Justin's HIV Journal: HIV in DC, Thank you Ongina

Hello Everyone,

Let me just start out by saying that I’m sorry for not writing you guys in a while, things have change a little bit. I recently just got a job with the IRS and so now my hours are 9-5 M-F. So as of now I’m a Federal Government Employee. It’s paramount that people with a disease like HIV have very good health insurance and the government does well in that category, when it comes to its employees. Well I hope you enjoy this entry.

Look at the video below !!!

According to the Washington Post, Washington DC leads the country in HIV/AIDS infections in major cities. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty released the report at a news conference. He called it a wake-up call for the District and one of the "most serious problems" facing the city. The report confirmed that at least 15,120 residents, about 3,000 per every 100,000 over the age of 12, have HIV or AIDS.

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More than three-quarters -- 76 percent -- of the HIV infected are black, 70 percent are men and 70 percent are age 40 and older.

This is crazy; it hurts to see these numbers, they are so high. Several of my friends that are in this area are HIV Activist and are trying their best to stop the virus from spreading all over the city. A lot of them are not surprised but I can say that it also hurts me because this city, Washington DC, is my home. I feel responsible in some way. I also feel a responsibility to stop it or to help slow it down considerably.

Justin B Smith’s Video

Mayor Fenty also went on the say that only one baby was born with HIV in 2007, compared with 10 in 2005. Also, 70,000 residents were tested for HIV as part of an aggressive campaign, compared with 40,000 four years ago. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the District is one of the top three jurisdictions in the country in conducting the most HIV tests and identifying the greatest number of HIV-infected residents.What should we do as a community? What should I do as an activist? I’m asking you right now YES YOU, TELL ME Leave a comment.

Justin B Smith’s Interview with NBC 4

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Ongina, Ongina, Ongina,

This spunky girl was just what the doctor ordered. I know I’m late in doing this but I needed to thank you Ongina from RuPaul’s Drag Race. RuPaul’s Drag Race is a show on the LGBT themed, Logo Station. The show is hosted by truest of all true Drag Queen’s RuPaul herself. The show is a competition in which a half full of Drag Queens compete to become America’s next drag super star. All of the contestants were great but one stuck out with her beautiful personality and courage.

There was a challenge that the girls had to promote MAC cosmetics. MAC AIDS Funds gives a lot of money towards the fight on HIV/AIDS. In this challenge the girls were suppose to make there own commercial for the MAC Cosmetics. Well Ongina shined through and won the competition. When she found out that she won she broke down and cried. The teary eyed Ongina crouched down and stood back up and announced that she was infected with the HIV virus. When I saw this I cried myself.

I would like to personally thank Ongina for doing this selfless, inspirational, and courageous act on national television. Thank you so much you are and will help others through your own strength. Thank you so much for helping to erasing the stigma of HIV/AIDS in our community. In the famous words of Ongina “You have to Celebrate Life”.

NEXT TRIP

Well I have a vacation coming up and Justin’s HIV Journal is going to San Francisco. I’m going with my partner Dr. Philip Terry of Prevention Works, which is a HIV/AIDS prevention organization. We’re going there because the NBJC (National Black Justice Coalition) is having a conference there and it should be great. I can’t wait. So you in the Bay Area

Justin's HIV Journal Some Facts on HIV/AIDS

Justin's HIV Journal Some Facts on HIV/AIDS

Today a young lady e-mailed me on My Facebook about some questions she had about HIV/AIDS. So I tried by best to answer her. I realized that when I looked at my e-mail and some other pieces of mail that some of you had the same questions. So I decided to make a video answering some of your questions. A lot of you have questions about what you should do in certain situations. Well I can answer back now.



For example there is a person in Germany that asked if he should tell his boyfriend that he is HIV positive. I'm responding to him now by saying, "TELL HIM". The earlier the better, TRUST ME. If cannot love you because of this disease than just move on. I know it's hard and I know it seems like you will be starting over again, but look at it this way, if he will not love you for you than he cannot love you at all. If you tell him after you have sex with him we will not respect you. How could he you have kept something from him that you should have been open and honest about. You may not have infected him when you had sex with him BUT you surely still need to be honest with him.


Thank you so much for all of your support and your love.

