When the doctor told me that my test results came back positive // that was the last thing that it was expecting. I could see her, like, moving and I could see her lips moving, but I didn’t hear anything that she was saying. at that time I was, maybe, two months away from transitioning. So, that was, like, one of the major concerns, too, like, was me living with HIV going to prevent me from transitioning. I wanted to be healthy. I knew that, but at the same time I didn’t feel like having HIV was going to be enough for me to compromise my transition. I don’t think medical providers understand that they are, like, our access to, living healthy and being our true authentic selves.
My mom grew up in the like, ’70s and ‘80s. nobody was talking about, trans youth or like, trans people as much as they are not. But I will say that my mom went out of her way to make sure that I felt loved and supported and that she is very proud of me, of the work that I’m doing, and just, like, how open and honest and just, like, unafraid that I am to just live my life. I know for a fact that my mom will tell me I have not been to the doctor before the doctor has. I think that that’s her way of, like, showing me, she loves me and that she, really cares,
And I think that that – that to me, like, keeps me going, like, on the really hard days, the days that I don’t want to take the medicine, the days that I’m like, I don’t want to sit in this doctor’s office.
And so, part of me living is for myself and part of me living is for the people in my life that support me. I feel like it’s my duty to do that.
Bre did not let her diagnosis get in the way of transitioning. With the support of family and her health care providers, she was able to continue with her transition while being treated for HIV.
Your doctor can work with you to ensure you stay healthy and your transition is not negatively affected. A good health care provider will meet you where you are and work with you to stay healthy and in care. Your provider should not be judgmental or make you feel uncomfortable. If it doesn’t feel like the right fit, find a new provider.
Let your doctor know about your physical and mental health, your sexual history, any medications or substances you’re taking, and trauma you’ve experienced.
