Danny Roberts was a member of the cast on MTV’s The Real World: New Orleans (2000). His storyline was noteworthy because at the time he was dating Paul, a US Army captain. This was during the era of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” so if his boyfriend was shown on camera, Paul would risk being court-martialed and dishonorably discharged. (As were more than 1,200 servicemembers that year.)
After the show ended and for several years after, Roberts spoke at schools across the country on sexuality, coming out, public policy, and the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, and other LGBT advocacy. By 2006, he and Paul had broken up.
In 2011, Roberts learned he was HIV-positive.
“Those early years were very difficult and very lonely. You don’t know whom to turn to have a conversation, and people don’t know what to say.”
Fortunately, Roberts is currently “undetectable,” which means that his viral load is so low it can’t be measured by a blood test and, according to the CDC, that it’s unlikely the virus can be sexually transmitted from one person to another.
Roberts continues to speak out on LGBT issues. He hopes to help others avoid the pain he endured.
“I had so many negative feelings I was forced to face. I’ve been on such a journey to overcome that. In a way, this has really been like my second coming out.”