Love yourself before you love someone else

Justin B Smith
Justin's HIV Journal

RIP Shelton Jackson

RIP Shelton Jackson
(Feb 4, 1978 - March 2, 2009)

On March the 2nd the world lost an extraordinary man, Shelton Jackson. He was infected with HIV and wanted to share his story with the world to help save lives. I met him a couple of times at some pride events, he seemed very nice and his smile lit up the room. I never knew about the work that he did until later on. He was truly a special person and the world has lost a truly magnificent creature. I know he is in a better place and is at peace




Shelton was 31 years old when he passed away. His story truly touches me because we are around the same age and he is doing what I'm doing now, trying to save lives through telling my story. It just hits so close to home when a fellow HIV Activist dies of this dreadful disease. In a matter a fact it's horrible when anyone dies of this disease. I just know in my heart this is what I've been put on this earth to do. To help as many people as I can with what I have. Thank you to the Gods for Shelton Jackson (Feb 4, 1978 - March 2, 2009)



Shelton also was interviewed by the website called the Body. In his last entry he said this

"I got comfortable -- too comfortable -- and started taking my good health for granted, which led me to stop taking my meds. My CD4 count and viral load went from 638 and undetectable to 150 and 100,000 in a year. I am currently fighting again to get my numbers back up and refortify myself. I see myself in the final stage of my evolution, evolving into the person that will carry out my destiny. I am not giving up because I know my struggles with HIV show others that it can be done. So, I fight the good fight and hope that others learn and grow from my struggles, my failures and my accomplishments."

Updated May 2008

Shelton Jackson's Interview with The Body

One Shelton's My Space page "About me" section

Born and raised in the ruff streets of Newark, New Jersey, Shelton S. Jackson managed to escape the crime and violence of the streets through education and in the eighth grade his world was changed when he was introduced to poetry. Jackson, used this new medium to express his trails of coming out of the closet, falling in love at first sight with a man, becoming HIV positive for that love, and finally being reborn to do what he describes as “God’s will.” Jackson has published two books of poetry on his journey of acceptance. Jackson now still resides in Newark, NJ where he has started his own publishing company, SSJ Publishing, Inc. Through SSJ, Jackson hopes to publish other authors whose personal truth will serve as a beacon of hope for others. Jackson believes that SSJ Publishing is the next step in healing literature that will, “Take Truth to the Next Level-Reality.” See My WebSite

Justin's HIV Journal HIV Choices PSA

Hello Everyone:

I also did one of my own, let me know what you think Mine is called, "Justin's HIV Journal HIV Choices PSA" (Public Service Announcement)



I did a commercial for the DC Center. They wanted to know about my story and I told them the truth candidly. It turned out nicely I just wanted to share with you guys.





SO VIEW THEM BOTH AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK Both PSA are important to HIV Awareness, Education and Prevention. When talking about HIV we can all do our part and this is mine. People have e-mailed me from all over the world praising the work that I do, but I praise them for getting the message for thinking twice about some of the things that we do. We need to bond together.

SO I'm asking for everyone that is reading this to do their own PSA, and post it to my PSA at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00dYO7qNxNY

PLEASE POST SO THE MESSAGE CAN BE SPREAD, WE CAN STOP HIV !!!

HIV & The Generation Gap

HIV & The Generation Gap

There seems to be a disconnect between Generation X and Y vs. The Baby Boomer Generation. In the1980’s and 1990’s a lot people remember their friends dying each day from this disease. People recall going to funerals everyday because each day that went by at least one of their friends’ had died of AIDS. As time went by medicine got stronger and smarter when dealing with HIV/AIDS. People began to live longer and receive better treatment.

Today it’s 2009 the life expectancy of someone who is 20 years of age living with HIV and on medications can be 69 years old. I’m unsure but I think the life expectancy of an adult male in the United States is 75 years of age. You would think with all the advances in medicine we a winning the fight on HIV/AIDS. Think Again?

There are a growing number of young people contracting HIV. I’m am 29 and I’m a little older than the demographic I’m talking about. I had to say that because of the postings and e-mails I’m getting from my youtube site, my e-mail address, and other mailings.

I was on my facebook page today and I was speaking to my friends, when I noticed I received an e-mail on another website. It was from a 20 year old named Tony, who was so scared I felt like I wanted to hold him. His e-mail stated, “My boyfriend and I just had sex 2 weeks ago, and he just told me yesterday that he is HIV positive. What should I do? Am I going to die?” I get e-mails like this a lot of the time and I feel I must listen, read and respond. Now most of you know that I’m very busy so I try to get to as much and to as many people as I can. I e-mailed him back and ask for his number. He gave it to me and I called him. He said, “Hello” in a very soft tone. I said, “Hello this is Justin B Smith from Justin’s HIV Journal”. He said, “Thank you so much for calling me”. He then went on about what he was scared about what he should do if he is positive.

