July 27, 2021 BY imani leave a comment
Billy Porter, a world-renowned actor and performer, has broken his silence on his HIV diagnosis earlier this year. Billy Porter had been living in silence and shame for long 14 years before he finally felt comfortable to share his story with his mom, his colleagues, and the world.
For many years, Billy Porter was communicating with the world through his character on Pose. Pray Tell, the character played by Porter, was diagnosed as HIV-positive and had to learn to live with that. Through his character, Porter was able to share valuable insight with his audience without having to reveal his own experience with HIV.
After 14 years of living in shame, Billy Porter spoke about his diagnosis to The Hollywood Reporter. The actor said the 2020 lockdown gave him a lot of time to think about his health and life as a whole. He felt he couldn’t be happy and he had to “come clean”, for his own sake.
After being met with overwhelming support from his family and colleagues, Porter could breathe a sigh of relief. There is still stigma about AIDS and HIV, and we cannot deny that. Porter is no longer going to let his diagnosis define him, and you shouldn’t either. There are undeniable lifestyle changes that go with an HIV-positive diagnosis, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Porter’s example shows that though hiding behind shame and guilt can be comfortable, it will never lead to a happy life. Live each day to the fullest, and be open with yourself and your loved ones. Those who can’t see past your diagnosis don’t deserve you. Most importantly, take the necessary precautions to stay as healthy as you can. Visit your doctor regularly and ask questions about your health. HIV is not a death sentence and you can still live a long and happy life!