some of the videos from Justin's HIV Journal will be SHOWCASED in the Brooklyn Museum with other HIV Activists Mark S. King, Carol Leigh, Juanita Mohammed, Luna Luis Ortiz Photography, Southern AIDS Living Quilt, James Wentzy and the late Nelson Sullivan (1948-1989) & Ray Navarro (1964-1990) The exhibit will officially open Dec. 1st (World AIDS Day) but there will be a free showing Saturday, December 3, 2016 from 7:00pm–9:00pm in which I will attend and be a part of a discussion panel at the end :-D <3 span=""> Wow I'm going to be showcased in the Brooklyn Museum!! WOW I did it!! NY here I come December 3rd see you there!!

Link for more information
https://www.visualaids.org/events/detail/10369

#Serodifferent couples: How do u navigate the conversation about #PrEP & #HIV meds?

A&U Magazine's Just*in Time HIV Advice Column by Justin B Terry-Smith focuses on

#Serodifferent couples: How do u navigate the conversation about #PrEP & #HIV meds? JUST*IN TIME by @JustinBSmith79

Hope you’re doing well! Got a question you might know the answer to….So I’m negative and on Truvada as PrEP, but my boyfriend finally got on what I thought his doctor prescribed him, Truvada, but instead was Emtriva. Now I’ve done my homework and before I get out of sorts: Is Emtriva equal or effectively the same as Truvada? Just thought you might know more than me, who specializes in sales and not health. Any help would be appreciated.
—JCrew

Click on the link below to hear what Justin has to say about it.

http://bit.ly/2aCMlbZ

or click here

Justin's HIV Journal makes Healthline Media's Best HIV & STD Blogs of 2016

I am deeply honored and proud to say that Healthline Media has named Justin’s HIV Journal one of the best HIV & STD blogs of 2016.  I was surprised when I received this e-mail (copied and pasted below) from Healthline Media LLC.  This is amazing to me and I’m so glad that speaking out about something so passionate is giving to the common good of making awareness and education on HIV and other STI paramount.  It has been a little over 10 years that I’ve lived with HIV.  Justin’s HIV Journal is not alone in being one Healthline’s best HIV & STD blogs of 2016.  Here is the list of the top 18 2016 winners Blog.AIDS.gov, The Body: HIV/AIDS Blog Central, HIV/AIDS Advice from Verywell, HCV Advocate, Hep B Blog, HIV and ID Observations, HIV Negative Spouses, I’m Still Josh, Living in the Bonus Round, A Marine and HIV, My Fabulous Disease, My Journey with AIDS…. and More!, POZ’s Blog, Poz Life of Patrick, Shawn and Gwenn, The STD Project, and The Well Project.  I’m humbled as well, because the other blogs named above are so amazing and informative. 

The Letter from Healthline Media

Hi Justin,

Congratulations! Your blog has made Healthline's list of the Best HIV/STD Blogs of 2016! Healthline's editors selected each winner based on their reach to educate, inspire, and empower their readers with frequent updates and high quality information. We created a badge to help you publicize your achievement, and I encourage you to embed the badge on your site and share your 2016 status with your followers.

Winners list: http://www.healthline.com/health/hiv-aids/best-blogs-of-the-year
Badge to embed: http://www.healthline.com/health/hiv-aids/best-blogs-badge

Thanks for providing a great resource to the HIV/STD community. I will be happy to answer any questions and assist you with embedding the badge on your site.

King Regards,
Nicole Lascurain [ Assistant Marketing Manager ]
Healthline Media, Inc.
www.healthline.com – @healthline – @HealthlineAdLab

About Us: www.healthline.com/health/about-us

Justin's HIV Journal: Justin's Black, Gay and Jewish?!?!?

HIV is a horrible disease but one thing that I realize, at least in my opinion, is that spirituality does help with stress and release.  Being stressed with HIV is never a good thing, it only allows the HIV to hit your body, mind and soul harder than before.

In my journey living with HIV I converted from Christianity to Paganism.  Paganism is older than Christianity and I felt very comfortable with my decision.  But I also had to understand that in my family heritage I’m originally supposed to be Jewish.  So this is how it going a long time ago one of my Great Great Great Grandmother on my mother’s side was intimate with a Jewish man.  From the very beginning it was taboo.  At that time there was no way a black woman and Jewish man could ever be together on a permanent basis, it was illegal.  Her descendants married Christian men, took on the role of being Christian, and raised their children that way.  That is the story of my family that I was told.  I was also told that the last name of the Jewish man was Sasportas.  The name Sasportas can be found in a lot of places from the black slave owners book to leading slave revolts in the Caribbean.  

