Confessions

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Adonis shares his personal journey of living with HIV, his experiences growing up in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, and the challenges of transitioning as a transgender man. He discusses the cultural taboos surrounding LGBTQ+ identities in his community, the support he received from his family, and the importance of gender-affirming care. Adonis reflects on his initial reactions to his HIV diagnosis and the subsequent acceptance from his family, highlighting the love and understanding that helped him navigate his journey. In this conversation, Adonis shares his journey of living with HIV as a transgender man, discussing the challenges and triumphs he has faced. He emphasizes the importance of support systems, the need for gender-affirming care, and the role of advocacy in the current political climate. Adonis also highlights the significance of community and connection, as well as the personal growth he has experienced through his diagnosis. His story serves as an inspiration for others navigating similar paths, encouraging openness and resilience.  Adonis has created a virtual organization for the trans non-conforming individuals called undertheumbrellargv. Visit his iInstagram pages.

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En este podcast, Gabye comparte su profunda trayectoria de identidad, resiliencia y supervivencia como mujer transgénero de Honduras. Relata sus luchas con la aceptación familiar, el rechazo social y los desafíos de vivir en un entorno hostil. Tras enfrentar la violencia y la discriminación, emigró a Estados Unidos, donde se enfrentó a nuevos desafíos, como la adicción a sustancias, el diagnóstico de VIH y la sobriedad. A través de sus experiencias, enfatiza la importancia del apoyo comunitario, el empoderamiento y la lucha contra el estigma, encontrando finalmente la fuerza en su identidad y el deseo de defender a otras personas de la comunidad LGBTQ.

Gabye a recibido ayuda en Los Ángeles CA de agencias sin fines de lucro como Bienestar Human Services, Royal Palms, Translatina Coalition y APAIT entre otras.

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Este podcast explora la trayectoria vital de Miranda Torres, una mujer transgénero venezolana que ha estado viviendo con VIH durante ya cinco años. Comparte sus experiencias de haber crecido en una familia amorosa, sus dificultades para aceptarse y los desafíos que enfrentó tras su diagnóstico. Miranda emigró a México en agosto de 2024 y enfrentó muchas dificultades por el camino. En Tijuana recibe el apoyo de La Casita de Unión Trans. Miranda enfatiza la importancia del apoyo comunitario, la salud mental y el amor propio. También habla de sus aspiraciones para el futuro y su deseo de empoderar a otras personas en situaciones similares. 

Este podcast fue grabado en Tijuana, México con la  valiosa contribución de Juan Conant  la Farmacia AHF y de  Marta Robles de Christie's Place.

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Mama Pepper, a trans woman living with HIV for nearly two decades, shares her journey of identity, family dynamics, and resilience.  From her early struggles with acceptance to her diagnosis and advocacy work, she emphasizes the importance of support, forgiveness, and self-love. Her story highlights the challenges faced by transgender individuals and the power of community and faith in overcoming adversity. She emphasizes the importance of forgiveness in her healing process, her faith plays a significant role in her resilience, she is a minister of Unity. Mama Pepper aims to be remembered as a loving and stylish figure in the community; she facilitates a support group for transgender women called Diamonds in the Rough. 

This episode was in recorded in San Diego, CA  with the collaboration of Christie's Place. 

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Lady Diana shares her profound journey as a long-term HIV survivor and transgender woman, detailing her challenging upbringing, experiences of bullying, the discovery of her gender identity, and the impact of her HIV diagnosis. Through her story, she emphasizes the importance of family support, community, and open conversations about sexual health and identity. In this podcast, Lady Diana shares her journey of navigating identity, belonging, and the challenges she faced as a trans woman living with HIV. She discusses the impact of cultural expectations, the political climate affecting marginalized communities, and her personal achievements, including her education and the establishment of Casita Feliz, a nonprofit organization focused on LGBTQ+ in Fresno CA. Lady Diana emphasizes the importance of self-love, acceptance, and surrounding oneself with supportive individuals as key elements for a fulfilling life. Visit Lady Diana page in Instagram.

Confessions Season 6 is brought to you by LAFAN in collaboration with Christie’s Place and REACH LA. 

