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Author Topic: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive  (Read 8703 times)

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Offline ChaplinGuy

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Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« on: February 22, 2007, 11:49:21 am »

I thought that'd get everyone's attention.

But the reason for this post is to ask a question:

Given all of the medical advances and public exhaustion on the issue of HIV/AIDS, do you think an announcement from a celebrity that they are HIV positive today would have an impact? In other words, if some of the known high riskers (drugs, sex) of today's pop-culture (Lyndsey Lohan, Colin Ferrell, Pam Anderson, etc) disclosed tomorrow, would it be as relevant as it was with Magic Johnson, Arthur Ashe, or Greg Louganis?

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #1 on: February 22, 2007, 11:56:30 am »
Yes, it would have an impact.  But perhaps not as big as when Magic announced.  That was a feeding frenzy.  Also would depend on who it is.  Like, imagine Brad Pitt announcing he was HIV+

ps:  have you seen Brad on the cover of the new Interview.  Still looks fab in his 40's!
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline AustinWesley

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2007, 12:07:35 pm »
I think it's well past time for one of them to come forward.   I'm stunned it's been what 15 years since anyone has.  However, I have no idea who this Ashe person is.

Pam's already told everyone she has Hep., or well does she?  She made sort of a mess out of that.

I think it depends on the celebrity.   I don't know what that other post was about Kelly Osborne outing some relative or whatever.

We all know that there have to be celebrities with HIV .   You'd think at least one of em would have the Balls to come forward by now.

And for all Magic does he's really not on tv much.  All anyone cares about is Africa so I guess it probably wouldn't make the impact now.

I think Britney Spears or one of the other trashy starlets could make a huge impact.   
Diag. 3/06  Infected aprx. 2 mo. Prior
Date        CD4   %      VL
4/6/06     627    32    36,500     NO MEDS YET!
6/7/06     409    27    36,100
8/23/06   408    25     22,300
1/2/07     354    23     28,700
2/9/07     139    30     23,000  Hep A Vaccine same day???
2/21/07   274    26     18,500 
3/3/07    RX of Truvada/Sustiva Started.
4/5/07    321     27      Undectable 1st mo.  
5/16/07  383     28    Undectable 2nd mo.
8/10/07  422     32   UD <48 on new scale!

Offline poet

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2007, 12:12:46 pm »
My first question would be would we want this person to disclose, would it simply connect the dots between a 'certain' lifestyle and sero-conversion which, in the case of Magic, was anything but the case for the most part.  And since we can't get one obvious gay pop singer to follow Michael Feinstein or one actor to admit that he is even gay, what are the chances?  Win
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Offline aupointillimite

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2007, 12:21:12 pm »
However, I have no idea who this Ashe person is.


He was an African-American professional tennis player.  From Richmond.

Won Wimbledon men's singles in 1975.

He got HIV from a blood transfusion he needed to have for heart surgery and died from AIDS-related complications in 1993.

The City of Richmond put up a statue of Arthur Ashe in 1996 on Monument Avenue.  To date, he's the only person not associated with the Confederacy to be so honored by Richmond. 

Unfortunately, the statue is poorly designed and is something of a joke around here... namely, that it looks like he's beating those kids with a tennis racker.

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Offline AustinWesley

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #5 on: February 22, 2007, 12:27:07 pm »
My first question would be would we want this person to disclose, would it simply connect the dots between a 'certain' lifestyle and sero-conversion which, in the case of Magic, was anything but the case for the most part.  And since we can't get one obvious gay pop singer to follow Michael Feinstein or one actor to admit that he is even gay, what are the chances?  Win

LOL @ the beatings Benj.

But Win you are correct.   It's pretty much got to be a white woman or someone empathetic and innocent like Dolly Parton?
Diag. 3/06  Infected aprx. 2 mo. Prior
Date        CD4   %      VL
4/6/06     627    32    36,500     NO MEDS YET!
6/7/06     409    27    36,100
8/23/06   408    25     22,300
1/2/07     354    23     28,700
2/9/07     139    30     23,000  Hep A Vaccine same day???
2/21/07   274    26     18,500 
3/3/07    RX of Truvada/Sustiva Started.
4/5/07    321     27      Undectable 1st mo.  
5/16/07  383     28    Undectable 2nd mo.
8/10/07  422     32   UD <48 on new scale!