All in all, I should’ve been raised Jewish but was not.  I consider myself Judeo-Pagan, which means to me that I really should look at Kabbalah and no I don’t mean the commercialization that many celebrities have done but an authentic practice of Kabbalah.  From the Kabbalah Center Kabbalah is an ancient wisdom that reveals how the universe and life work. On a literal level, the word Kabbalah means “to receive.” It's the study of how to receive fulfillment in our lives.  I continue to observe and celebrate Jewish holidays and customs, and believe me this is not easy because there are so many.  The Hebrew name that I go by is Yadin and I’ve joined a Jude-Pagan study group and after I complete my doctorate program I will start Hebrew school.  You may understand this but I believe that being spiritually aware in one’s own right can bring fulfillment in your life and the lives of others.  The only thing I ask is not to put one’s religion on anyone else and respect anyone’s decision to pray as they wish. 

Now I feel a bit better because of my new found spirituality.  Having the support of my family, friends and readers really means a lot to me. 

Other Jews out there may not accept me because I didn’t go through certain channels the traditional way, but that is on them if they would like to take that in.  

Justin's HIV Journal: Justin's 10 Year Anniversary living with HIV

It has been 10 years since I’ve been diagnosed with HIV.  I’ve changed HIV medications twice and my body seems to like the latest one far better than the other two regimens I was on.  I seem to have been dealing with things that have come along with being infected with HIV rather well.  Physically I didn’t expect to get Rosacea but I’m keeping it under control by trying to avoiding things that I really like to eat and drink.  I did break out into hives on my arms one time and it was intolerable to the point where I was screaming in pain but that went away when I took an inflammatory.   

Since having HIV is have earned an Associate’s in Communications, a Bachelor’s in Political Science, a Master’s in Public Health and now I’m in school to get my Doctorate in Public Health.  During those 10 years I’ve gotten married and have two sons by adoption, Lundyn and Tavis.  All in all, I’m happy and I’m doing well.  10 years down and as many years as it takes to find a cure to go.  

Just*in Time HIV Advice Column #‎HIV‬ vs. ‪#‎AIDS‬ a reader writes in w/ concern June Issue of A&U Magazine

#‎HIV‬ vs. ‪#‎AIDS‬ a reader writes in w/ concern The latest JUST*IN TIME by #JustinTerrySmith

To see June Advise column from A&U Magazine please click on the link below

bit.ly/28JKQLh 

Texas Lt Gov Dan Patrick's Tweets & Pulse Night Club!

In Orlando Florida about 2am on 6/12/2016 a gunman entered the (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender) LGBT club called the Pulse and opened fire killing approximately 50 patrons.  Just hours after the mass shooting Texas Lt Gov. Dan Patrick an avid anti-LGBT campaigner sent out a tweet saying, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." just hours after a mass shooting, which is from the Bible and found in Galatians 6:7.  Representatives for the lieutenant governor said the post were prescheduled and that Patrick and other statewide officials usually share Bible verses on social media on Sunday mornings. 

 The tweet was deleted around 11:00 a.m. Sunday.  The Texas' Democratic Party responded by calling on Patrick to apologize immediately.  Patrick campaign spokesman Allen Blakemore strongly denied the tweet was in any way related to the Orlando shooting and that Patrick was currently out of the country.

Whether accident or not, why has it taken this long to get an apology from him? What is the hold up?  You are a major _ _ _ hole, no doubt.

Just*in Time HIV Advice Column: Why tailored outreach is important in #HIV education #gaymenofcolor #JustinBTerrySmith

Justin -

This is in response to the expected HIV infections in the Black Gay population that I saw in one of your posts.  It cited stats from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that fifty percent Black men will [likely] test positive as will thirty percent of Hispancis.  My question is:  Are we doing the right outreach in light of this prediction and, if not, what should we be doing?

- Bob Doyle

To see Justin B Terry-Smith' answer to Bob's question click on the link below

http://www.aumag.org/2016/04/27/justin-time-april-2016/

or 

Click here

We should NOT stigmatize people who choose to utilize #PrEP

Justin B Terry-Smith's explains in his HIV advice column Just*in Time in A&U: America's AIDS Magazine​ why We should NOT stigmatize people who choose to utilize #PrEP.


Question:

Justin—

We have been friends (on Facebook) for a while and we met [as fellow members of] the leather community when you were Mr. Maryland Leather 2010. However, I would appreciate it if you keep my identity secret, seeing as how we are both well known in the leather community as well.

Well, I noticed that there is a spike in syphilis cases among gay men, especially in the leather community. Do you think that has anything to do with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)? My next question is about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). In your opinion do you think that PEP gives people permission to have sex with others and then go get the pill the next morning?
—Old Guard Leather DADDY

Click the link below to see how Justin answered this reader's question:
http://www.aumag.org/2016/02/26/justin-time-february-2016/

Man on PrEP is infected with HIV

For the first time Scientist have now seen its first case of an individual contracting the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) while being compliant with taking Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) daily.  The HIV strain that they were exposed to is supposedly a multi-drug resistant strain.  In other words, the strain of HIV that the person who was taking PrEP, is resistant to many levels of HIV medications.  So this doesn’t surprise me because the strain is HIV drug resistant because PrEP is 92% effective in preventing HIV transmission, so it isn’t 100% but neither is using a condom.  

