#HeIsValuable

#HeIsValuable is the story of two, black gay guys who don't let HIV stand in the way of any aspect of life. We are telling OUR story through pictures, words, family/friends, education and our other findings!Hey World!  I'm Kendall T. Boone, Jr. (HIV Negative)!    *Waves from the other side of the blog* Hey Ladies and Gents! I'm  Richard A. Hutchinson, Jr (HIV Positive). Click through our pictures and take a peek into our world as we recreate the narrative of Black Queer men around HIV/AIDS! Remember together we are greater than this epidemic! We are all Valuable! You are Valubale!!  #HeIsValuable!                                                                                             

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On this day, June 19th, 2015, I tested positive for HIV. Wow! It's ONLY been a year. But damn it's really been a WHOLE year! I'm trying to fathom the emotions that I am feeling on today. It's seems to be so many feelings at one time rushing to me. Pride. Sadness. Determined. Happiness. Hopeful. Surprised. Hurt. Blessed. I could go on... But in this year I have made it a point to not allow my HIV status stop my life in any way. Instead, my HIV has elevated me in so many personal, professional, psychological and spiritual ways. I stand pride to say that HIV has not and will not stand in the way of me thriving. I AM A PROUD YOUNG, GAY, BLACK MAN wrapped in BUTCH QUEEN REALNESS serving BLACK GAY MAGIC and THRIVING WITH HIV. I stand so strong, confident and intentional to show my black queer brothers both infected and affected by HIV to know that you are valuable, your are worthy and you are more than your HIV status. No matter what his status is, He Is Valuable! The journey of those who live a HeIsValuable Poz life it is not an easy one, not a walk through the park and there is so much work more work to be done. Believe me I know day in and day out. However, you listen to me when I tell you this.... HIV WILL NOT stand in the way of your life unless you allow it to. HIV is living with me not that I am living with HIV. Let me say it one more time. HIV is living with Me, not that I am living with HIV. Know that you're loved. Love yourself enough to know your status. Love yourself enough to take care of that status either way. Thank you all for all your love, support and words of encouragement through my one year journey. There is many many many more years to come! #HeIsValuable #OneYearLater #SpeakOutHIV #HIVTreatmentWorks #blackgaylivesmatter #BlackGayMagic heisvaluable.tumblr.com

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“I love you bro! I am my Brother’s keeper”

Hey guys! I want y'all to meet my B to the third, Josh and we are here at #SOS2016 conference in Memphis and its first time we both have taken our meds together. Josh is HeIsValuable (-) and had been thinking about PrEp for awhile. A few months ago, he decided to jump on board and I have supported him.

Josh says: “There are many ways to say, "I love you bro.” And sometimes it can be as simple as taking our medications together. Or checkin in to see how the other is feeling, like my bro did when I initially started Prep. I am my brothers keeper and I promise to always do my part to make sure he’s healthy, safe, valued and loved"

Black gay men empowering, encouraging and educating each other to live happy, healthy and whole to

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#HeIsValuable #Better #better #blackgaylivesmatter #PrEP #HIVTreatmentWorks #SpeakOutHIV

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I'm feeling particularly empowered and valued today! I am totally ready for the 4th Annual Saving Ourselves Symposium in Memphis! #better #SOS2016 because I know that the Black LGBT community is truly "Built For Better!" It's a great day To be Young, Black, Gay and positively HIV positive wrapped in Butch Queen Realness serving #BlackGayMagic! Yessss Ma'am! Yes! I know that so many of my brothers who are riding the same train don't always have the space to be able to say such a self affirming statement and that's why I say it! I say it for US, to let every Black Gay Man that #HeIsValuable! I am here to let Black Gay Men know that we will tell OUR own narrative with OUR voices by OUR own means! Our lives matter! We are than just a 1 in 2 statistic! We are more then just Black MSM! We are more then an "At-Risk" population! Yes, HIV is OUR issue but with all the Black Gay Magic that we possess it will the 2 out of 2 of us that will change the way this epidemic tries to tear down the beauty of black gay existences! We are Valuable! Gay, Bi, Poz, Negative, Femme, Butch, Top or Bottom #HeIsValuable I love your Black Gay existence and know that you are a Beautiful Black Gay King! 😘

