Something Positive for Positive People

Showing support to someone opening up about their positive HSV status is a challenge on both ends. The person who chose to disclose to you feels safe doing so. Many times they may not NEED anything from you but to listen. They just may need to say it out loud. The best thing you can do is allow them to say what they have to say. Be present with them. And as someone disclosing, allow the other person to have their feelings about it as well. Herpes disclosures are awkward on all sides because we just don't know how the other person feels about it so we have to gauge emotions in that often awkward silence, and that's okay.

This episode is useful to anyone who may not have had anyone disclose to them yet, or recently someone has disclosed to you and you are seeking guidance to navigate the conversation. The person disclosing fears judgment that their character is now that of the stigma. Assure them they are not the stigma by encouraging them to challenge their beliefs about the stigma to their experience. Destigmatizing herpes starts with the people who have herpes.

Stay Positive!

A good scare creates space for empathy. Think of all the times fear drove you to seek knowledge. Fellow HANDS member, Carlee and I discuss her experience after her HSV diagnosis and how she's managed it and been able to be so open about it in order to help others.

Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast to show your support and help us get more amazing guests who are open about their diagnosis and help others find the emotional aftercare necessary after a positive diagnosis.

Carlee is on Instagram @itscarleefit and I'm @HOnMyChest

Stay Positive!

Erin Devost hosts the Herp A Derp Podcast whose purpose is to empower the community to break the herpes stigma. She shares her experience that led her to openly discussing her experiences after her HSV diagnosis in hopes of assisting others in navigating their own experiences. Having never been in a relationship, now having to disclose gave her less hope of being in one. Here's how she got to where she is now.

Listen to Herp A Derp Podcast on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvDpnhUVksIxQhYFj2SgPPQ

Follow the Herp A Derp Podcast Facebook page and Erin is on Instagram @herpaderppodcast

I'm on social media @HOnMyChest!

*Trigger Warning - We are continuing the discussion with Genie from Part 1 of episode 64, Understanding Abuse. In this episode's conclusion, we see how justice was served for our survivor who used her HSV-2 (primarily genital herpes) diagnosis as fuel to get out of a bad situation.

Thanks to Sex Positive Families for providing useful resources to help us navigate challenging conversations around sex especially with our families and youth. A useful resource on this is: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/how-to-talk-to-kids-sexual-abuse_us_5c3fac5ee4b027c3bbbdb667 Please follow @sexpositive_families on Instagram for much more info.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, please visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline's website: https://www.thehotline.org/help/help-for-friends-and-family/

Please if you are a survivor of domestic/sexual violence/abuse DO NOT feel like you have to listen to this episode or part 2. It was important that this be easy to listen to and that we see an example of a survivor coming forward and having justice served.

I'm on social media @HOnMyChest!

Stay Positive!

*Trigger Warning - This interview was bumped up in light of the Surviving R. Kelly documentary. @VRFreeny shouted out the podcast on January 5, 2019 just saying for people to check it out. I haven't watched the documentary nor do I plan to. Genie, (this guest) and I had been talking about setting up a recording for after the pending episodes have been posted, but she and I both felt compelled to get together as soon as possible.

Part 1 of this episode helps us understand Genie's abuse. Part 2 is where we see justice served.

Thanks to Sex Positive Families for providing useful resources to help us navigate challenging conversations around sex especially with our families and youth. A useful resource on this is: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/how-to-talk-to-kids-sexual-abuse_us_5c3fac5ee4b027c3bbbdb667 Please follow @sexpositive_families on Instagram for much more info.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, please visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline's website: https://www.thehotline.org/help/help-for-friends-and-family/

Please if you are a survivor of domestic/sexual violence/abuse DO NOT feel like you have to listen to this episode or part 2. It was important that this be easy to listen to and that we see an example of a survivor coming forward and having justice served.

I'm on social media @HOnMyChest!

Stay Positive!

KellyAnne and I recorded this podcast around a time we were both doing some deep healing with traumatic events in our lives and the timing couldn't have been more perfect as we both share how we've been able to work through our healing. I took time to grieve the passing of my grandmother who's funeral was on my 13th birthday. The feelings that continued to emerge around that time of year for me had gone unchecked and I finally took responsibility for how to respond to my emotions.

KellyAnne is a herpes activist who does so much cool spiritual work and can be found on Instagram @ v_for_vibrant.

She's also a member of HANDS (Herpes Activists Networking to Dismantle Stigma) which more episodes featuring members are to follow.

I'm on social media @HOnMyChest!

Stay Positive!

Self Love Coach, Danielle Bryan (@Daniellebryanxo on Instagram) shares so many gems from her experience navigating the darkest time of her life and learning the ongoing lessons from that time to apply that to helping others. She remains committed to learning her own magic and guiding women to their own as well.

Be sure to call in or DM @Datingpositives to answer this week's question; "What is the most awkward conversation you had about sex?" 833-YAS-LOVE That's 833-927-5683

We're growing ya'll! Thank you for the feedback! Thank you for your engagements with the show helping us get to this point.

I'm on Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr and Reddit @HOnMyChest!

Stay Positive!

There is no known cure for herpes at the time of recording of this podcast. This is me sharing my experience in how a sense of community has played a huge role in my own healing process. It hit me when I read Sex At Dawn by Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jetha. Originally I was seeking it for its content on nonmonogamy and the word community really resonated with me and I realize in hindsight just how useful it was for me to have a community, and how I see it as a tool for healing among so many others after their diagnosis.

I didn't edit this. Emily and I spoke in authenticity ;) this excuses my stutters and umms lol. I hope you enjoy!

Stay Positive!

There comes a time where we spend so much time being drained by negative emotions that we just get tired. In that space we begin to discover something inside ourselves, a desire for change. Devin shares just how her being tired led to her discovery of her own power through one of the most uncomfortable things we can do being HSV+ and that's publicly disclose.

Devin is on Instagram @lovealwaysdev and is the founder of Love Profound, a resource for women who want to tap into their courage to find peace and freedom after battling the shame of an STI diagnosis.

As always, I'm on Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr and Reddit @HOnMyChest. To show support for the show you can always leave an anonymous 5 star rating and review. Please support our sponsors so we can continue to provide better audio quality and seek more high profile guests to have on the show.

Stay Positive!

Why's it so tough to seek out what it is we need for support? I think identity validation is what we look for in support spaces. How do we find that? Who's the best source for it? I believe our people who knew us before are the key. .Here's why....