…I’m glad for my tenacity and resilience—continuing to work to decrease the stigma and discrimination that still exists.

My name is Al and I have been living with HIV for 34 years. I have never stopped working, even though I went on disability.

I have continued to work —bringing the face of HIV/AIDS to my community, province, country and global network.

I founded a community-based organization in my community in 1996. This agency has changed over time, as it once dealt with only HIV/AIDS education and awareness, but now works within a Harm Reduction Framework, offering Needle Exchange and Support to individuals at risk of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections.

I have lost so many friends to this dreaded virus, but I am also glad for myself for having lived this long and for having the tenacity and resilience to continue working to decrease the stigma and discrimination that still exists.