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In honor of #EggplantFriday ... Have fun, Get your LIFE, and Be HIV Healthy!! Being the insertive partner (a top) is less a risk of contracting HIV than being the receptive partner (bottom), but the RISK is still there! There's several things to consider when having sex with someone, whether you're a top OR bottom OR vers! Are you cut or uncut? If you're negative, when was your last test? If you're positive, are you taking your medications? What are your counts (viral load and CD4 count)? Do you know his status? Does he know yours? Do you know yours? None of this is to say, "don't have sex." I would NEVER say that. Sex is fun. Sex is pleasurable. Sex is ah-mazing! So, if you're going to have sex, be smart about it. There's several options out there for you. PrEP Treatment as Prevention Condoms Female condoms PEP & don't forget the lube!! Water based is best, silicone is good too. Do. Not. Use. Lotion, baby oil, Vaseline, etc. Don't have lube? Spit on it. It's water based!! Have sex. Have fun. Be smart. Know your status and stay HIV healthy! #HeIsValuable www.heisvaluable.tumblr.com

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My name is Richard A. Hutchinson, Jr. I am a gay black-American male with that Northern boy swagg. Jersey boy, to be exact! I love fashion, but I'm in love with with a more contemporary/urban/whateverifeellikeputtingonanditturnsoutfresh twist. I'm BeyHive till I die. Word! I'm always on CPT, but when I show-up I show-out. I bleed ambition, hard-working, goofy, fun-filled, family-oriented and caring. I'm a son, a best friend, a brista, a brother, a father, and I am HIV positive. I'm always looking for the next move to make something happen in my life and the lives of those around me. My favorite explorative is "word!" I love to dance, I love sex. I have way too many shoes, I love thrifting. I love sex! I'm planning on going back to school soon to continue my education. And I have an undying appreciation and love for sex. No one part of my identity is singularly more important or defines who I am more than the other. I am more than my HIV status. I am constantly aware of my HIV status, my viral load (undetectable prevents transmission), and my CD4 (the more the better), and staying HIV healthy is my priority in any situation. My meds, My TRIUMEQ is my GOOD, GOOD JUDY! I make sure I know my status, and my partner knows his. I cannot break apart the pieces of me - and I wouldn't want to. All parts of me work together constantly to makeup the whole of me. My HIV status doesn't define who I am, I do. #HeIsValuable heisvaluable.tumblr.com #Viiv #triumeq #speakouthiv #greaterthanaids

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My name is Kendall T. Boone, Jr. I am BeyHive, male, black-American, hailing from the Deep South and I'm gay. I'm indecisive, ambitious, all-around-music-lover, peanut butter fanatic with a rude attitude and a genuine heart. I am multi-talented, multi-faceted and working on being multi-lingual. And I am HIV-negative. I love to turn up, travel, and twerk. I have no idea what my future holds, but I know failure is not an option. I love sex. I plan to go back to school for my MPH soon. I love sex. I enjoy debating because I am usually right. And I love sex. No one part of my identity is singularly more important or defines who I am more than the other. I am more than my HIV status. I am constantly aware of my HIV status, make sure I take my #PrEP daily (because that's the HIV prevention method I've chosen to take), and staying HIV healthy is my priority in any situation. I make sure I know my status, and my partner knows his. I cannot break apart the pieces of me - and I wouldn't want to. All parts of me work together constantly to makeup the whole of me. My HIV status doesn't define who I am, I do. #HeIsValuable heisvaluable.tumblr.com #prep #gilead #hivlivesmatter #hivhealthy #greaterthanaids #speakouthiv

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Hello #HeIsValuable Family! Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day! On this day the Black community comes together to raise awareness about the impact of HIV on our community. We pledge to be Our Brother's and Our Sister's Keeper! This means that we challenge ourselves to understand that #ALLBlackLivesMatter.... GET EDUCATED! There is no secret that Black gay lives are often left to battle not only the world but struggled to be recognized as pillars, pioneers or even simply people in the Black community. Today, We challenge you not only to Get EDUCATED on the facts of HIV/AIDS but open your minds and hearts to understand the lives of Black gay men and how HIV is one many negative outcomes as a result of things such as racism and homophobia. We are your Brothers, your sons, your nephews, your best friends, your hair stylists, your teammates, your coworkers, your bankers, and more! We need to be kept by not only ourselves but the larger Black community. So get out today and Get Educated! #HeIsValuable supports #NBHAAD heisvaluable.tumblr.com http://nationalblackaidsday.org

