Readers Forum: Prison Tale, from the September/October issue of Positively Aware Options

[Root Admin]

A note from a reader:

I am an HIV-positive person currently incarcerated. I am trying to get the prison to start a support group for persons here who are HIV-positive. HIV/AIDS is still a taboo topic in prison, even by those who are living with the disease. I’m trying to gather as much information as I can for myself and the soon-to-be support group.

Before my incarceration I worked as an outreach worker for Prevention Point (needle exchange) and GALAEI (Gay and Lesbian AIDS Education Initiative), both in Philadelphia. I identify as an African American heterosexual male who has been living with HIV since 1994. I don’t know when I became infected, who gave it to me, or how I got it. For five years I lived in denial, having the time of my life sleeping with some beautiful women, gorgeous transvestites, and prostitutes all over. All of this happened after I found out I was HIV-positive, and I was doing all this sexing unprotected. I was dealing drugs and traveling to some wonderful places. I wasn’t a drug addict, so in the so-called “hood” I was what they call a ghetto superstar. Well, I ended up going to prison and realizing that if I didn’t change my life I was going to die. So, I took advantage of all the organizations in Philadelphia available for HIV-positive people. Through those agencies I got my own apartment for the first time, I got all the help I needed emotionally, and I even took a class at Philadelphia FIGHT called Project TEACH, which I graduated from. I must tell you that was my first time graduating from anything. Some of the things that happened for me are unbelievable. Working at the homeless shelter, doing outreach work, and speaking at Temple University with Magic Johnson. Even though he didn’t show up, it was just an honor to be on the same program. This may sound crazy, but HIV saved my life. If I had never found out I was infected, I would be still living that same destructive lifestyle. Presently I am incarcerated for something I did prior to my 180-degree turn around from quote unquote “street thug” to AIDS activist. I want you to let all the people living with this disease know that we are in this together! I know you’ve heard plenty of stories like mine and it may not seem any more unique than anyone else’s story. Well, it’s unique to me because I lived it. Keep up the good work.

Larry Watson, White Deer, PA