Unfortunately, the only thing that is 100% effective is abstinence and that is farfetched to try to even preach that message.  PrEP has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since July 16, 2012.  I would say 4 years of no HIV infections for those that are compliant with taking PrEP is a huge step for public health in eradicating the threat of HIV transmission. 

A 43-year-old man who has sex with men (MSM) who had been taking PrEP 24 months before his HIV test provided a positive result.  The researchers gave him a blood spot test in order to determine whether or not he had stayed compliant to PrEP, which it was inferred that the patient was compliant.  Test also concluded that his HIV medication resistant strain that he was infected by was indeed from only 1 person and not because of mutation of another strain of HIV after transmission.  The patient is now being put on Tivicay (dolutegravir), Prezcobix (darunavir/cobicistat), and Edurant (rilpivirine), and continues to have an undetectable viral load. 

Prep (Truvada) is made up of two medications tenofovir and emtricitabine.  In the world right now if someone is infected with HIV they usually either have resistance to tenofovir or emtricitabine.  But they usually almost never have resistance to both tenofovir and emtricitabine at the same time. 

The data was made public knowledge at the 2016 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Boston by HIV Specialist Dr. David Knox

HIV Smart Campaign

Justin B Terry-Smith Justin's HIV Journal

Ryan Colford Founder and President 

I was on Facebook when I first heard of and saw the HIV Smart Campaign and became very curious about what was its meaning.  As many HIV campaigns have become a part of social media this HIV campaign is the first of its kind that I’ve seen since PrEP was created.  I attended photoshoots in Baltimore and in Washington DC, both with good turn outs.  The pictures are meant to be shared on all social media including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  This campaign raises awareness on how we mentally see people with HIV and HIV itself.  While the mission is that people think smarter (hence the glasses) about HIV, it reduces HIV stigma at the same time.  It also makes not only the target population of gay men and MSM but the general population think about the benefits of PrEP and PEP.  Working with photographer Ryan Colford was amazing and he is amazing. 

HIV Smart was created by founder and President Ryan Colford, “to dispel ignorance because of all the disinformation still being circulated to the public in an age of technology. Real facts need to be known, and should be shared.”

For more information, please visit the HIV Smart Website: http://hivsmart.org/

To donate to the HIV Smart Campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/hivsmart

HIV Smart is a newly developed nonprofit organization that focuses on education about preventative methods (PrEP/PEP), education about risk behaviors, advocating HIV testing and the importance of knowing your status. HIV Smart also creates awareness about the serious link between people living with HIV and depression, and last but definitely not least, places an emphasis on fighting stigma.

The heart of HIV Smart campaign is a social media photo campaign. We encourage everyone to use their pictures across all forms of social media from Facebook to Instagram to Twitter. The recognizable imagery will help to raise awareness through increased visibility and foster real intelligent conversations relaying true facts and dispelling myths. These conversations will cover the challenges associated with the virus and stress the importance of treating all people with dignity and compassion.

Justin B Terry-Smith
Mr Maryland Leather 2010

Our goals are to create multiple photo events in each of the 50 states with a large focus on the top 5 states with the highest transmission rates (New York, Florida, California, Georgia, and Texas). We hope that each photo event will help educate everyone regardless of status, create more public awareness that it’s only disease, and reinforce that shame of any sort should never be associated with HIV.  He developed the idea of forming the organization, corresponding website, and blending it with his talents as a photographer by adding a social media photo campaign.

In Washington DC the HIV Smart Campaign was hosted by            Mr. DC Eagle 2016

In New York the HIV Smart Campaign was hosted by            Mr. New York Eagle 2016

In Baltimore the HIV Smart Campaign was hosted by                Mr. Maryland Leather 2016

Justin & Phil Adopt 2nd Son and 1st Son moves Out!!

Being HIV positive I near thought I would have any children at all.  We adopted another son when he was 17. I can’t believe I couldn’t mention before but I believe it was because of legalities.  But he is ours.  He just turned 18 and wants to learn how to drive.  He had made friends with our other son when they went to high school together.  Well his name is Tavis and he found his way to our house one day with bags in hand.  We took to him immediately and welcomed him with open arms into our family.  He is gay just like our first son.  Speaking of our first son he has flown the coup and is now making a way for himself in the real world.  It felt like just yesterday I was getting calls every day from his high school, BUT we nipped that in the bud fairly quickly.  He matured has a boyfriend and is making his way in the world.  All I can do is hope he becomes a good man, which I’m positive he will.  BUT I will say this no two is enough.  My husband and I have decided that we are getting our tubes tides and that’s that.  LOL Anyways we are a happy family and things are going well.  LOVE YOU GUYS and COMMENT DOWN BELOW.