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Hey y'all it's Rich! I really need you guys to know that HIV shouldn't stand in the way of your Sex or Your Sexy! Rich: We have to get real, raw and right to the point! If we can't talk about what we like to do sexually then subsequently we demote the importance of talking about HIV status, CD4, Viral loads, Condoms, PREP , LUBE or any other sexual health tools to keep us HIV healthy. I Challenge you! Spark conversations with your Bae, your hook up, your FWB, your Trade, Your Bottom and whatever else or whoever else tinkles your fancy! Before y'all get it poppin actually talk about sex! Talk about status! Talk about protection! Talk about health! Talk about fetishes! Theses conversations could save our lives! Wait! Kendall! We haven't heard from you in a minute! What do you think baby daddy?!! *waves* Hey y'all it's Yonce from The Gambia! Kendall: And these conversations don't have to be anything super technical, but they do require you to open up a little!! If you like to deepthroat, tell him! If you love to eat the cakes, let him know! If you've been able to reach and keep your HIV healthy status since June of last year, let him know! It doesn't have to be "top or bottom?" Don't put yourself in a box! I love it all. Topping, bottoming, flipping, sucking, anything that'll please me and my partner! I also know I know what it's like to burn when I pee, so I tell him I'm down for whatever, but the glove stays on! Stay safe but always Stay Sexy! Because we will and still be HIV Healthy... You are Valuable! Kendall you are valuable! Rich you are valuable! We are valuable! Y'all are Valuable! *Points to you* #HeIsValuable heisvaluable.tumblr.com

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HIV shouldn't stand in the way of YOUR SEXY! No Matter what your status is (HIV - or +) you better EMBRACE your SEXY! Knowing your status allows you to be healthy, happy and SEXY! #HeIsValuable heisvaluable.tumblr.com

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The great Marlon Riggs once made the world stop by artistically and eloquently professing that Black men loving Black men is THE revolutionary act!“.

As we carry on, we have to really sit and ponder about such a powerful statement. Some 25 years later, this is an aphorism that speaks tremendous volumes about our lives as black gay men. The revolt is rooted in our confronting of racism, homophobia and marginalization that makes it so much harder to love each other. We are broken hearted, unloved trying to love each other with wounded hearts, toxic minds and tarnished souls.

It is this very oppression that leads us to be at risk for HIV and other negative health outcomes. Studies show that HIV causes much higher rates of depression amongst black gay men. In most cases, we are already depressed, broken and psychologically disturbed from the oppression we face daily for existing in our blackness, our gayness and our maleness all at the same time.

We can begin to eradicate the depression that is literally killing our community by embracing the power and value of the love we can give each other.

INTIMACY! Black gay men being intimate with each other in a fashion that allows us to unapologetically love each other, heal each other and ignite self worth in each other is a REVOLUTIONARY act.

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As a young gay black male living with HIV, I find enough value in myself to know that I owe it to myself to ask questions and advocate for my health. It a long hard journey for some and much easier for others to get through the clouds of HIV stigma to find that confidence and empowerment.

After being diagnosed with HIV 5 months and 8 days ago , I have finally found the HIV doc for me. Here in Atlanta, I have found a great provider at Absolute Care. He is absolutely the kind of provider that I wish that all young gay black men like myself could be granted access too. It’s is this level of care that will literally save our lives!

Today was my first visit with him and my experience with him left me feeling empowered, valued and like a conqueror. We talked about sex, relationships, viral suppression(undetectable), PREP, condoms, love, relationships and more about STDs. He made my first visit so smooth. He was warm, welcoming, interactive and showed that he cared about my livelihood.

What I found most beautiful and vital was that he provided a space for me to ask as many questions about MY health, MY sex and MY HIV as I needed. Doc Robinson talk to me a lot about sex and HIV today which was a great conversation. He told me that he was going to #swabmybutt (which was great because it was before I even asked).

Anal Pap Life! For Gay men it is important that we get Anal swabs and paps especially if we are having anal receptive (bottoming) sex. (Just wait on more info about this because HIV shouldn’t stand in way of bottoming by any means!)

I love my HIV Doc, Dr. Quentin Robinson! (#AskTheHIVDoc) Finding a great provider is key to remaining HIV Healthy. The Art of ART is more than just my #Triumeq but on human level, the love, support and encouragement I feel from my doctor and others who serve me as a person living with HIV.

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#SpeakOutHIV #ViiVHealthcare #UndetectablesATL

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Bisexual Dudes These Days …. Thot Nigga

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Hmmmmm

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As Black men or men of color who walk the runway of life through a queer/LGBT experience, we are bombarded with a myriad of injustices, inequalities and social ills that devalue our existence. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has been success in helping to push the agenda of our social, psychological,economical and ultimately physical death. Bullshit! We are a strong people, we are a creative people, we are a powerful and resilent people and our lives have value beyond what we could even begin to imagine!  We have to first realize our greatness, fight at the intersections of HIV/AIDS to restore the value that the world has taken from our beautiful black queer existences.  This transcendent greatness will be our port in the storm and we will not only win this fight against HIV/AIDS but we will become a community of people to be reckoned with.  (No T, No Shade) 

Jon Gabriel Ortiz, Atlanta resident and member of Atlanta’s “Undetectables” (social support group for HIV positive men of color to reach viral suppression and be HIV Healthy) reminds us that we can find our greatness even in moments of darkness and despair.  Jon teaches us a lesson of learning to uptake our true value in this poem:

I AM GREATNESS - Jon Gabriel Ortiz 8/17/99

In the midst of the midnight hour while the sun beams drops of sweat on my brow that water bushes and wide trees I come into the reality that… I AM GREATNESS!