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #6 on: February 22, 2007, 12:29:42 pm »
You mean the lead singer of Erasure didn't count?
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline skeebo1969

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #7 on: February 22, 2007, 12:35:17 pm »
LOL @ the beatings Benj.

  How ironic ???.
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Offline redhotmuslbear

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #8 on: February 22, 2007, 12:37:47 pm »
My first question would be would we want this person to disclose, would it simply connect the dots between a 'certain' lifestyle and sero-conversion which, in the case of Magic, was anything but the case for the most part.  And since we can't get one obvious gay pop singer to follow Michael Feinstein or one actor to admit that he is even gay, what are the chances?  Win

My thoughts exactly, Win.  George Michael (the UK singer, not the sporscaster) coming out as HIV+ would reinforce the perception of Gay men as promiscuous and deservedly diseased.  Similar situation with any of the rehab entrants du jour, even if they are female and heterosexual--it would just feed the negative image of people with addictions.  Then again, the days of transfusion-related transmission are gone, so it becomes a question of someone who can talk openly about their risk behaviors and what s/he could have done differently, e.g. use condoms or clean needles.

As for Pam Anderson, I thought she was out already as hep C-positive, though "it was from a tatoo needle."

You mean the lead singer of Erasure didn't count?

Ummm, no.... really old news for me; and <donning flame-retardant suit> the current pop culture just translates it as "another one [fairy] bites the dust."
"The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do." - BF Skinner
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Offline AustinWesley

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #9 on: February 22, 2007, 12:39:15 pm »
You mean the lead singer of Erasure didn't count?

Interesting point Philly.   I'd forgotten about him.   Hmm, I haven't seen much media coverage about him other than a bit on the LOGO channel.

I think Win's point was it'd have to be someone with credibility that doesn't fit the typical stereotype.  
Diag. 3/06  Infected aprx. 2 mo. Prior
Date        CD4   %      VL
4/6/06     627    32    36,500     NO MEDS YET!
6/7/06     409    27    36,100
8/23/06   408    25     22,300
1/2/07     354    23     28,700
2/9/07     139    30     23,000  Hep A Vaccine same day???
2/21/07   274    26     18,500 
3/3/07    RX of Truvada/Sustiva Started.
4/5/07    321     27      Undectable 1st mo.  
5/16/07  383     28    Undectable 2nd mo.
8/10/07  422     32   UD <48 on new scale!

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #10 on: February 22, 2007, 12:41:11 pm »
I'm convinced George Michael is.  Even if he's not he's a big ole fucking tired drug mess.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline Val

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #11 on: February 22, 2007, 12:55:42 pm »
Well, his boyfriend died of AIDS complications just some years ago...!

Val
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Offline Tucsonwoody

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #12 on: February 22, 2007, 02:50:57 pm »
And don't forget ....someone famous could always be unlucky enough to get HIV by cutting themselves on a piece of glass, right?  At least that's what I have heard is one of the common transmission risks.
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Offline Queen Tokelove

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #13 on: February 22, 2007, 03:06:09 pm »
Honestly, it wouldn't impact me at all, why should it? I'm not trying to be a bitch or anything but why is it so special? It's not like someone famous is gonna come to my crib and wanna know my experiences. Maybe if someone famous get infected they will think about those here in the States that need help. I agree with Wesley on that even though I don't have an issues with the Red Campaign. It states who they are helping. But what about some celebs starting some charity here at home.


