Justin’s HIV Journal: Justin Discloses His HIV Status…….AT WORK !!

When I came out of the closet I didn’t think I would have to do it again, especially at work. This took a lot for me to do. Actually on my facebook I changed my status to say, “Justin B Smith just disclosed his HIV status to his Boss”. Doing that single action started a discussion, which at times did get a little heated. People asked a lot about why someone would do that. Other compared it to their sexuality. I didn’t want to interrupt the flow of the discussion so I didn’t interject or give why my reason why I did that until about the 25th comment.



The reason why I told my Boss is because I needed to snack during the day. My lunch is from 12:30pm-1:30pm and I need to snack twice a day. People who have HIV need to have more nutrients in there daily live than people who are HIV negative. They way I usually do this is pills and food. I do both because I wasn’t to stay at the top of my game and stay healthy. I try to drink Ensure as well to help with maintaining my weight.

Why should I have to keep my status secret anyways? People tell me I wear it on my sleeve, but if I don’t then how can it be easier for the next person. The more we talk about HIV/AIDS the better off our community will be. I don’t understand why people don’t want to talk about HIV/AIDS. This disease has bought our community as a whole in a cave of disparity.
SO CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK?

ACLU Links:

http://www.aclu.org/hiv/discrim/27464res20061121.html

http://www.aclu.org/hiv/gen/kyr_workplace.html

Here are some nutrient and eating facts according to Living Well With HIV/AIDS
PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS HAVE INCREASED NUTRIENT NEEDS
When infected with the HIV virus the body's defence system - the immune system - works harder to fight infection. This increases energy and nutrient requirements. Further infection and fever also increase the body's demand for food. Once people are infected with HIV they have to eat more to meet these extra energy and nutrient needs. Such needs will increase even further as the HIV/AIDS symptoms develop.

HIV/AIDS reduces food intake
People with HIV/AIDS often do not eat enough because:
• the illness and the medicines taken for it may reduce the appetite, modify the taste of food and prevent the body from absorbing it;
• symptoms such as a sore mouth, nausea and vomiting make it difficult to eat;
• tiredness, isolation and depression reduce the appetite and the willingness to make an effort to prepare food and eat regularly;
• there is not enough money to buy food.

HIV/AIDS reduces the absorption of food
Food, once eaten, is broken down by digestion into nutrients. These nutrients pass through the gut walls into the bloodstream and are transported to the organs and tissues in the body where they are needed. One of the consequences of HIV and other infections is that since the gut wall is damaged, food does not pass through properly and is consequently not absorbed.
Diarrhoea is a common occurrence in people with HIV/AIDS. When a person has diarrhoea the food passes through the gut so quickly that it is not properly digested and fewer nutrients are absorbed.
Reduced food intake and absorption lead to weight loss and malnutrition.

HIV/AIDS AFFECTS WEIGHT
When a person does not eat enough food, or the food eaten is poorly absorbed, the body draws on its reserve stores of energy from body fat and protein from muscle. As a result, the person loses weight because body weight and muscles are lost.
The weight loss may be so gradual that it is not obvious. There are two basic ways to discover whether weight is being lost.
• Weigh the person on the same day once a week and keep a record of the weight and date (see sample sheet in Annex 4). For an average adult, serious weight loss is indicated by a 10 percent loss of body weight or 6-7 kg in one month. If a person does not have scales at home it might be possible to make an arrangement with a chemist, clinic or local health unit to weigh him or her.
• When clothes become loose and no longer fit properly.
If a person loses weight he or she needs to take action to increase weight to the normal level.