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In this episode, Wanda shares her profound journey of living with HIV for 40 years, detailing her initial diagnosis, the challenges she faced, and the importance of community support and the misconception that HIV was only a gay disease was prevalent. She reflects on her experiences with treatment, the evolution of HIV medication, and her advocacy for awareness and education as well as the crucial services provided by medical clinics and agencies in San Diego CA., like UCSD, Being Alive and Christie’s Place. Wanda emphasizes the significance of hope and resilience in the face of adversity, encouraging others to seek support and live fully.

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In this story, Johneisha shares her powerful journey of living with HIV since her diagnosis in 2008. She discusses her upbringing, the challenges she faced as a young adult. She became a teen mom at 16 and faced significant hardships, including homelessness and the loss of her son's father.

She narrates the traumatic experience that led to her diagnosis. Johneisha emphasizes the importance of education, community support, and advocacy for women living with HIV. She reflects on her personal losses, including the death of her son, and how these experiences have shaped her resilience and commitment to helping others. Through her story, she inspires hope and empowerment for those facing similar challenges at Christie’s Place in San Diego CA., where she currently works providing support services to women with HIV. She was recently promoted from Medical Case Manager to Research and Aging Coordinator.  

In the United States, over 50% of people living with HIV are aged 50 or older, and this number is projected to increase, with an estimated 70% being over 50 by 2030. 

Visit Johneisha's Instagram page.

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In this conversation, Alicia shares her profound journey of living with HIV, reflecting on her childhood experiences of dysfunction and domestic violence, early relationships marked by trauma, and her eventual diagnosis. Through her story, she emphasizes resilience, the importance of self-discovery, and the healing process, while also addressing the stigma surrounding HIV and the need for open conversations about sexual health. In this conversation, Alicia shares her profound journey of living with HIV, beginning with her diagnosis just months before her wedding. She navigates the complexities of relationships, trauma, and the impact of her diagnosis on her family. Alicia discusses her advocacy work and her path to become a cochair of The Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA), the importance of community support, and her experiences with various HIV treatments. She has also been featured in the magazine Positively Aware about health and fitness while living with HIV. She emphasizes the need for unity in the face of political challenges affecting public health and the lives of those living with HIV. 

Visit Alicia's social media platforms here:

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

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In this podcast, Kim shares her profound journey of living with HIV since birth, detailing her upbringing in Brooklyn shaped by her grandmother, her experiences with healthcare, motherhood, and her advocacy work. She reflects on the challenges and triumphs she has faced, including the stigma associated with HIV, her decision to start medication, and the importance of mental health support through therapy. Kim also discusses her accomplishments, including her education and the establishment of her own company, emphasizing her commitment to living fully and advocating for others in the community through The Well Project, a non-profit organization that supports and highlights the experiences of women who are long-term survivors of HIV. They use the term "Dandelions Movement" to identify and represent this unique community of women.  Kim shares her journey of living with HIV, discussing the challenges she faces daily, her aspirations for the future, and the importance of finding community and support. She emphasizes the significance of embracing life, navigating relationships, and encouraging other women living with HIV to find their tribe. Kim's story is one of resilience, personal growth, and the pursuit of education, as she aims to obtain her master's degree in social work while advocating for others in similar situations. Follow Kim's work on Instagram @perfectlyimperfect_kim and learn more about the Dandelions Movement here!

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Madalena is a very young woman. She was diagnosed with HIV in August of 2023 at the age of 21 years old. In this episode, she shares her personal journey of living with HIV, discussing her diagnosis, the impact on her life, and the importance of advocacy and awareness. She emphasizes the need for open conversations about HIV, the support from family and friends, and the challenges of managing health and relationships. Madalena also highlights the significance of mental health and therapy in her journey, as well as her aspirations for community involvement and education. Madalena is a Tik Tokker and frequent user of social media platforms, where she openly shares her HIV status and promotes awareness and prevention.

Follow Madalena's story on Instagram @mis.u.understood and TikTok @Mis.u.understood11. 

Check out Bunnie XO's podcast, Dumb Blonde Productions, here!

Support the show

This podcast is brought to you by the Los Angeles Family AIDS Network