(who is kinda emotional today)
Started Atripla/Ziagen on 9/13/07.
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Offline med forum

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #14 on: February 22, 2007, 03:10:42 pm »
I think that it would continue to tell society that anyone can get this.....would it be different than when Magic came out, yeah it would be but I think we would continue to put HIV and AIDS in the forefront. I definitely think that there needs to be more people of celebrity status either coming out and/or taking a stand.
Look at what Bono has managed to do......granted I think he needs to put a little bit more emphasis on
the problem here in the US.....but that's a whole other thread....

I'm curious what more people think about this
Peace & health

Offline zeb

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #15 on: February 22, 2007, 06:36:45 pm »
Well, it would make (some) difference I think. Though I hope nobody gets infected.

So I think it would be a better idea when someone already hiv positive would become a celebrity.

Offline woodshere

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #16 on: February 22, 2007, 11:48:32 pm »
You'd think at least one of em would have the Balls to come forward by now.

Why?  If a person famous or otherwise chooses not to disclose that decision should be respected.  it doesn't mean they don't have the balls.

If a celeb announced he or she was HIV+  it would get its 15 minutes of fame and then be replaced by Brittany's or Paris' next caper. 

I think what has more relevancy is for any HIV+ person to tell their friends and family.  Only by more of us coming "out of the HIV closet" will the stigma of being HIV+ change.  Just last night I told my minister, she said that I was the first person she had ever known that was HIV+ and she was glad I had shared my status with her.

Woods
"Let us give pubicity to HV/AIDS and not hide it..." "One of the things destroying people with AIDS is the stigma we attach to it."   Nelson Mandela

Offline GSOgymrat

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #17 on: February 23, 2007, 12:01:42 am »
That what HIV needs, a new celebrity endorsement.

I would feel so much better about myself if I knew Ryan Seacrest had HIV. There would be tearful interviews on Oprah, shocking E! exclusives about who gave it to him and a Time magazine cover stories on the millions of Americans that walk among us who have HIV. There would be an outpouring of support, Paula would cry... again, and Simon might even give Ryan a hug, which would be shown ad nauseam in slow-mo on every news channel. Everyone loves Ryan and therefore everyone would love me. Because somehow Ryan Seacrest having HIV matters but Alanbama or Queen Akasha or Matty (who isn't even American) having HIV doesn't.

Offline HIVworker

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #18 on: February 23, 2007, 12:07:34 am »
Why the hell do they need to be infected to talk about it?
NB. Any advice about HIV is given in addition to your own medical advice and not intended to replace it. You should never make clinical decisions based on what anyone says on the internet but rather check with your ID doctor first. Discussions from the internet are just that - Discussions. They may give you food for thought, but they should not direct you to do anything but fuel discussion.

Offline jkinatl2

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #19 on: February 23, 2007, 12:10:22 am »
Crap like that irritates me. And yeah, I am probably more irritable these days, but the culture of celebrity is such a turnoff.

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Offline HIVworker

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #20 on: February 23, 2007, 01:18:39 am »
Elton John talks about HIV all the time. He rocks....but that's his job to rock.
NB. Any advice about HIV is given in addition to your own medical advice and not intended to replace it. You should never make clinical decisions based on what anyone says on the internet but rather check with your ID doctor first. Discussions from the internet are just that - Discussions. They may give you food for thought, but they should not direct you to do anything but fuel discussion.

Offline Miss Philicia

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #21 on: February 23, 2007, 08:47:34 am »
I was never into Elton's music but he DOES rock.
"I’ve slept with enough men to know that I’m not gay"

Offline ARMANDO

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #22 on: February 23, 2007, 09:02:45 am »
i think if someone like PARIS HILTON came out and said that she was hiv+,people would be startled and it would be a headline for days just like ANNA NICOLES' DEATH.IN THE END people would be none the wiser.in my opinion i would love for paris hilton to get infected!!

Offline ARMANDO

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Re: Major celebrity to announce he's HIV positive
« Reply #23 on: February 23, 2007, 09:04:58 am »
ELTON JOHN IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A CELEBRITY THAT  IS HIV+.HE HAS DONE GOOD WORK IN THE BATTLE TO FIND A CURE !

 


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