GAINING WEIGHT
Weight is gained by eating more food, either by eating larger portions and/or eating meals more frequently, using a variety of foods as described in the previous chapter. Here are some suggestions for gaining weight:
• Eat more staple foods such as rice, maize, millet, sorghum, wheat, bread, potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams and bananas.
• Increase intake of beans, soy products, lentils, peas, groundnuts, peanut butter and seeds, such as sunflower and sesame.
• Include all forms of meat, poultry, fish and eggs as often as possible. Minced meat, chicken and fish are easier to digest. Offal (such as kidney and liver) can be the least expensive source.
• Eat snacks regularly between meals. Good snacks are nuts, seeds, fruit, yoghurt, carrots, cassava crisps, crab crisps and peanut butter sandwiches.
• Slowly increase the fat content of the food by using more fats and oils, as well as eating fatty foods - oilseeds such as groundnuts, soy and sesame, avocados and fatty meat. If problems with a high fat intake are experienced (especially diarrhoea), reduce the fat intake until the symptoms are over and then gradually increase it to a level that the body can tolerate.
• Introduce more dairy products such as full-cream milk, sour milk, buttermilk, yoghurt and cheese into the diet.
• Add dry milk powder to foods such as porridge, cereals, sauces and mashed potatoes. However, do not use coffee and tea whiteners, which do not have the same nutritional benefits as milk. Note that some people may find milk difficult to digest. It should be avoided if it causes cramps, a feeling of being full or skin rashes.
• Add sugar, honey, jam, syrup and other sweet products to the food.
• Make meals as attractive as possible.
• Recipes following these recommendations for gaining weight are provided in Annex 1.
Increasing the number of meals and snacks in a day. If poor appetite persists or the person is ill, it is a good idea to spread the food intake throughout the day. Snacks should be included in the daily meal plan.
• A snack is any nutritious food that is readily available and can be eaten without much preparation. Good snacks are nuts, seeds, fruit, yoghurt, carrots, cassava chips, crab chips and peanut butter sandwiches. With at least three meals a day and snacks in between, there is less likelihood of malnutrition or weight loss.
• If a person needs to stay in bed, food and water should be kept within easy reach.
• Carers should ensure that sick members of the family are given preference, fed more frequently and receive extra servings to maintain their weight and strength. Food should be served in an attractive way. Carers need to be kind, while frequently encouraging people to eat.

Justin's HIV Journal: Artomatic 2009

Hello Everyone,

Having HIV doesn’t mean that you have to give up on your dreams, hopes or goals. When I was younger one of my dreams was to get up enough courage to actually perform on stage. I never had the courage to do so. When I was in high school I was in Pitt Band and never really got enough balls to put myself out there. In Elementary School I remember a bad experience that I had when I was doing a school play. It was a little hard to get past it.

With youtube you can always go back and edit, it isn’t that simple on stage. On stage if you make a mistake you have to move on and pretend like nothing happened or adlib your way through it.



I was called by Alan Sharpe, Director and Playwright of the African American Collective Theatre (ACT). It was an honor when he asked me to be apart of his short play/reading “All Over Him”. He cast me to play “Eric”, the main character. He said for me to have the part it would depend on my availability. I didn’t want to disappoint him, so I took it and ran with it. Below you find a brief description of Artomatic.

Comment and let me know how I did. ;-)



I would just like to say Thank you Mr. Alan Sharpe, Mr David A. Richardson, and Kendell K. Lee. Also thank you to all the actors in the ACT that made me feel so warm and welcome THANK YOU.




The reading was to be put on at Artomatic’s 10 Anniversary in Washington DC. Artomatic is a month-long art festival in DC that is free to the general public celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Monument Realty and the Capitol Riverfront BID have provided a brand-new 275,000 square foot building to host Artomatic, right next to the Nationals Stadium. The event features nine floors of visual and installation art, theater performances, dance and comedy, three music stages, street performances such as fire dancing and drum troupes, and a film screening theater. Workshops and seminars are held all month long and special events such as the Washington Post's Peeps diorama finalists, the Zombie Prom, Box Racing, body paint shows, and a no-holds-barred Art in Fashion Show.

With four stages, four bars and a lounge on each floor, the 10th Anniversary Artomatic is bigger than ever. 52,500 people attended Artomatic last year, and 70,000 are expected this year. Over 1,000 visual artists and 600 performing artists are exhibiting this year.

Artomatic is a creative community that collaborates to produce and present a free arts spectacular. Participation is open to all, from recognized artists to undiscovered talents, who work in a variety of arts forms. In partnership with the development community, Artomatic transforms unused building space into a playground for expression, serves as a catalyst for community growth in up-and-coming neighborhoods, and helps to grow the creative economy.

Artomatic was originally conceived as a way to break down the geographical and social segmentation of the Washington arts scene, to bring art directly to the public and to build cohesion among artists. Artomatic provides a forum for all of our area's artists to convene, perform and exhibit, strengthening the visibility, cohesion and marketplace of the arts community.

Justin's HIV Journal: Dab The AIDS Bear Project

Hey EVERY ONE
I was asked to do a Dab the AIDS Bear Project video and I jumped at the chance. As most of you know I LOOOOOOVE THE BEARS. Grrrr.

But honestly there is a greater mission ahead and the idea to do this was awesome. I got the information below from the website http://www.dabtheaidsbearproject.com Please go take a look.



