I have been working with being HIV positive way before it went mainstream, actually testing in late 1985 upon the use of elimination realized 2 of my previous colleagues had died and the other was in denial. Remember this is all taking place in the mid 80’s and HIV/AIDS had just been discovered. December 15, 1985 during my lunch break I was too call the CDC here in OKC to get my results, did I mention by phone? Anyway after the initial shock hearing of my HIV status with the positive side of having 6 months to live, no pun intended. Finally needing to get back to my then promising career as a Hair Traffic Controller attending the Shampoo Academy of Hair needed to check my “weak” emotions” at the door and get back before my lunch break making me late and would be sent home for a 3 x’s tardy. You need to know this about me for I am a people person and do you know I stayed the entire day and though known to be a bit of a drama queen decided best not to milk it and my juicy gossip for those early times even amongst the neutrals where most of my “stereotype” lives and breathes. Anyway it is now 2008 and after living/speaking/working/organizing, and becoming the first HIV positive International Male Supermodel when appearing or outing my story on the cover of POZ magazine Feb/March 1995. Starting my own HIV/AIDS Charity with the help of too many to list called Open Your Heart foundation. I have been promoted too what some old timers still call “Full Blown AIDS” and when this JOB and it is a damn job living with this disease starting at the age of 17 and now dealing with so much and more at 41. Promotions were bittersweet because usually most of my competition either died, went underground, or moved overseas. I was a successful entrepreneur in Home Health care, and Medical Executive with my around the world International Male modeling career/dancing glamorous life. So you see if you need someone who knows the inn’s and out’s of HIV/AIDS I am your man. Do not contact me for my HAART regime for we all are different and there is no secret as to why one lives longer or does better. I had been in the latter group but now have come to the realization I too cannot beat this bastard. 25 years what a bitch huh? So here is my Shout out to all the HIV+ peeps who think it is a gift to be exposed to HIV–enjoy your sex parties and your ritual of choosing “THE ONE” who will transmit their mutated version of their virus into you. One thing I had on my side was living in the sticks and the HIV strain I contracted may or may not have had something to do with me still living because of it possibly being weaker and also was and still am in a 25 plus relationship. Yes I exposed him but not on purpose long story too I will share with you sometime or just go to my good ole website as ancient as it may seem www.thomcollins.com
Anyway after the initial shock hearing of my HIV status with the positive side of having 6 months to live, no pun intended. Finally needing to get back to my then promising career as a Hair Traffic Controller attending the Shampoo Academy of Hair needed to check my “weak” emotions” at the door and get back before my lunch break making me late and would be sent home for a 3 x’s tardy. You need to know this about me for I am a people person and do you know I stayed the entire day and though known to be a bit of a drama queen decided best not to milk it and my juicy gossip for those early times even amongst the neutrals where most of my “stereotype” lives and breathes. Anyway it is now 2008 and after living/speaking/working/organizing, and becoming the first HIV positive International Male Supermodel when appearing or outing my story on the cover of POZ magazine Feb/March 1995. Starting my own HIV/AIDS Charity with the help of too many to list called Open Your Heart foundation. I have been promoted too what some old timers still call “Full Blown AIDS” and when this JOB and it is a damn job living with this disease starting at the age of 17 and now dealing with so much and more at 41. Promotions were bittersweet because usually most of my competition either died, went underground, or moved overseas. I was a successful entrepreneur in Home Health care, and Medical Executive with my around the world International Male modeling career/dancing glamorous life. So you see if you need someone who knows the inn’s and out’s of HIV/AIDS I am your man. Do not contact me for my HAART regime for we all are different and there is no secret as to why one lives longer or does better. I had been in the latter group but now have come to the realization I too cannot beat this bastard. 25 years what a bitch huh? So here is my Shout out to all the HIV+ peeps who think it is a gift to be exposed to HIV–enjoy your sex parties and your ritual of choosing “THE ONE” who will transmit their mutated version of their virus into you. One thing I had on my side was living in the sticks and the HIV strain I contracted may or may not have had something to do with me still living because of it possibly being weaker and also was and still am in a 25 plus relationship. Yes I exposed him but not on purpose long story too I will share with you sometime or just go to my good ole website as ancient as it may seem Thom Collins