He was very scared.

I just wanted to hold him and tell him everything will be alright even if you’re positive. I got off the phone with the young man and then got back on facebook and had changed my status to “I counseled a 20 year old about HIV/AIDS”. I had gotten some replies but one of my friends said she had something like that happen to her. She said she was talking a 19 year old, that opening said he engaged in unprotected sex, because………………………………….………………………..he knows one day that he will be infected with HIV, that why he doesn’t use condoms.

It broke my heart to hear that. This is a self esteem issue with a lot of young people that contract HIV. Why are these young people not getting it that if you don’t use a condom you will get HIV or some other STD. We need to help them understand. We need to help them take pride in themselves. We need to help them to not be victims of this plague. Life is precious and some people don't think that it is. I think being in a certain demographic (especially being a minority or a minority) has a lot to do with it. I really wish I could save them just by touching them. I want to save them from having to go through this disease and if they do contract it. WE need to let them no they are not alone. There are people and services that we need to direct them to for help. WE NEED TO BAND TOGETHER AND HELP THEM. They are our children. They are our future and right now in DC the Black Gay men's future looks bleak and I WANT TO HELP STOP IT

Trouble with HIV Meds Part II

Hello Everyone,

This is Justin B Smith from Justin’s HIV Journal. As most of you can recall I was put on the HIV medication regime that incorporated Norvir, Truvada, and Rayatez, it took a while for my body to adjust to these medications.

HIV Medications Problems Video Part 1 of 2

The Rayatez medication made my eyes yellow, which means that it was affecting my Liver functions. I first noticed this about a week after starting the medication. I was so self conscience about my eyes. Everyone was going to know that I was sick and there was nothing I could do about it. I told my doctor at the next appointment. He told me that it might occur when first stating the medications. I believe in what my doctor told me. After a few weeks went by my eyes were still a little yellow.

My second visit to my doctor was a good one. I voiced my concerns and he listened. He instructed me to go to the lab and get my blood work done.

HIV Medications Problems Part 2 of 2

As I sat in my chair having my blood work done I thought about the events of the future. I thought about then candidate Barack H. Obama. I thought about the many struggles that this man had to endure. That was the moment I posed a question to myself, “What was this man’s drive to become President of a wounded country?” My second thought was, “I’m wounded, but NOT dead”.

The third visit was the reading of my blood work. It turned out to be a surprise to me. My eyes have since been better. I have been feeling so much better and the election in November gave me a lot of hope.

I had the fortune of witnessing history first hand when I went to President Barack H Obama’s Inauguration on January 20^th in Washington DC. I’m originally from Washington DC, by way of Silver Spring MD, so it felt like home.

President Barack Obama's Inauguration Video

The Washington DC area was energized by this new President, one who has given people joy and hope. He has made people think a little differently about how they treat others, how they treat themselves and hopefully how they treat people who are living with HIV.

The people of the world have now been given a more positive outlook on life by a man who came from meager beginnings to become the leader of the free world.

Only time will tell if we as a people can keep this positive energy up, only time can tell if the health care promises of President Barack Obama will be kept. Only time will tell if HIV positive people will be given a more optimistic out look on their own lives because of new found light in America’s leadership.

President Barack Obama’s Promise on HIV and AIDS:

According to the White House Website, in the first year of his presidency, President Obama promises to develop and begin to implement a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strategy that includes all federal agencies. The strategy will be designed to reduce HIV infections, increase access to care and reduce HIV-related health disparities. The President promises to support common sense approaches including age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception and STD prevention. His promise includes combating infection within our prison population through education and prevention, and distributing prophylactics through our public health system. The President also supports lifting the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. President Obama has also been willing to confront the stigma -- too often tied to homophobia -- that continues to surround HIV/AIDS.

HOPE FULLY THESE PROMISES WILL BE KEPT AND WE CAN ALL LOOK WITH CLEAR EYES TO THE FUTURE, WITH OR WITHOUT REYETAZ.

LINKS

Justin’s HIV Journal: Trouble with Medications Part I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9ESC7otKxU

Justin’s HIV Journal: Trouble with Medications Part II

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r07y3ED3gXU

Justin’s HIV Journal: President Barack Obama’s Inauguration

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_RiBUKDMmA

HIV and Hooking Up

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