DAB THE AIDS BEAR HISTORY


Back in 1981 when I had friends starting to die from AIDS, the hospitals wouldn't allow visitors into the patient's room unless you wore protective garments (gowns, masks etc.). GRID (what HIV was originally called) was considered reason to quarantine people with this new illness because they were afraid of this new disease and were not sure how the virus was passed. Because of this, people were usually close to death and had at least one opportunistic infection when they were diagnosed and hospitalized.

You could see even seasoned health care professional recoil in fear and not wanting to touch the patients. Even close friends were hesitant or scared to visit their friends in the hospital. Several friends and my first partner were dying without the comfort of human touch.

So I started buying Gund teddy bears and giving them to friends so they would not have to feel so alone, abandoned and afraid. That is how Dab the AIDS Bear was created.

I would personalize the bear to something I knew about them. From personal experience, nothing is worse than being in the hospital and being scared when you think you are going to die.

When people were admitted to the hospital then, they rarely made it outside of the hospital alive again. Even in the later 80s when the first HIV medications started becoming available, the medications only bought someone several months. Some longer, some shorter and most had debilitating side effects and greatly diminished quality of life. But there were no other options then to keep yourself alive. AIDS before 1996 for most was a death sentence.

When the red HIV/AIDS awareness ribbon became our symbol, I started adding a ribbon to the bears when I would give them as gifts to my friends dying due to this horrible virus. The universal appeal of bears brings smiles to even the sickest child or adult and are a symbol of strength and comfort for all ages.

In 1998, I designed another HIV awareness bear and massed produced it. The Dab the AIDS Bear was wholesaled in various specialty retail stores across the country. The reason I came out with another bear at that time was the funds to the AIDS organizations were being cut and services such as massage, acupuncture, aromatherapy, and nutrition counseling among others were canceled because of the government budget cuts to the Ryan White Act. Treatments that helped people with HIV/AIDS deal with the side effects from the medications and the illness itself were no longer available through public assistance programs.

Dab the AIDS Bear has met many young people under 25 that are already positive as we travel across the country doing HIV/AIDS awareness, education and prevention. Most of these exposures happened in high school or college age students. These young people represent all races, all economic backgrounds, all religious beliefs, all sexual orientations because NO ONE is immune. It's not like the virus is going to ask you questions before infecting you.
EVERY MAN WOMAN AND CHILD IN AMERICA CAN CATCH HIV!


Dab the AIDS Bear has also met with many 50+ citizens who are now finding out they are HIV positive. Many did not get tested and find out until their immune systems are depleted and they have one or more opportunistic infections. Too many are DYING because they didn't know their status in time so they could begin HIV treatment.
GET TESTED GET TESTED GET TESTED GET TESTED GET TESTED


According to doctor, if you are sexually active, you should be tested EVERY SIX MONTHS.

Dab the AIDS Bear is also an advocate for financially challenged Americans with HIV and AIDS who are placed on AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) waiting lists. He has held over 8000 American men, women and children as they lost their war with AIDS. An American man, woman or child should never have to die because they can not afford the life saving HIV medications. Too many Americans died before 1996 when HARTT treatment and protease inhibitors were released making it possible for most to live with this virus.

When did it become OK for Americans to die due to ignorance, lack of caring, or lack of government funding? We thought our great country, the leader of the free world, would be the first to make sure its own citizens would not be subjected to such a horrible fate. That we as Americans would be the one to show we take care of our own. Well they are being shown and they need your help.

Dab the AIDS Bear travels around the globe as it nears it's 30th birthday. You can find him at AIDS Walks, AIDS cycles, health fairs, public events, conferences, etc.

So stay tuned for an appearance of Dab the AIDS Bear in your area. We have our Ambassadors of Hope traveling the globe with Dab the AIDS Bear and taking pictures.

So walk up, say hello and have your picture taken with Dab the AIDS Bear and help prevent new HIV infections while helping those already infected.

Wishing you health, hope and happiness.

big bear hug,

Daddy Dab and Dab the AIDS Bear

Justin's HIV Journal Justin Tries To Quit Smoking

Justin B Smith from Justin's HIV Journal has been smoking since the age of 17. He is 29 years old so he has been smoking for about 12 years.

According to TheBody.com, people with HIV disease are more likely to smoke than healthy people. Smoking can interfere with normal lung function in healthy people. In people with HIV, smoking can make it more difficult to fight off serious infections. People with HIV disease are now living longer. Smoking and related problems can interfere with long term quality of life.