Prolific as it may sound, this is what keeps razor blades at bay, pills neatly stacked in bottles, and alcohol in low quantities. I AM GREATNESS.

In the smallness behind the facade… I AM GREATNESS!

In the spit at my feet… I AM GREATNESS!

In the sad look in daddy’s eyes… I AM GREATNESS!

In the absence of condoms… I AM GREATNESS!

In all that I do… both good and bad right and wrong sinful and righteous… I AM GREATNESS!

#HeIsValuable

#Undetectables

#Atlanta #gpoc #HIVAwareness

#blackgaylivesmatter #blacklivesmatter 

#pozlivesmatter

[heisvaluable-blog]

As Black men or men of color who walk the runway of life through a queer/LGBT experience, we are bombarded with a myriad of injustices, inequalities and social ills that devalue our existence. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has been success in helping to push the agenda of our social, psychological,economical and ultimately physical death. Bullshit! We are a strong people, we are a creative people, we are a powerful and resilent people and our lives have value beyond what we could even begin to imagine!  We have to first realize our greatness, fight at the intersections of HIV/AIDS to restore the value that the world has taken from our beautiful black queer existences.  This transcendent greatness will be our port in the storm and we will not only win this fight against HIV/AIDS but we will become a community of people to be reckoned with.  (No T, No Shade) 

Jon Gabriel Ortiz, Atlanta resident and member of Atlanta’s “Undetectables” (social support group for HIV positive men of color to reach viral suppression and be HIV Healthy) reminds us that we can find our greatness even in moments of darkness and despair.  Jon teaches us a lesson of learning to uptake our true value in this poem:

I AM GREATNESS - Jon Gabriel Ortiz 8/17/99

In the midst of the midnight hour while the sun beams drops of sweat on my brow that water bushes and wide trees I come into the reality that… I AM GREATNESS!

Prolific as it may sound, this is what keeps razor blades at bay, pills neatly stacked in bottles, and alcohol in low quantities. I AM GREATNESS.

In the smallness behind the facade… I AM GREATNESS!

In the spit at my feet… I AM GREATNESS!

In the sad look in daddy’s eyes… I AM GREATNESS!

In the absence of condoms… I AM GREATNESS!

In all that I do… both good and bad right and wrong sinful and righteous… I AM GREATNESS!

#HeIsValuable

#Undetectables

#Atlanta #gpoc #HIVAwareness

#blackgaylivesmatter #blacklivesmatter 

#pozlivesmatter

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HIV shouldn’t stand in the way (Of Greatness)

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R: "I can't help but love the F*%$ out of you!" K: "I can love you with my hands tied!" Missing him.. Wanting his existence Wanting his lips Wanting his smell Wanting his eyes Wanting his joy Wanting his voice Wanting his body but I don't have to want for his love! No matter where he goes I still feel his love and he feels mine That is love and that is life Connection. We all yearn to be connected, to be loved and to be valued by someone and an HIV diagnosis should not stop that. In actuality, it is those very sacred connections that will keep an HIV Poz person alive, well and healthy. Healthy relationships are vital to fighting the good fight against HIV. #HeIsValuable HeIsValuable.tumblr.com #TheIllegalFaggot

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Frantiearro aka Frank (right) says that Being apart of a brotherhood is adopting the mindset that "I'm not going nowhere, so your going to have to deal with me for the rest of your life" (but not in a bad way). Brotherhood allows him to hear others stories and from those stories he finds connection, value, love and understanding. Brotherhood has allowed him to find connection to HIV in his community and learn about how his story connects to the larger picture of the Black Gay community. I am now thinking about starting #PREP and from my brothers I become educated on the pros and cons. I can find my way to access it and how to date, love and support someone (especially, another black gay men) who is HIV positive. This includes one his closest friends, Shaquille aka Shaq (left). Shaq says that as a HIV positive #blackgayguy "[brotherhood] supports me by keeping me strong. When I feel like I want to give up i look forward to the support of my brothers to keep me pushing an know that my life is VALUABLE. " Shaq says it's not always easy for him to take his meds on time, everyday but with the love and support his brothers or "bristas"he is reassured of the value of his life so he swallows his #Stribild to make himself and his brothers proud. #Gilead http://m.stribild.com http://start.truvada.com/individual# #HeIsValuable HeIsValuable.tumblr.com