Smoking weakens the immune system. It can make it harder to fight off HIV-related infections. This is especially true for infections related to the lungs. Smoking can interfere with processing of medications by the liver. It can also worsen liver problems like hepatitis.

People with HIV who smoke are more likely to suffer complications from HIV medication than those who don't. For example, those who smoke are more likely to experience nausea and vomiting from taking HIV medications. Smoking increases the risk of some long-term side effects of HIV disease and treatment. These include osteoporosis . HIV treatment slightly increases the risk of heart attack, but smoking is the major controllable risk factor for heart attacks or strokes.
Recent studies found that quitting smoking reduced heart attack risk in HIV patients more than other factors such as changes in medications.

People with HIV disease who smoke are more likely to develop several opportunistic infections related to HIV. They are more likely to develop thrush, oral hairy leukoplakia (whitish mouth sores), bacterial pneumonia, pneumocystis pneumonia. For women, smoking can increase the risk and severity of infection with human papillomavirus, this increases the risk of cervical cancer.

A recent study found that smoking among people with HIV was linked to a higher rate of death. This was true for current smokers and ex-smokers; the greatest increase in the risk of death -- 60% -- was for cardiovascular (heart) disease and some cancers.

On a more personal note he is asking you guys to help him quit with your word of encouragement and prayer. Please feel free to comment on his blog, youtube, myspace or facebook pages.

Thank you for all your love and support

Justin B Smith
Justin's HIV Journal

Justin's HIV Journal Pop Singer Faces HIV Charges

German Pop Star Nadja Bernaissa could face up to 10 years in jail for allegations that she infected 1 of the 3 sexual partners she had from the year 2004-2006 with the HIV virus. Supposedly the 26 year old did tell either of her partners that she was HIV Positive. The young lady in question was arrested on April 11th 2009 and released from custody later on that month. Updates will be presented as they become known to me. Last year her former lover filed charges against her and prosecutors have be investing this story since June of 2008.

Many of her fans are shocked and appalled by this. They split and some have even turned there backs on the songstress. According to the Time Magazine one fan wrote,"Stay Strong Nadja" while another wrote about her condemnation.

Benaissa Sings with the group called No Angels which is now the best selling girl group/band to come out of Germany. She also has a child who was born in 1999.

So I ASK YOU WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN?

One hand you have a person who know she has HIV and continued not to tell her partner about it. Then on the other hand there is the other side. Why didn't he protect himself or even think about protecting himself. Was it because she was a star and he didn't think he would have to worry about it?

YOU TELL ME PLEASE COMMENT

Justin's HIV Journal DC Black Gay Pride

DC Black Pride has gone through so much in the past years. But it was better than ever this year. I personally was working on my midterms and now because of my hard work I should be getting my AA in Communications in the mail. Even though Im not done with school I decided that I would celebrate by going to the Bachelors Mill last night with my partner and a couple of friends.

It turned out to be a very nice night with no pretentiousness and surliness. My partner and I danced the night away with my on lookers. When then woke up to coffee and Bloody Marys. Next we set our sights on Darryl Wilsons Picnic which was held in Temple Hills, Maryland off Allentown Rd. There was plenty of pure love everywhere. People Ive missed and people that I always see in my day to day life. We had a blast.

My partner and I laid out a picnic blanket and laid out the chicken sauced with peppers, herbs and spices and of course fresh juicy watermelon, which made my mouth water.
Even though I was literally at my computer getting my mid-terms completed I have a great time.
I asked people at the picnic what does pride mean to them and this is what they told me

Justin's HIV Journal on Whitman Walker Clinic

Hey Guys,
As a board member of Whitman Walker Clinic I thought it would be important to post a message to a lot of our young black gay men living in Washington D.C.

In D.C. As many of you know we're seeing a high rate in HIV infections among Black MSM. So I also made this film to point out the empowerment is a key factor to anyone's infection whether they are black, white, gay or straight.

but right now a trouble area is the rates of infections in the black gay community in DC.

We need to empower these young black males and make sure that they understand that there is nothing wrong with telling your partner to use a condom or to get an HIV test.

EMPOWER yourself by going to get a HIV test. Don't feel ashamed or embarrassed. It's better to know than not to know. I earlier you know if you're infected the better off you will be psychologically and physically.

TRUST ME

JUST DO IT

USE A CONDOM

GET TESTED

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.

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.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

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